The European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme applies to all types and levels of education and vocational education and training. It consists of four sub-programmes: Comenius (for schools), Erasmus (for higher education), Leonardo da Vinci (for vocational education and training) and Grundtvig (for adult education). A transversal programme complements these four sub-programmes in order to ensure that they achieve the best results through activities in policy cooperation, languages, information and communication technologies, effective dissemination and exploitation of project results. Finally, the Jean Monnet programme stimulates teaching, reflection and debate on the European integration process at higher education institutions worldwide.

This year’s priorities for higher education include curriculum development (CD) projects, projects focusing on cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises, and projects supporting the modernisation agenda for higher education institutions.

Total budget:  EUR 961 million

Main deadlines for application:

Erasmus University Charter: 28 November 2008
Leonardo da Vinci Mobility: 6 February 2009
Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC): 6 February 2009
Jean Monnet Programme: 13 February 2009
Multilateral projects, Networks and Accompanying Measures: 27 February 2009
Erasmus Intensive Programmes (IP) and Students and staff mobility, 13 March 2009
Transversal Programme: 31 March 2009
Transversal Programme: Key activity 1 — Study visits: 9 April 2009

European Commission