Research Newsletter – Issue 109: Erasmus Spotlight
The Erasmus+ 2026 call for funding is now open!
The European Commission have confirmed a budget of just over €5 billion to support learning exchanges abroad and cooperation partnerships in education, training, youth and sport.
The programme supports the educational, professional, and personal development of people in education, training, youth, and sport, in Europe and beyond. It fosters cooperation and exchange of practices, supports the development of innovative teaching, training, and learning methods, and promotes non-formal learning and the development of common tools and activities. Though Erasmus+ is most well-known for its student exchange programme, 30% of the funding is for collaborative projects for educational institutions including HEIs, and other organisations across civil society.
Why do Erasmus+?
Through collaborative projects and research activities, individuals and organisations gain experience in international cooperation, strengthen their capacities, develop innovative approaches, exchange good practices, and network. Participants collaborate with national, European, and international partners in a wide range of activities and projects funded through the Erasmus+ programme, developing excellence, creativity, and innovation in all fields of education and training.
Involvement in an Erasmus+ project helps build international networks, brings experience in working with EU funding, and can lead to publications and further research funding.
Erasmus+ at DCU
Participation in Erasmus+ projects at DCU continues to increase and we maintain a good success rate despite the increasingly competitive funding environment. Erasmus+ was the 5th highest source of external research funding awarded to DCU during the 5-year period 2020-2024 at just under €6 million (as reported through TORA).
A very wide range of topics can be addressed through an Erasmus+ project. We have a rich diversity of subject areas in DCU’s numerous Erasmus+ awards that span all the faculties and several of our research centres and other units. The number and diversity of applications and awards in 2025 reflect high levels of innovation and expertise active across the University.
Details of awards for 2 Capacity Building in Higher Education projects, 2 Erasmus Mundus projects, 2 Jean Monnet projects and 1 Cooperation Partnership can be seen in the September newsletter; these awards span 4 faculties. See the October newsletter for details of 2 more awards – 1 Teacher Academy and another Cooperation Partnership; and see this newsletter’s Good News section for details of the most recently announced award under the Forward-Looking Projects call.
One of DCU’s 2024 awards has been included in an official European Commission publication showcasing the best projects and practices from the 2024 Jean Monnet calls. PROSPER, a Policy Debate Network coordinated by Professor Federico Fabbrini, is highlighted as one of the best practices - a strong acknowledgement of the project’s quality and the work carried out by the team.
Full lists of Erasmus+ awards 2021-2024 at DCU are on our Erasmus+ webpage.
Erasmus+ Key Actions
Erasmus+ activities fall under three Key Actions focused on one of the following fields: Education and Training (including: Higher Education; School Education; Adult Education; Vocational Education & Training); Sports; Youth; and the Jean Monnet Action.
- Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals. This covers individual mobility for students and staff. It is managed at DCU by the Placement Unit’s International Mobility team.
- Key Action 2: Cooperation among Organisations and Institutions. This Key Action supports the development, transfer and implementation of innovative practices at organisational, local, regional, national, or European levels. It is about modernising and advancing the quality of systems and approaches in the chosen field and improving key competences and skills.
- Key Action 3: Support to policy development and cooperation. Participants in projects under this action contribute to the development and implementation of policies at EU level, often triggering modernisation and reforms.
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Jean Monnet Actions support teaching, learning, research and debates on various aspects of the European Union.
How to Apply in 2026 / Find Out More
Guidance and information for prospective applicants is provided by DCU’s Senior Erasmus+ Development Officer Dr Sophie Ball. She runs events throughout the year to support staff to submit successful funding applications. Past presentations and other resources are on DCU’s Erasmus+ webpage. Please see the Events page of this newsletter to register for the next information session which will be held on 22nd January 2026.
In the Funding Opportunities section of this newsletter, there is further information about the 2026 Call including deadline dates and links to the application portals.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Dr Sophie Ball to find out more about the Erasmus+ programme or to discuss your ideas for a project.