Vocational Education and Training: Improving transparency and recognition of VET qualifications

This grant opportunity focuses on the Erasmus+ programme, specifically targeting vocational education and training (VET). The call, titled "Vocational Education and Training: Improving transparency and recognition of VET qualifications," invites proposals aimed at developing transnational cooperation projects that will create, implement, and test innovative approaches to address various educational policy priorities.

Eligible applicants include VET providers and relevant institutional actors such as local and regional public authorities, VET-related organizations, and companies partnering with educational institutions. Projects must involve at least two VET providers from different EU Member States or associated third countries, ensuring a consortium structure and collaborative governance. National and regional authorities responsible for qualification recognition must also participate from the project onset.

Funding is through ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, with a total budget of €8 million for this call, applying specifically to the development of joint VET programs at EQF levels 3-5. Individual grant amounts are not explicitly specified but are typically distributed among multiple awarded projects.

The application process follows a single-stage procedure, with the opening date set for January 6, 2026, and application submissions due by April 8, 2026. Successful projects must demonstrate practical implementation and result-oriented outcomes, linking to labor market needs, integrating work-based learning, and possibly contributing evidence for a future European VET diploma or label.

Projects must utilize EU transparency tools such as EQAVET, EQF, and Europass and are expected to deliver comprehensive evidence for formal discussions in VET governance forums. Evaluation of applications will occur from April to July 2026, with notifications going out in October 2026, and grant agreements expected to be signed by January 2027.

The outcomes of funded projects can significantly influence European VET policies and frameworks while enhancing the recognition and integration of vocational qualifications across borders.

This is a call for proposals for European policy experimentations under the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically focusing on Vocational Education and Training (VET). The call, titled "Vocational Education and Training: Improving transparency and recognition of VET qualifications," aims to fund transnational cooperation projects that develop, implement, and test activities addressing policy priorities in different countries. These projects should combine strategic leadership, methodological soundness, and a strong European dimension to enable mutual learning and support evidence-based policy at the European level.

The pilot projects should focus on developing joint VET programmes (full or partial) in a transnational setting at EQF levels 3-5. Approaches can include creating modules by VET providers from different countries or sectoral/craft organizations at the European level. The goal is to integrate these into qualifications registered in a national or regional qualification framework or system, potentially using optional areas within vocational training programmes. Projects could also develop a comprehensive qualification in a transnational context to address gaps in national or regional formal qualification systems.

Projects should utilize EU instruments and transparency tools like EQAVET, EQF, Europass, and ESCO, and build on existing transnational cooperation initiatives that have developed joint training content and modules. The transnational joint VET programmes should target both regulated and non-regulated professions, providing clear added value to learners, teachers, and trainers, addressing regional and/or local labor market needs, and ensuring integration into national or regional qualification frameworks in participating countries. Applications should demonstrate this with strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

A work-based learning component is required to ensure a strong connection to the labor market, along with a mobility component for VET learners, teachers, and/or trainers to enhance learning and curriculum development in an international and transnational context.

Projects must involve at least two VET providers offering vocational programmes at EQF levels 3-4 from different EU Member States and/or third countries associated with the Erasmus+ programme. Projects can also focus on vocational programmes at EQF level 5. Involvement of national and/or regional authorities or competent bodies responsible for awarding and recognizing VET qualifications is essential from the start.

Beneficiaries will cooperate with relevant authorities and stakeholders to reflect on the projects and provide recommendations for further development of transnational joint VET programmes. Project results will inform discussions in the Advisory Committee on Vocational Education and Training (ACVT) and the meetings of the Directors-General for VET (DGVT). Depending on the pilot projects' progress and outcomes, further work may explore a potential European VET diploma or label, or alternative approaches.

The call for proposals is ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP.

Conditions for application include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: The proposal page limit for Part B (Technical Description) is 40 pages, including the list of relevant previous projects. The layout is described in the Important Notice of the Part B of the Application Form, available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries: Described in the call document.

3. Other Eligible Conditions: Described in the call document.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: Described in the call document.

5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes: Described in the call document.

5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds: Described in the call document.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement:

Publication of the call: 22 December 2025.

Deadline for submitting applications: 8 April 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time).

Evaluation period: April - July 2026.

Information to applicants: October 2026.

