The European Commission announced on 9 July the results of the 2026 Erasmus+ call for proposals under the European Universities Initiative. The evaluation resulted in 20 of the 36 proposed European Universities alliances securing funding. 

The call has a total budget of EUR 145.6 million, as set out in the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programme 2026, with each successful alliance receiving up to EUR 7.2 million over a two-year period. The grants are intended to provide bridge funding until the start of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), allowing the alliances to maintain and scale up their activities starting in autumn-winter 2026. 

The European Universities Initiative will continue to support a total of 65 alliances – representing 190 higher education institutions across Europe – including one successful applicant that had previously received a Seal of Excellence and will now obtain Erasmus+ funding. In addition to the funded proposals, two applications were placed on a reserve list and four further proposals received a Seal of Excellence, recognising their high quality and recommending them for possible support from national, regional or other funding sources.  

The announcement was followed on 10 July by the Fourth Forum of European University Alliances, held in County Kildare, Ireland, under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The forum brought together EU and national policymakers, university leaders, students, alliance practitioners and higher education stakeholder organisations to discuss the future funding architecture beyond 2027 and the role of alliances in strengthening European competitiveness, inclusion and democratic values.