Erasmus+ has launched a call under Key Action 3 for organisations ready to systematically test effective school-level interventions to address underachievement in basic skills — reading, mathematics and science. Specifically, the total topic budget is €9,000,000, with a maximum grant of €1,000,000 per project. The deadline is 8 April 2026.
The call is guided by the 2022 Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success and supports transnational cooperation projects that pilot evidence-based approaches with strong potential for scaling into structural policy reforms. Notably, this is Topic 6 of the broader European Policy Experimentations call (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP), which consists of 10 separate topics with a combined budget of €54 million. The programme is managed by EACEA, and applications are submitted exclusively through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
| Topic Budget €9,000,000 |
Max Grant per Project €1,000,000 |
Deadline 8 April 2026, 17:00 CET |
Project Duration 24-36 months |
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Purpose and Policy Context
Despite continued efforts across EU member states, a significant share of pupils leave compulsory schooling without reaching a basic level of reading, mathematics and science proficiency. Consequently, this gap poses a direct threat to labour market competitiveness, social cohesion and the EU’s economic performance.
The call ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS specifically addresses this challenge by funding transnational projects that pilot and test school-level interventions focused on early identification and tailor-made, individual support. Furthermore, all projects must generate robust evidence capable of informing large-scale policy reform across participating countries.
The conceptual framework is the 2022 Council Recommendation on Pathways to School Success, which proposes a whole-system, whole-school approach to guide policymakers and education practitioners. Additionally, EACEA has developed system-level guidelines outlining measures with a proven impact on improving basic skills proficiency, with a focus on early intervention and individual, tailor-made support.
What the Call Funds
The call funds transnational school education cooperation projects that develop, implement and test interventions to improve basic skills proficiency. In particular, funded activities fall across the following areas:
Early Identification and Individual Support
Developing and testing models for early identification of learning difficulties and targeted support systems. Special attention is given to pupils from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Teacher Training and Professional Development
Piloting professional development programmes for teachers in evidence-based methods for teaching basic skills and managing diverse classrooms. Additionally, supporting school leaders in building an inclusive school culture.
Whole-School and Community Approach
Testing mechanisms for parental engagement, school-to-local-authority cooperation, and collaboration with social services. Furthermore, piloting innovative approaches to the organisation of the learning environment.
Evidence Generation and Scalability
All projects are required to generate a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of tested interventions, suitable for scaling up at regional and national level. Consequently, proposals must include a robust evaluation and dissemination plan.
Who Can Apply
Applications are submitted by consortia of at least 5 organisations from at least 3 different Erasmus+ programme countries. One organisation acts as coordinator and submits the application on behalf of the full consortium through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal to EACEA.
Specifically, eligible consortium members include any legal entity actively working in the relevant field, notably:
| Schools, gymnasiums and other general secondary education institutions |
| Universities, teacher training institutions and educational research organisations |
| Public bodies in the field of education: ministries, regional and local education authorities |
| Non-profit organisations and associations in school education, parent organisations and teacher unions |
| Social partners, educational publishers and EdTech companies — provided they contribute specific added value to the project |
Organisations from countries currently negotiating association to the Erasmus+ programme may participate and sign grant agreements, provided negotiations are finalised before grant signature. Moreover, the full list of eligible countries is published on the topic page in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. We also recommend reading our guide on “How to Find International Partners for a Grant Consortium”.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted exclusively in electronic form via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 8 April 2026, 17:00 CET.
Key Submission Details
Topic ID: ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS
Programme manager: EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency)
Application language: English
Portal: EU Funding & Tenders Portal — Topic T06-SCHOOL-BS
Furthermore, EACEA has published a FAQ and topic-specific Q&As directly in the Funding & Tenders Portal under the “Topic Q&As” section. For any additional queries, contact EACEA at: EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu. Additionally, before preparing your budget, we recommend reading our “Grant Budgeting Made Simple: A Financial Guide for 2026”.
Call opening: 6 January 2026
Deadline: 8 April 2026, 17:00 CET
Expected project start: 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027
EACEA contact: EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu
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