Erasmus+ 2026 Programme Guide Released: New Priorities, Broader Reach, and Key Deadlines Announced
The European Commission has officially published the Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026, marking the next milestone of the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. Building on over 35 years of success, the new guide reinforces Erasmus+ as a cornerstone of the European Education Area, while expanding its reach and ambition for a greener, more digital, and more inclusive Europe.
You can find the full guide here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/document/erasmus-programme-guide-2026?pk_source=website&pk_medium=link&pk_campaign=pg&pk_content=pg-landing-download
A Renewed Vision for 2026
The 2026 Programme Guide continues to shape Erasmus+ around four horizontal priorities:
- Inclusion and Diversity – ensuring equitable access and participation for all learners, especially those with fewer opportunities.
- Digital Transformation – supporting the development of digital competences, the use of AI in education, and the integration of digital education strategies.
- Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change – advancing green competences and sustainable behaviours across all learning sectors.
- Participation in Democratic Life – strengthening civic engagement, media literacy, and understanding of EU common values.
These priorities run across all Key Actions and fields, encouraging projects that combine innovation with strong societal impact.
Programme Structure
Erasmus+ 2026 continues to operate under three main pillars – the Key Actions (KA) – plus the Jean Monnet Actions:
- Key Action 1 (KA1): Learning Mobility of Individuals
Supports mobility for learners, staff, and youth across Europe and beyond, promoting intercultural exchange and professional development. - Key Action 2 (KA2): Cooperation Among Organisations and Institutions
Focuses on partnerships, innovation, capacity building, and international cooperation to improve education systems. - Key Action 3 (KA3): Support to Policy Development and Cooperation
Reinforces policy dialogue, youth participation, and evidence-based policymaking at EU and national levels. - Jean Monnet Actions
Promote teaching, research, and debate on European integration and EU affairs at all levels of education.
Key Deadlines for 2026
The 2026 call introduces a number of important deadlines, both for centralised (EACEA-managed) and decentralised (National Agency-managed) actions. Below you’ll find a full overview.
Centralised EU-level calls (apply via EU Funding & Tenders Portal – EACEA)
| Pillar | Call | Deadline (Brussels time) | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA2 – Capacity Building (HE) | Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) – all regions (multiple Topic IDs under ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE) | 10 Feb 2026, 17:00 | EACEA via EU Funding & Tenders Portal (FTOP) |
| KA2 – Capacity Building (VET) | Capacity Building in VET (CBVET) – regional strands | 26 Mar 2026, 17:00 | EACEA via FTOP |
| KA2 – Virtual Exchanges | Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges (Western Balkans, Neighbourhood East, South-Med, Sub-Saharan Africa) | 26 Mar 2026, 17:00 | EACEA via FTOP |
| KA2 – Alliances for Innovation (Lot 1) | Alliances for Education & Enterprises (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PI-ALL-INNO-EDU-ENTERP) | 10 Mar 2026, 17:00 | EACEA via FTOP |
| KA2 – Alliances for Innovation (Lot 2) | Alliances for Sectoral |
Decentralised calls (apply via National Agencies)
| Pillar | Call | Deadline (Brussels time) | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA2 – Cooperation Partnerships | Cooperation Partnerships (managed by NAs) | 5 Mar 2026, 12:00 (for NA-managed), 5 Mar 2026, 17:00 for European NGOs and Sport (EACEA) | NAs (education/youth fields); EACEA for European NGOs & Sport |
| KA1 – School Education | Short-term projects for mobility of learners & staff (rounds) | Round 1: 19 Feb 2026, 12:00; Round 2: 1 Oct 2026, 12:00 | Your National Agency (NA) |
Implementation and Access
- National Agencies (NAs) manage most KA1 and KA2 cooperation actions at national level. Applicants can find their NA here.
- The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) manages large-scale and international actions directly through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Each application must be submitted before the official deadline (Brussels time) indicated above. Late submissions are automatically excluded.
Do you have any project ideas or need support?
Contact Sotiria Tsalamani, Sotiria.tsalamani[at]evbb.eu and Sonia Degroote, Sonia.degroote[at]evbb.eu .
The EVBB team is happy to guide you through your Erasmus+ journey.
