Erasmus+ started on 1 January 2014 and replaces current funding programmes run by the European Commission in the area of education, training, youth and sport, including international programmes such as Jean Monnet and Erasmus Mundus.
The Erasmus+ programme will run from 2014-2020 and supports activities across all sectors of lifelong learning including Higher Education, vocational education and training, adult education, schools and youth activities.

Who can apply?
Erasmus+ is open to a number of countries across Europe and beyond. Participating countries are divided into two groups:

• Programme Countries (Member States of the European Union, the EEA countries Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, and the Former Yugoslavian republic of Macedonia)
• Partner Countries (all other countries, including Australia)

Some Actions of the Programme are open to any Partner Country of the world. The specific conditions for participating in an Erasmus+ project depend on the type of funding opportunity concerned. Australia is specifically excluded from applying for capacity building projects within Erasmus+, as these are only open for countries in development in Asia, Latin-America, Africa and Eastern Europe.

Opportunities available for Australian universities
The Erasmus+ programme offers support to education and training organisations through a variety of different projects. Currently, Australian universities can apply to participate in:

Joint Master Degrees (as partners), developing joint degrees of exceptional quality open to students from all over the world.

• More information is available on the European Commission's website.

•  Programme Country applicants must submit their grant application by 27 March at 12 pm (midday Brussels time) for projects starting between 1 August and 31 October of the same year.

 Jean Monnet Activities aim to stimulate teaching, research and reflection in the field of European Union studies worldwide

• Jean Monnet Activities are run centrally by the European Commission’s Executive Agency in Brussels. More information is available on the European Commission’s website. 
• Applications must be submitted by 26 March at 12pm (midday Brussels time) for projects starting from 1 September 2014.

Credit Mobility, promoting the mobility of learners and staff from and to Partner Countries.

• More information is available on the European Commission's website.
• Partner Country universities should apply through their partner universities in the programme countries.
• Please note that this action will only be open for Partner Countries from 2015.

Strategic partnerships and knowledge alliances

• Strategic Partnerships offer the opportunity for organisations active in the fields of education, training and youth, as well as enterprises, public authorities, civil society organisations to cooperate in order to implement innovative practices.
• The purpose of Knowledge Alliances is to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity by fostering innovation in higher education via balanced, two-way knowledge exchange with enterprises and across the broader socio-economic environment.
• Both actions have a European focus, but non-European institutions are welcome to participate in the partnerships, if they can demonstrate an added  value
• More information is available on the European Commission's website.

How to apply
Check eligibility and compliance with the Programme criteria.