STEM education and training

A strong focus on future-proof skills in strategic sectors is essential to sustain EU competitiveness, preparedness, and technological leadership. Education plays a key role in supporting, developing and attracting the talent that the EU needs.

What are STEM and STEAM?

STEM is an umbrella term that groups:

Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics

STEM education promotes the development of foundational competencies and transversal skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative skills, laying the groundwork for innovative education in the subjects above.

Another approach is STEAM, which adds Arts to STEM.

It brings subjects such as visual and performing arts, literature and design into science and technology education. This approach fosters creativity, innovation and a more holistic approach to problem-solving.

Some definitions also include humanities and social sciences to link STEM disciplines more closely with society.

Why are we focusing on this?

The European Union is facing a significant challenge in meeting the demand for skilled talent in STEM fields. These are crucial for growing, strategic sectors like clean and circular technologies, digital technologies, aerospace, and defence.

There aren’t enough qualified professionals to meet the market demand: nearly 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU struggle to find workers with STEM skills relevant to information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

This shortage affects all sectors, including transport, food, and energy, and hinders economic growth and innovation.

A decline in basic maths and science skills among 15-year-olds is also a worrying trend. Recent PISA results show that nearly 30% of EU students fail to meet basic proficiency in mathematics and 24% in science, both worsening since 2018. This is linked, among other factors, to a lack of specialist teachers, emphasising the need to attract and support educators through continuous professional development.

That is why the European Commission adopted the Union of Skills, a plan to improve high quality education, training, and lifelong learning with a common vision of competitiveness.

A strategic plan on STEM education

The STEM Education Strategic Plan is a key initiative of the Union of Skills. The plan sets out measures to reverse the trend of declining performance in STEM skills at school, and encourage more students, especially girls and women, into STEM studies and careers.

3 key objectives

Lead

This objective aims to increase the number of STEM students in vocational education and training and higher education. It also aims to bring education and business sectors closer together.

Examples of actions include:

EU-level STEM enrolment targets by 2030:

45% of students enrolled in STEM fields in initial medium-level vocational education and training (VET), where 1 out of every 4 students is female
32% of students enrolled in STEM fields at tertiary level, where 2 out of every 5 students are female
5% of students enrolled in ICT PhD programmes, where 1 out of every 3 students is female

Set up a European STEAM Executive Panel that

fosters closer cooperation between business representatives, education and training providers, and social partners
ensures STEM graduates are skilled for current and future business needs and job market realities

Improve STEM skills intelligence by

measuring graduate outcomes
collecting strategic data to better anticipate sector-specific skill needs

Level up

This objective will foster and develop STEM talent across all education levels.

Examples of actions include:

Open STEM education centres to help schools by oﬀering innovative class activities, in cooperation with businesses, science museums, libraries, cultural associations, universities and research institutions.
Work towards a European degree for Engineers, to provide high quality and relevant education to the future generations of students who wish to embark on engineering careers.
Build a STEM Tech Talent Induction, to attract young people to STEM studies and careers, and to skill, upskill and reskill learners of all ages. The initiative is led by the European Institute of Technology and Innovation (EIT) and it builds upon the success of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative, which has trained more than 1 million people in deep tech fields.

Lift barriers

By 2028, the Girls Go STEM initiative seeks to inspire 100 000 girls aged 14 to 19 to pursue STEM studies and careers. This target supports the European Commission’s broader goal to reach 1 million girls and women through technical and entrepreneurial training. The programme aims to make STEM more appealing by providing hands-on experience and access to female role models and mentors.

To ensure long-term impact, the initiative also trains teachers and helps schools build their capacity for more inclusive STEM education.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) leads this initiative, building on the success of the Girls Go Circular programme.

Next steps

Implementation of the STEM Education Strategic Plan is now underway. By early 2026, several calls for proposals have been launched to support the plan's actions. The next steps include launching these projects to involve stakeholders directly in improving STEM education across Europe.

Coordination among EU countries will be strengthened through additional focus on STEM in the context of the European Semester (the annual exercise that coordinates the EU's economic and social policies).

Publications

Funding opportunities

The deadlines shown below are subject to change. To be sure, please check the dates provided on each call page.

Erasmus+

Erasmus+ scholarships (deadline: 28 May 2026)
- Pilot scholarships for STEM students with a priority on those from disadvantaged backgrounds to study in strategic fields via mobility-integrated programmes
STEM Education Centres (deadline: 8 April 2026)
- Focuses on improving STEM education in schools through policy experimentation and innovative practices.
Micro-credentials – focus on eco-systems (deadline: 8 April 2026)
- Dedicated to advancing micro-credentials in education to enhance lifelong learning and skills recognition.
Capacity building in vocational education and training (deadline: 26 March 2026)
Focus on building higher education capacities, promoting cooperation and exchange between universities and to strengthen vocational education and training systems through capacity building and innovative practices.
European degree exploratory actions (deadline: 17 March 2026)
- Seeks proposals for projects that support European educational development initiatives.
STEM Skills Foundries (deadline: 10 March 2026)
- Aims to foster inclusive innovation in STEM education, enhancing access and participation.
Capacity building in higher education (deadline: 10 February 2026)

Horizon / European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)

EIT HEI initiative (deadline 4 March 2026)

Invites proposals to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of higher education institutions (HEIs) through innovation-focused activities and collaborations.

Digital Europe

Advanced Digital Skills Competitions (deadline 3 March 2026)

Seeks proposals for competitions that promote the development of advanced digital skills across Europe, supporting innovation and competitiveness.

Last updated:

6 March 2026