Signature of grant agreement: by January 2027.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Not applicable.

The call document and annexes include:

Call document

Application form templates:

Standard application form (ERASMUS BB and LSII)

Detailed budget table (ERASMUS LSII)

Guidance:

Erasmus+ Programme Guide, specifically Part C - Information for Applicants

Model Grant Agreements (MGA):

Lump Sum MGA

Additional documents:

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

How to manage your lump sum grants

Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual

Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for the year 2026 includes several topics, each with a specific budget and indicative number of grants. All topics are Erasmus Lump Sum Grants (ERASMUS-LS) and follow a single-stage submission process with the same opening date (06/01/2026) and deadline (08/04/2026):

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T01-DIGITAL-CONTENT: 2,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T02-DIGITAL-ETHICSAI: 6,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T03-DIGITAL-BS: 5,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T04-MICRO-CRED: 3,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T05-SCHOOL-STEM: 6,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS: 9,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T07-VET-BS: 5,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T08-VET-QUALIFICATIONS: 8,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T09-ADULT-PS: 5,000,000 EUR

ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T10-ADULT-EMPOWER: 5,000,000 EUR

There are 7 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

For help related to this call, contact EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORT@EC.EUROPA.EU. For technical issues, contact the IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this Erasmus+ call seeks to fund pilot projects that develop and test transnational VET programmes to improve the transparency and recognition of VET qualifications across Europe. It encourages collaboration between VET providers, national authorities, and other stakeholders to create innovative training modules and qualifications that address labor market needs and enhance the mobility of learners and trainers. The ultimate goal is to inform policy discussions and potentially lead to a European VET diploma or label.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are VET providers offering vocational programmes at EQF levels 3-4. The call specifies that projects are expected to ensure robust involvement from two or more VET providers. National and/or regional authorities or competent bodies in charge of the awarding and recognition of VET qualifications should also be involved from the start. Other stakeholders involved in VET can also participate.

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

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. Projects are expected to ensure robust involvement from two or more VET providers.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme.

Target Sector: The target sector is vocational education and training (VET). Specifically, the program targets the development of joint VET programmes (full or partial) in a transnational setting at EQF levels 3-5. The thematic priorities include digital content, digital ethics/AI, digital basic skills, micro-credentials, school STEM, school basic skills, VET basic skills, VET qualifications, adult personal and social development, and adult empowerment.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Third countries associated to the Erasmus+ programme.

Project Stage: The project stage is development, implementation, and testing. The call focuses on European policy experimentations, which involve developing, implementing, and testing the relevance, effectiveness, potential impact, and scalability of activities. Pilot projects are specifically mentioned.

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies by topic, ranging from €2,000,000 to €9,000,000. Specifically, the budget overview lists the following topics and their respective budgets:
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T01-DIGITAL-CONTENT: €2,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T02-DIGITAL-ETHICSAI: €6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T03-DIGITAL-BS: €5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T04-MICRO-CRED: €3,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T05-SCHOOL-STEM: €6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS: €9,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T07-VET-BS: €5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T08-VET-QUALIFICATIONS: €8,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T09-ADULT-PS: €5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T10-ADULT-EMPOWER: €5,000,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call. The deadline model is single-stage.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically targeting European policy experimentations in vocational education and training (VET). The call, titled "European policy experimentations (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP)," aims to fund transnational cooperation projects that develop, implement, and test innovative approaches to address policy priorities in education and training across different countries. The focus is on creating joint VET programmes, either full or partial, in a transnational context, aligning with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels 3 to 5. These programmes should integrate into national or regional qualification systems and address labor market needs.

The projects should utilize EU transparency tools like EQAVET, EQF, Europass, and ESCO, and build upon existing transnational initiatives. A key requirement is the involvement of at least two VET providers from different EU Member States or third countries associated with the Erasmus+ programme, along with national or regional authorities responsible for VET qualification recognition. The projects are expected to include work-based learning and mobility components for learners, teachers, and trainers. The ultimate goal is to inform policy discussions and potentially contribute to the development of a European VET diploma or label. The call covers a range of thematic priorities, including digital skills, ethical AI, STEM education, micro-credentials, and adult learning. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with budgets varying from 2 million to 9 million euros depending on the specific topic. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of April 8, 2026.