European Commission selects 20 new university alliances in 2026 Erasmus+ call
The European Commission announced on July 8, 2026 that 20 new European Universities alliances involving 190 higher education institutions have been selected, bringing the total number of supported alliances to 65.
Twenty new European Universities alliances have been selected under the 2026 Erasmus+ call, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture announced on July 8, 2026. The 20 newly selected alliances bring together 190 higher education institutions across Europe.
The selection expands the European Universities Initiative to a total of 65 supported alliances, according to the Commission’s published results. The initiative backs deep, long-term and sustainable cooperation between European higher education institutions.
The 2026 call carried a total budget of 145.6 million euros. Each selected alliance will receive up to 7.2 million euros in bridge funding over two years, covering activities up to the start of the next multiannual financial framework, the Commission said. The funding is intended to support the mainstreaming and scaling up of alliances’ existing work rather than to launch entirely new agendas.
Sixty-five applications were submitted to the 2026 call in total. Among the successful alliances, one had previously held a Seal of Excellence and becomes eligible for full funding for the first time under this round, according to the Commission’s announcement.
Activities of the selected alliances are due to begin in the autumn and winter of 2026. The Commission published the results document in English only.