Under Erasmus+ Key Action 2, funding is available for two types of projects - School Exchange Partnerships and Strategic Partnerships for School Education. You can apply for one or more activities.
How to apply
School Exchange Partnerships (Key Action 229)
- Exchanges of students - send groups of students on exchanges, accompanied by staff, lasting from three days to two months. You can also send students aged over 14 on longer-term exchanges of between two months and a year
- Staff training and teaching assignments - send staff on short-term training events of three days to two months, and long-term teaching or training assignments of between two months and one year.
Strategic Partnerships for School Education (Key Action 201)
- Testing and implementing innovative practices for students, staff and organisations
- Co-operating on curriculum development and reinforcing basic skills
- Facilitating the recognition and certification of skills and competences
- Developing active citizenship and entrepreneurship.
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.
You can also apply for School staff mobility funding.
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 do I find international partner schools and professional development opportunities?
On the eTwinning and the School Education Gateway websites, you can connect with international schools and colleges for Erasmus+ projects. You can also find thousands of training courses across Europe, covering topics such as School leadership, Inclusive teaching, Mental health, Digital learning, Languages, STEM, Supporting migrant and refugee children and much more.
How to apply
Schools can choose to be the lead organisation, or a partner in a project led by an organisation from another country. The lead organisation applies to the Erasmus+ National Agency in their country for funding on behalf of the project as a whole.
In 2020 there were two application deadlines on 23 April (11 am, UK time) for school exchange partnership funding (Key Action 229) and strategic partnerships for school education (Key Action 201), both deadlines now have passed. The KA229 guide for applicants (577 KB) and the KA201 guide for applicants (591 KB) are available for reference purposes only.
Read our webpage for the latest information on Erasmus+ and the EU transition period.
