The 2026 Erasmus+ call featured a dedicated total budget of €145.6 million to provide 2 years of financial support specifically designed for higher education institution consortia engaged in existing, deep transnational cooperation at the institutional level. Intended as crucial bridge funding ahead of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the call targets experienced consortia to help scale up, mainstream, and expand their successful initiatives.
Sustaining Innovation in Higher Education
With this new funding period, CHARM-EU will build directly upon its structural integration milestones, including its unique joint master’s programs, professional development offerings for early-career researchers, and scaling-up micro-credentials. The funding will play a critical role in increasing student and staff mobility, driving digital and green educational transitions, expanding institutional reach across its nine member universities and beyond, and acting as a role model transferring innovation to the wider Higher Education area.
Welcoming the funding renewal, Joan Guàrdia Olmos, Rector of the University of Barcelona, emphasized how crucial this support is for the future of European Higher Education Area:
“Globalization has transformed universities: they are no longer conceived locally, but on a European and international scale. Education, research, and innovation thrive on both local and foreign talent, capabilities, and resources. Because the social and economic impact of university activity has become truly global, initiatives like CHARM-EU are essential instruments for achieving excellence. The CHARM-EU network is leading a radical and profound shift in the European university and research system, making this decisive backing from the European Commission fundamental.”
The Rector added, “The success of CHARM-EU proves that we must continue to advance resolutely towards the internationalization of higher education. There is no turning back if we want to be global actors, increase our capacity to attract top talent, and secure greater international recognition for our students.”
Deepening Transnational Impact
The core focus for CHARM-EU over the next two years will be delivering tangible, scalable results that benefit its entire community.
Key priorities include:
- Adaptation to a Changing Geopolitical Landscape: shifting the alliance’s role to act as a proactive change-maker and a provider of holistic solutions for modern societal, political, and democratic challenges across borders.
- Advanced Digital Domain & AI Integration: expanding the application and adaptation of digital tools and virtual horizons. CHARM-UP will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) developments into its strategy and will pilot digital sovereignty.
- Contributing at the National Level: promoting transformation and innovation on national legislations and having an impact on national Higher Education sectors.
- Continuous development of a Highly Proactive, Agile, & Skills-Based Sector: continue working towards an agile, student-centered system. This satisfies the needs of learners who expect practical and real-life applicable education aligned with European policy shifts toward skills-based learning. CHARM-UP will continue to offer learners to solve high impact and urgent societal-challenges by collaborating with committed industry partners.
- Expanding Lifelong Learning to Tackle Workforce Shortages: scaling-up the creation of stackable micro-credentials, modular courses, and flexible learning pathways specifically designed for non-traditional, professional, and adult learners to mitigate the shortage of skilled workers in Europe.
By securing this competitive bridge funding, CHARM-EU reaffirms its position at the forefront of European Higher Education transformation, working closely with other alliances through FOREU4ALL, the European Commission and other stakeholders to build the universities of the future.