Sub-Saharan Africa

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call, identified as ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE, presents a significant funding opportunity aimed at enhancing higher education partnerships and institutions in eligible third countries, specifically within Sub-Saharan Africa, referred to as Region 9. This initiative is part of the broader Erasmus+ program which aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and aims to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges.

Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from the EU and associated countries, HEIs recognized from eligible third countries, and relevant authorities, particularly in Strand 3 for National Authorities, primarily Ministries of Education. The funding is classified under ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, and the call encourages the formation of consortia comprising multiple applicants. Each consortium should include at least two HEIs from EU Member States or associated countries and two HEIs from eligible third countries, ensuring a diverse partnership aimed at transformative educational efforts.

The targeted geographic scope is Sub-Saharan Africa, with specific focus on developing and modernizing higher education systems that are responsive to local and global needs. The call outlines three distinct strands of funding. Strand 1 focuses on fostering access to education, targeting less experienced HEIs and promoting inclusive educational practices. Strand 2 emphasizes partnerships for transformation, fostering innovative practices and reforms in higher education curricula and governance. Strand 3 supports structural reform projects that involve comprehensive changes across higher education systems, especially in key areas like STEM, governance, and social integration.

The total indicative budget for the 2026 call is approximately €113.1 million, with €25.2 million allocated specifically for Region 9. This budget will support around 35 projects, emphasizing quality, responsiveness, and sustainability in higher education. The funding amounts per strand are: Strand 1 receives €5,621,132, Strand 2 receives €11,126,038, and Strand 3 gets €8,452,830.

Applications for funding are open as of November 26, 2025, with a submission deadline set for February 10, 2026. The process is single-stage, and evaluations will occur from March to June 2026, with results communicated in July and grant agreements planned for November 2026.

This opportunity encourages projects to align with overarching EU priorities which include the Green Deal, digital transformation, integration of migrants, governance, and sustainable growth. Proposed projects must leverage academic capacity building while also addressing local needs and priorities outlined in the Erasmus+ Global Gateway strategies. The overall aim is to foster international cooperation that produces lasting improvements in higher education systems, fostering socio-economic development within Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants may find further guidance and supporting documents via the Erasmus+ website and are encouraged to ensure their proposals meet the provided criteria.

The Erasmus+ Programme, Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE) is a forthcoming funding opportunity supporting international higher education partnerships. It aims to strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. The call supports quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges and contributes to the European Commission's overarching priorities and broader EU external policy goals, including Global Gateway initiatives and the Pact for the Mediterranean. The total indicative budget for 2026 is 113,117,100 EUR, distributed across three strands. For Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa, the total indicative budget is 25,200,000 EUR, with 5,621,132 EUR allocated to Strand 1, 11,126,038 EUR to Strand 2, and 8,452,830 EUR to Strand 3. The indicative number of projects to be funded in Region 9 is 35.

The call is structured into regions and strands. In Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa, overarching priorities include:

Green Deal: Contributing to a successful green and sustainable global economic recovery, including climate change, environment and energy, awareness-raising, and green jobs.

Digital transformation: Performing digital education ecosystems, improving digital skills and competences, connectivity, and teacher training.

Integration of migrants: Recognition of qualifications, legal pathways, integration of migrants and displaced persons, education access, scholarships, and language education.

Governance, peace, security, and human development: Human rights, social and economic rights, democracy, fundamental values, governance, citizenship, health, youth, gender, access, and inclusion.

Sustainable growth and jobs: Skills, entrepreneurship, employability, links to the labor market and jobs creation, job opportunities, rural areas, and private sector involvement.

Applicants whose proposals align with an Erasmus+ Global Gateway relevant priority should select the Global Gateway fixed keyword in the application form.

Strand 3 proposals must address the needs of higher education in the countries concerned and align with the Erasmus+ Global Gateway-related priorities defined at the country or cluster of countries level, as detailed at https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/erasmus-global-gateway-priorities_en. Proposals should include academic capacity building aspects that align with the Global Gateway investment priorities and projects for the country/region.

Applicants must identify one of the overarching priorities defined by the European Commission in Part A of the application form.

The CBHE action in Region 9 is composed of three specific strands:

Strand 1: Fostering access to cooperation in higher education. This strand targets less experienced HEIs and small-scale actors, focusing on:

HEIs from least developed third countries not associated to the Programme.

HEIs located in remote regions/areas of third countries not associated to the Programme.

Newcomers or less experienced HEIs and Faculties from third countries not associated to the Programme.

Students and staff with fewer opportunities.

Possible activities include:

Enhancing the management/administrative capacity of targeted HEIs, such as reforming university governance, strengthening international relations offices, establishing quality assurance units, creating planning and evaluation units, enhancing communication mechanisms, and building capacities to support student and staff mobility.

Ensuring high-quality and relevant education, such as developing modules or study programs, establishing intensive study programs, developing capacities for postgraduate students and academic staff, implementing training courses for HEI academic staff, creating synergies with the business sector, and developing study programs aligned with the Global Gateway strategy.

Increasing accessibility for students/staff with fewer opportunities, such as developing remote and inclusive learning pathways, updating digital technology for students with disabilities, promoting positive discrimination, and reducing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups.

