Welcome to Erasmus+ at DCU

Activities supported by the Erasmus+ programme are divided into Key Actions, each of which have a number of sub-actions and distinct Calls for a range of different projects.

Key Action 1 (KA1) is for individual mobilities (e.g. student exchanges, teacher visits, staff training visits) which are managed at DCU by the Placements Office

Key Action 2 (KA2) supports a wide range of projects of varying size and scope from enabling transformation and change at individual, organisational, or sectoral level to achieving systemic impact at European level.

Key Action 3 (KA3) provides support to policy cooperation at EU level.

Jean Monnet Actions support teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide and includes the following sub-actions: Modules; Chairs; Centres of Excellence; Teacher Trainings

The EC’s 5-page Erasmus+ Factsheet (2021) provides an overview of the 2021-2027 programme and an introduction to the programme’s priorities and different actions.

Key Action 2 (KA2) - Cooperation among organisations and institutions

KA2 supports a number of Actions, ranging in size, scope and impact, and presented in three clusters:

• Partnerships for Cooperation
• Partnership for Excellence
• Partnerships for Innovation

 This Key Action is expected to result in the development, transfer and/or implementation of innovative practices at organisational, local, regional, national or European levels.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR COOPERATION

This action enables participating organisations to gain experience in international cooperation and to strengthen their capacities, while also producing high-quality innovative deliverables. These projects range in size, scope and levels of funding and cover diverse activities. 

Cooperation Partnerships

The primary goal of Cooperation Partnerships is to support the development, transfer, and implementation of innovative practices as well as the implementation of joint initiatives promoting cooperation, peer learning, and exchanges of experience at European level.

Cooperation Partnerships are the most commonly awarded type of Erasmus+ project at DCU. If you are participating in an Erasmus+ project for the first time, a good place to start is as a partner in a Cooperation Partnership, which can be in any of the following fields:

• School education
• Higher education
• Vocational and educational training 
• Adult education
• Sport
• Youth

Funding for these projects ranges from €100,000 - €400,000, depending on the number of partners (min 3, max 10) and the duration of the project (1-3 years).

Small-scale Partnerships

Small-scale partnerships are aimed at grassroots organisations, less experienced organisations, and newcomers to the Programme. They are similar in structure to Cooperation Partnerships but with lower grant amounts awarded to organisations, shorter duration, and simpler administrative requirements. While these don't typically involve HEIs experienced in Erasmus+, DCU was a partner in 2 proposals submitted in 2022 in the field of adult education.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR EXCELLENCE

Erasmus Mundus Actions

Erasmus Mundus will constitute one of a number of pillars within the University’s strategy from 2022, principally its T&L and Internationalisation component strategies. 

The action aims to foster excellence and world-wide internationalisation of higher education institutions via study programmes – at master course level – jointly delivered and jointly recognised by higher education institutions established in Europe, and open to institutions in other countries of the world.

An Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) is delivered by multiple higher education institutions and run across various countries. The award provides scholarships, for which students from all over the world can apply, and a contribution to institutional costs. It is also a flag of excellence. The EMJM aims to enhance the attractiveness and excellence of European higher education in the world and attract talent to Europe, through a combination of:

• institutional academic cooperation to showcase European excellence in higher education
• individual mobility for all students taking part in the EMJM, with EU-funded scholarships for the best students applying

The Erasmus Mundus Design Measure (EMDM) award provides €55,000 for a 15-month preparation period for designing an EMJM. This offers an opportunity for DCU academics who may wish to coordinate EMJM programmes, to understand and address all of the key issues with these programmes prior to a full application. 

Erasmus+ Teacher Academies

The overall objective of this action is to create European partnerships of teacher education and training providers to set up Erasmus+ Teacher Academies that will develop a European and international outlook in teacher education. These Academies will embrace multilingualism, language awareness and cultural diversity, develop teacher education in line with the EU’s priorities in education policy, and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the European Education Area. Introduced to Erasmus+ under the current programme, 4 proposals were submitted by the Institute of Education in 2022.

