Timeline
2017
European Council calls for the emergence by 2024 of European universities in its Council conclusions
2018
European Commission publishes first call for proposals for European Universities
2019
First 17 European Universities alliances become operational
2020
41 European Universities alliances are active
2021
Council Conclusions on the European Universities reiterate support for the European Universities
2022
- 44 European Universities alliances are active
- Adoption of the European strategy for universities
- Council Conclusions on the European strategy for universities
- Council Recommendation on building bridges for effective European higher education cooperation
2023
50 European Universities alliances are active
2024
The Erasmus+ programme also supports the set-up of a policy experimentation project aimed at cooperation between the national and regional authorities on
- creating a supporting administrative and regulatory environment for European Universities and other similar long-standing institutionalised cooperation models
- funding European Universities at national or regional level, as a complement to the grants received at European level
The future of the European Universities initiative
Over time, European Universities alliances will:
- connect more and more faculties, departments, staff and students
- embed more mobility opportunities to students in their curricula
- offer more innovative pedagogies and flexible learning pathways based on challenge-based and transdisciplinary approaches
- implement more joint degree programmes
- deliver joint micro-credentials
- increase inclusivity and engagement with their communities
The blueprint for a European degree can act as a key enabler for the European Universities alliances to deliver joint degree programmes.
Read more about the blueprint for a European degree
2026 - 2027
Subject to the adoption of the 2026 and 2027 Erasmus+ Work Programme, calls for European Universities under Erasmus+ are expected to be launched in 2026 and 2027, targeting primarily already existing deep institutional transnational cooperation alliances, ensuring sustainable funding up to 2028-2029.
2028-2034 investment pathway
The European Commission services are working with European Universities alliances, other higher education stakeholder organisations and the EU countries on an investment pathway for European Universities alliances for the period 2028-2034.
This work aims to facilitate a comprehensive funding approach, complementing the educational dimension with support across all alliances’ missions (including research and innovation) for wider societal benefit. It also aims to seek synergies with national and regional funding.
Report on outcomes and transformative potential
Demonstrating the transformative impact of the European Universities initiative is also essential. To achieve this, the Commission developed a monitoring framework in collaboration with the alliances, the higher education sector and EU countries.
Building on the results of this monitoring framework, the Commission will report in second half of 2024 on the outcomes and transformative potential of the European Universities initiative.