Strand 2: Partnerships for transformation in higher education. This strand introduces new approaches and initiatives in higher education with a significant and long-term impact, pursuing innovation and reform in HEIs.

Possible activities include:

Developing, testing, and adapting innovative curricula in terms of content, structure, and teaching/learning methods, including open and flexible learning, virtual mobility, open educational resources, blended learning, and MOOCs.

Developing, testing, and implementing new learning methods, tools, and materials through practical training and placements of students.

Introducing Bologna-type reforms at the institutional level, such as a three-level cycle system, transparency tools, quality assurance, and recognition of prior and non-formal learning.

Introducing practical training schemes, internships, and study of real-life cases in business and industry.

Introducing dual learning systems bridging tertiary studies with upper secondary VET.

Developing solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation.

Developing and testing solutions to pressing social demands directed towards vulnerable groups.

Supporting the creation of centers, incubators for innovation, technology transfer, and business start-ups.

Developing and testing continuous education programs and activities with enterprises.

Setting up trials and testing innovative measures, including exchanges of students, researchers, teaching staff, and enterprise staff.

Reforming governance and management systems and structures at the institutional level.

Developing strategies and tools for the internationalization of HEIs.

Developing, adapting, and delivering tools and methods for the upskilling, evaluation/assessment, professionalization, and professional development of academic and administrative staff.

Developing or strengthening relevant study programs, new training schemes, and learning methods that align with the Global Gateway strategy.

Strand 3: Structural reform projects. This strand supports efforts in third countries not associated with the Programme to develop coherent, inclusive, and sustainable systems of higher education, including in STEM fields, through structural reform projects involving National Authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

The proposal page limit is 40 pages, as described in the call document. Evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold, and process are detailed in the call document.

The call was published on 26 November 2025, and the deadline for submitting applications is 10 February 2026 at 17:00 Brussels Time. The evaluation period is from March to June 2026. Information to applicants will be provided in July 2026, and the signature of the grant agreement is planned for November 2026.

Relevant documents include the call document, application form templates (Standard application form ERASMUS BB and LSII, Detailed budget table ERASMUS LSII), the Erasmus Programme Guide, guidance on managing lump sum grants, a guide for applicants, Model Grant Agreements (Lump Sum MGA), the Erasmus+ Work Programme, Erasmus Regulation 2021/817, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

For help related to this call, contact EACEA-EPLUS-CBHE@ec.europa.eu.

This Erasmus+ call for proposals aims to foster international cooperation in higher education, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It provides funding for projects that enhance the quality, relevance, and accessibility of higher education in the region, aligning with global sustainability goals and EU external policy objectives. The call is structured around three strands, each targeting different aspects of capacity building and reform within higher education institutions. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that address specific regional priorities, such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, migrant integration, governance, and sustainable growth, while also aligning with the broader goals of the Erasmus+ Programme and the Global Gateway initiative. The call offers a significant opportunity for HEIs to engage in collaborative projects that can lead to lasting improvements in higher education systems and contribute to the socio-economic development of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from least developed third countries not associated to the Programme, HEIs located in remote regions/areas of third countries not associated to the Programme, Newcomers or less experienced HEIs and Faculties from third countries not associated to the Programme, and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders. For Strand 3, the competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education) of third countries not associated to the Programme are also eligible. The program targets international higher-education partnerships.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants (ERASMUS-LS).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires partnerships, implying a consortium of multiple applicants.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility focuses on third countries not associated to the Programme, with a specific focus on Region 9 – Sub-Saharan Africa.

Target Sector: The target sector is higher education, with a focus on capacity building, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education systems. It also includes areas like green jobs, digital skills, migrant integration, governance, peace, security, human development, and sustainable growth and jobs. STEM fields are specifically mentioned for Strand 3.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes a variety of countries. No specific countries are explicitly listed, but the region is the focus.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the strand. It includes activities from fostering access to cooperation (Strand 1), partnerships for transformation (Strand 2), to structural reform projects (Strand 3). This suggests projects can be in the development, validation, demonstration, or even early commercialization stages, depending on the specific activities proposed.

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies by strand and region. For Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa, the indicative budgets are: Strand 1: €5,621,132, Strand 2: €11,126,038, Strand 3: €8,452,830. The total indicative budget for Region 9 is €25,200,000. The overall total 2026 CBHE indicative budget is €113,117,100.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of projects to be funded in Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa is 35 in total across the three strands.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program is a funding opportunity aimed at strengthening higher education systems in third countries not associated with the EU program, particularly in Region 9 Sub-Saharan Africa. The program is structured into three strands: Fostering access to cooperation in higher education (Strand 1), Partnerships for transformation in higher education (Strand 2), and Structural reform projects (Strand 3). The overarching priorities include the Green Deal, digital transformation, integration of migrants, governance, peace, security and human development, and sustainable growth and jobs.

The total indicative budget for the 2026 call is €113,117,100, with €25,200,000 allocated to Region 9. The call is structured as a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a single stage. Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and, for Strand 3, competent National Authorities such as Ministries of Education. Projects should align with the Erasmus+ Global Gateway-related priorities and contribute to the overarching priorities defined by the European Commission. The deadline for submitting applications is February 10, 2026. This call aims to promote quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges in the targeted regions.