Centres of Vocational Excellence

This action supports the gradual establishment and development of international collaborative networks of Centres of Vocational Excellence, contributing to creating skills ecosystems for innovation, regional development, and social inclusion. 

European Universities

DCU participates in ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities), which secured funding through the 2018 and 2022 Calls. This action supports the emergence of bottom-up networks of higher education institutions, which will bring cross-border cooperation to the next level of ambition, through the development of joint long-term strategies for top-quality education, research and innovation, based on a common vision and shared values.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR INNOVATION

The aim of projects under this action is to achieve systemic impact at European level.  They focus on thematic areas that are strategic for Europe's growth and competitiveness and social cohesion. 

Alliances for Innovation

This action is aimed at fostering strategic cooperation between key players in higher education and vocational education and training, business and research. Projects aim to foster innovation and modernisation of education and training systems, supporting the development of the skills, knowledge and competences needed in sectors that are strategic for Europe's sustainable growth. 

Forward-looking Projects

This action aims to foster the innovation, creativity and participation required to confront growing and complex societal challenges. Projects address issues such as climate change, the protection of bio-diversity, clean energy, public health, digitalization and automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and data analysis.

Capacity Building (in the field of Higher Education, VET, Youth or Sport)

This action supports international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of Higher Education, VET, Youth or Sport. They aim to support the relevance, quality, modernisation, accessibility and responsiveness of institutions and systems, to act as a driver of sustainable socio-economic development, and to promote values as well as educational tools to promote the personal and social development of individuals and build more cohesive communities.

Familiarisation with EU priorities for the E+ programme and the details of the Call

While Erasmus+ is predominantly a 'bottom-up' funding programme, meaning that proposal ideas are developed by the applicants, it is built around a clear set of EU priorities. The priorities that run through every action - known as the horizontal priorities -  are: inclusion and diversity; digital transformation; and environment and climate action. While these aren’t necessarily your focus, projects should always support one or more of these priorities. When preparing a proposal, it is important to be familiar with these priorities, as well as those specific to the action under which you are applying.

A good place to start is the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. Part A provides general but essential information relevant to all actions and project types and will give you an understanding of the overall objectives of the Programme. Part B details each different action - here you will find the objectives, eligibility criteria, award criteria, and funding rules for each action.

Finding partners

PIs often develop E+ project ideas with existing contacts. The advantage of this is that you are working with partners whom you know and trust, and your prior collaboration is evidence to support the quality of the partnership. 

DCU is one of 13 universities working together in the E+ funded European University alliance, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) If you are looking for new contacts to develop a proposal with, there may be advantages in searching for partners within the ECIU consortium. These universities are trusted partners at institutional level, and there are multiple networks and connections running through the consortium which might support your project.

You might be invited to join a partnership because you have the expertise needed. This might be through a mutual contact, or it can be a cold call. The EC application portal includes a partner-search database; access is through links under each Call. These approaches can present valuable opportunities to develop your network and get you known abroad. However, you should feel confident about the quality of the partnership before committing. 

Further information and support

EU: Most Erasmus+ actions are 'centralised' meaning that they are managed directly by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) . Applications are submitted through the European Commission’s Erasmus+ projects application portal. 

Ireland: Some Erasmus+ actions are 'decentralised', including Partnerships for Cooperation. Projects under this action are managed by National Erasmus+ Agencies. In Ireland, we have 2. Actions in Higher Education are managed by the HEA while Leargas manages actions in Adult Education, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, and Youth.  The application portal is still a Commission website.

DCU: Support for staff wishing to apply for Erasmus+ projects is provided by the Erasmus+ Development Officer who is based in DCU Research Support. Contact: Dr Sophie Ball. Oversight of proposals with teaching content is shared with the Office of the Vice-President Academic Affairs.

Recordings and presentations Recordings and copies of the slides of information sessions by Sophie Ball and by the National E+ Agency Leargas can be accessed here.

DCU's Erasmus+ 2021 awards are listed below. Please contact Sophie Ball for details of previous awards. We are currently waiting to hear the outcomes of 2022 applications.