Apply for school partnership funding

Under Erasmus+ Key Action 2, there are two types of projects - School Exchange Partnerships and Strategic Partnerships for School Education. 

How to apply

School Exchange Partnerships (Key Actions 226 and 227)

Projects focus on one of the below themes: 

  • Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness (Key Action 226): these projects aim to equip education and training systems to face the challenges presented by the recent sudden shift to online and distance learning, including supporting teachers to develop digital competences and safeguarding the inclusive nature of learning opportunities.
  • Partnerships for Creativity (Key Action 227): these projects aim to develop skills and competences and nurture talent to support creativity, in non-formal and formal education and reinforce cross-sectoral cooperation. 

As virtual cooperation opportunities are key to successful partnerships in the Covid-19 context, schools are strongly encouraged to use the eTwinning and the School Education Gateway to find partners and work together before, during and after the project activities.

Partnerships may also organise transnational learning, teaching and training activities of individuals (including blended mobility), in so far as they bring added value in the achievement of the project's objectives. 

School Exchange Partnerships (Key Action 229)

School Exchange Partnerships offer exciting international opportunities to your staff and students, including the exchange of students and staff training and teaching assignments.
 
The funding covers activities in the Erasmus+ Programme countries. 
 
To find out how much Erasmus+ funding was awarded to School Exchange Partnerships in 2019, you can view the 2019 Key Action 229 funding results (146 KB).

Strategic Partnerships for School Education (Key Action 201)

This activity funds UK schools to work with partner schools/organisations across the Erasmus+ Programme countries on projects of shared interest. Projects should cover three countries or more, and support exchange of practices or innovation.

To find out how much Erasmus+ funding was awarded to Strategic Partnerships for School Education in 2019, you can view the 2019 Key Action 201 funding results (135 KB).

Who can apply?

Funding is open to UK schools and colleges providing general, vocational or technical education to students aged 3 – 18 years. Please read our eligibility criteria for more information.

What are the benefits?

Taking part is a great way to discover new ideas, develop new skills and to explore new countries and cultures. It is also an opportunity to drive innovation and improvements in teaching and learning.

“Erasmus+ is really special; being funded for a European project has changed the way our school works and transformed our outlook.” Flora Ellis, Project coordinator, Sherborne C of E Primary School

“Our dropout rates have significantly reduced and all our key target groups have benefited tremendously.” Andrew James, Head of Training and co-ordinator of Computing & ICT, Shooters Hill Sixth Form College

“You can be so isolated in a special school so it has been wonderful to share practice with others. We go somewhere and see something and think, 'we could do that in our school'. We’ve benefitted so much as a whole school.” Jan Oyston, Deputy Head, Ysgol Heol Goffa

Read our schools case studies to find out more.

How to apply

The deadlines for Strategic Partnerships for Schools funding under KA229 and KA201 have now passed. The KA229 guide for applicants (577 KB) and the KA201 guide for applicants (591 KB) are available for reference purposes only.

In October, there were two additional funding for KA226 and KA227 (for specific priorities only) which have also passed. The KA226 guide for applicants (687 KB) and KA227 guide for applicants (578 KB) are available for reference purposes only.

Read our webpage for the latest information on Erasmus+ and the EU transition period.

Who should I contact?

Due to precautions taken at the UK National Agency offices in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, please note the following interim update to the British Council helpline numbers. 

In the first instance, we would encourage you to send queries via email and a member of the National Agency team will respond.

If you have any questions about this activity, please contact the British Council by email or telephone on 0161 957 7755.