On 5 November 2025, the European Commission adopted the 2026 Erasmus+ annual work programme through a Commission Implementing Decision, setting the policy and funding framework for the year ahead. The Erasmus+ 2026 call for proposals followed shortly after on 12 November, accompanied by the publication of the 2026 Programme Guide. With a total budget of around €5.2 billion, the programme continues to support cross-border mobility and cooperation with a strong focus on skills development, citizenship education and the Union of Skills strategy (see ACA Newsletter - Education Europe, March 2025) . Across all sectors, the 2026 call foresees learning mobility opportunities for approximately 1,275,000 participants and support for over 100,000 organisations, including higher education institutions. 

For higher education, the 2026 Programme Guide maintains continuity in mobility and cooperation actions while reinforcing the overaching priorities of inclusion, digital transformation, the green transition and democratic participation. In line with the Union of Skills initiative, the 2026 call supports the development of basic and forward-looking skills, the recognition of qualifications, and measures that strengthen innovation and academic excellence. The Programme also maintains support for learners, staff and institutions affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including those displaced and those remaining in Ukraine. International cooperation remains supported through actions such as Erasmus Mundus and Capacity Building in Higher Education, while mobility and partnership projects continue to benefit from established support measures, including individual and organisational support, additional funding for participants with fewer opportunities, and the continued encouragement of blended and other flexible mobility formats. 

In parallel, the European Commission has launched the Erasmus+ European Universities Initiative (EUI) 2026 call, with a budget of €145.6 million providing two years of bridge funding for European University Alliances until the start of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The call is open to alliances previously funded under the 2022 Erasmus+ call, but it is not limited to them. Its objective is to allow alliances to build on their long-term strategies, upscale successful activities, and extend opportunities for students and staff. The Commission is also advancing work on a future European degree pathway, with new New Erasmus+ support foreseen for (i) European degree pathway projects enabling EU countries, together with their accreditation and quality assurance agencies, universities, students, economic and social partners, to implement a joint European degree label and explore the possibility of a joint European degree in their national context; and (ii) European degree exploratory actions to enable higher education institutions to adapt existing joint programmes or to create new ones leading to a joint European degree label (for more information on the European Degree, see ACA Newsletter - Education Europe, November 2025).