FAQs
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Discover more about Erasmus+ in the UK or find out more general details on Erasmus+.
We have put together this set of frequently asked questions about Erasmus+. If your questions are not answered in our FAQs, please contact us.
More detailed information on timings, funding and applications will be provided in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide which is likely to be published around November 2026.
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General questions
Back to topErasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It funds international mobility and partnership projects for organisations.
From 2027, organisations in the UK will be able to participate fully in Erasmus+ as part of the UK's association to the programme. More general details on Erasmus+ can be found here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/.
Erasmus+ focuses on four priorities:
- Inclusion and diversity
- Environment and climate action
- Digital transformation
- Participation in civic life.
You should address at least one of these priorities in your project.
Erasmus+ is structured into:
- Key Action 1 (KA1) – Learning mobility of individuals
- Key Action 2 (KA2) – Cooperation among organisations and institutions
- Key Action 3 (KA3) – Support to policy development and cooperation
- Jean Monnet – EU-related learning activities
- Sport - Grassroots Sport projects.
Participants can travel to all 27 EU Member States as well as to third countries associated to the programme: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Serbia Switzerland is not currently an associated country.
The Swiss Federal Council has stated its intention to seek association from 2027, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Yes. Depending on the type of project, your organisation may be able to both send participants abroad and host participants from other countries. Some organisations may undertake one role only, while others may do both. Full details will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
The National Agency delivers Erasmus+ in the UK, including managing funding calls, assessing applications, monitoring projects and supporting organisations throughout the application and project lifecycle. The British Council has been appointed as the UK National Agency for Erasmus+.
UK association means organisations can take part fully in Erasmus+, including applying for funding and leading projects. It supports international collaboration and mobility opportunities.
From 2027, the UK will become a third country associated to the programme and will participate on the same basis as EU Member States and other associated countries.
UK participation begins in 2027. Applications are expected to open towards the end of 2026, subject to the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Funding
Back to topFunding depends on the type of project and the rules of the specific call. Full details will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Applications are expected to open in November 2026 and close between February and April 2027, depending on the action and subject to the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
The duration of the project depends on the activity type and may cover more than one academic year.
Funding may contribute to costs such as:
- travel
- accommodation and subsistence
- course fees
- organisational support
- preparatory activities
- inclusion and additional needs support
The costs covered depend on the type of project and activity. Full details of eligible costs will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Students who participate in an Erasmus+ placement are exempt from tuition and registration fees at their host institution, but they may still be required to pay fees to their home institution.
Erasmus+ funding is designed to contribute towards project costs and may not cover all expenses.
Funding levels and eligible costs will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
For most projects, initial funding is expected to be awarded in Summer 2027, with final timelines to be confirmed.
We are keen to encourage applications from people facing barriers to participation, including those with disabilities, additional learning needs or fewer opportunities. Additional support may be available. This may include funding to support accessibility, inclusion and additional costs related to participation. Full details will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Applying
Back to topThe National Agency will provide guidance, information events, webinars and support materials to help organisations prepare and submit their applications. Further details will be available as funding opportunities open.
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your application. You can:
- identify potential partners
- develop a project idea
- consider how your project aligns with Erasmus+ priorities
- review previous Erasmus+ projects
- sign up for updates and guidance.
Activities may include:
- study or training abroad
- job shadowing
- teaching or training
- youth exchanges
- partnership projects.
Activities may take place in person, online or through a blended combination of both, depending on the specific action.
Yes. Erasmus+ can support staff development activities such as training courses, job shadowing and teaching opportunities, depending on the action.
No. Projects do not always need to involve equal or reciprocal exchanges.
Arrangements will depend on the project design and the rules of the specific Erasmus+ action.
Projects funded under the 2027 call are expected to start from Autumn 2027 onwards, depending on the action.
Funding applications will be submitted through the Erasmus+ application system. Organisations will typically need to register, obtain an Organisation ID (OID) and complete the relevant application form for their chosen action. Full details of the application process, eligibility requirements and deadlines will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
For most Erasmus+ actions, one organisation submits the application either for its own activities or on behalf of a group of participating organisations.
The application process will depend on the type of action and will be set out in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Yes. A single application can include multiple activities or mobilities, depending on the project design.
Full requirements will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Yes. Organisations are typically required to register and obtain an Organisation ID (OID) before submitting an application. Registration arrangements for the 2027 programme will be confirmed when guidance is published.
Registration arrangements for organisations that previously participated in Erasmus+ will be confirmed when guidance is published.
Eligibility
Back to topErasmus+ funding is primarily available to organisations operating in the eligible sectors of higher education, schools, vocational education and training (VET), adult education, youth and sport. Eligibility requirements vary by action, and organisations should refer to the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026) for full details. Individuals generally participate through an organisation rather than applying directly.
Erasmus+ supports:
- higher education
- schools
- vocational education and training (VET)
- adult education
- youth
- sport.
Yes. Organisations may be able to apply in different sectors, depending on the activities they deliver.
Full rules will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Yes. Organisations do not need previous Erasmus+ experience.
Yes. Independent schools in the UK will be eligible to apply for Erasmus+ funding under the 2027 call, subject to meeting the requirements of the relevant action and the conditions set out in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
You will need to go through your university, training centre or other organisation for most of the application routes. Your organisation applies for grants to run Erasmus+ projects, and those grants fund your participation.
As an associated country, UK organisations are expected to be able to lead Erasmus+ projects, subject to confirmation in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Yes. Higher Education Institutions participating in Erasmus+ mobility and cooperation projects will need to hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). Institutions without an ECHE will not be eligible to participate in the 2027 Erasmus+ call. The results of the 2027 ECHE accreditation call are expected to be communicated by the end of September 2026.
No. Organisations based in the UK Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are not eligible to apply for UK Erasmus+ funding under the 2027 call. However, individuals from these territories studying at eligible UK institutions may be able to participate in Erasmus+ activities through those institutions.
Partners
Back to topSome actions require partners, while others allow single applicants.
Requirements will be confirmed in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Yes. Existing partnerships can be used as the basis for an Erasmus+ project, provided they meet the requirements of the action.
Yes. The National Agency provides guidance and resources, including events and networking opportunities. Sign up to the newsletter on our website for further information.
Other
Back to topOrganisations may be able to apply for Erasmus+ alongside other funding, provided the same activity is not funded twice.
The UK National Agency does not yet have access to review OID applications. Updates will be provided if further action is required.
Applications for centrally managed actions must be submitted directly to EACEA.
Further details will be available in the 2027 Erasmus+ Programme Guide (available from autumn 2026).
Erasmus+ 2021–2027 has a significantly larger budget, and a stronger focus on inclusion and diversity, digitaliastions and sustainability . It offers more flexible ways to take part with simpler application processes and more varied mobility formats, including blended mobility.