Guidance

Erasmus+ programme guidance for vocational education and training (VET)

Published 16 April 2026

Overview

This page explains the Erasmus+ activities that Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers can apply for.

Overview of the Erasmus+ programme includes more information on how the Erasmus+ programme works.

Introduction

Erasmus+ provides grant funding for VET learners, apprentices, recent graduates and staff to take part in study, training or work activities abroad. It also funds joint projects between VET organisations and partners overseas.

Eligible VET providers include:

• further education (FE) colleges
• schools and training providers offering vocational technical qualifications (such as T Levels or BTECs)
• workplaces and organisations delivering apprenticeships

FE providers may be eligible for more than one type of Erasmus+ funding, depending on the courses they offer. Providers can apply for more than one funding stream. Other funding streams that Further Education providers in the United Kingdom (UK) may be eligible for are:

• Erasmus+ schools funding, for providers offering academic qualifications such as A levels
• Erasmus+ Higher Education funding, for providers that hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE), or deliver higher education provision in a franchise arrangement with a lead higher education provider that holds a valid ECHE
• Erasmus+ adult education funding, for organisations offering adult education courses

Benefits for learners

International activities help learners:

• build technical and vocational skills
• gain confidence
• strengthen their future employability

Benefits for staff and providers

For staff and providers, the programme supports collaboration with peers overseas, helping them to gain fresh perspectives, develop their practice and strengthen the learning experience they offer.

Types of funding available

There are 3 types of Erasmus+ funding for VET providers:

• Key Action 1: which funds visits abroad, known as ‘mobilities’
• Key Action 2: which provides funding for organisations to work together on collaborative projects, known as ‘partnerships for cooperation’
• Jean Monnet Actions: which fund initiatives to develop knowledge and understanding of the European Union

Erasmus+ projects

When an organisation applies for funding, it applies for a ‘project’. This is the programme of work the organisation plans to deliver with the funding. It describes:

• what the organisation plans to do with the funding
• the activities it will run
• the objectives it aims to achieve, such as developing staff skills or improving language skills and cultural awareness for students

The next funding round is expected to open in November 2026.

For further information about how Erasmus+ funding works, see Overview of the Erasmus+ programme.

Key Action 1: mobility projects

Visits abroad are known as ‘mobilities’ in Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ provides funding to travel to another country that’s part of the Erasmus+ programme and spend time at a partner institution. This includes:

• students
• apprentices
• recent graduates
• staff working in VET providers

All learning mobility activities must be:

• Educational: designed to help participants learn or develop new knowledge, skills, attitudes and competences
• Transnational: brings people from different countries together so they can exchange ideas and learn from one another
• Structured: follows a clear plan, with an agreed programme, method and expected learning outcomes
• Strategic: contributing to a wider set of project objectives

Opportunities for students

Erasmus+ provides funding for students, apprentices or recent graduates of a VET programme to travel abroad to study at a partner institution or do a traineeship in a workplace.

Group mobility

A group of learners from a VET provider can spend time learning with peers at a partner provider abroad.

Learners and apprentices who are studying for a vocational technical qualification can take part in an Erasmus+ group mobility.

Mobilities can:

• last from 2 to 30 days
• include virtual learning activities

Staff organising the mobility will work with the partner provider to design a learning programme outlining the activities that students will do on their placement. You can choose the length of placement and the types of activities you will do.

Group mobilities must meet specific requirements:

• activities must take place abroad, usually at a partner VET provider (some activities may take place off‑site if relevant, for example, in a workplace or in nature)
• commercially available activities, such as language school courses, are not eligible for funding
• learners must be accompanied by qualified staff like teachers or trainers

Individual learner mobility

An individual student can spend time studying at a partner VET provider or do a work placement abroad. Students can learn from peers in other countries, gaining new skills and insights that help their employability.

Students and apprentices working toward a vocational or technical qualification can take part in an individual learner mobility.

These mobilities are:

• Short term: 10 days to 3 months
• Long term: 3 months to 1 year

Recent graduates can take part within 12 months of finishing their qualification.

Requirements:

• study placements must include a strong work‑based component
• the sending provider, host organisation and participant must sign a learning agreement
• learning must be formally recognised usually through a Europass Mobility document
• organisations must keep copies of these documents as evidence

Skills competitions

Students (plus accompanying staff) can receive funding to compete in skills competitions.

Skills competitions are structured, competitive events where learners demonstrate their practical, technical, and professional skills against industry standards. They are designed to mirror real workplace tasks and expectations, rather than academic exams.

The competitions can last between 1 to 10 days and staff can accompany learners.

Opportunities for staff

Erasmus+ provides funding for professional development activities to:

• teachers
• trainers
• other staff working in VET

This allows staff to learn new, industry relevant skills and methods that they can pass on to students and apprentices in their own courses. It can also help staff develop their own professional skills, confidence and career development.

Job shadowing

Staff working in a VET provider can visit a partner organisation in another Erasmus+ country to observe:

• teaching
• training
• other professional practices

A job shadowing mobility can last from 2 days to 2 months.

Teaching or training abroad

Staff can spend time teaching, training or delivering specialist input within a partner organisation abroad. Teaching or training assignment duration: 2 days to 1 year.

Training courses

Erasmus+ provides funding for staff to attend structured training courses in another Erasmus+ country. Course duration: 2 to 10 days.

How to apply for mobility project funding

Individual pupils or staff members cannot apply for Erasmus+ funding.  Applications for Erasmus+ funding must be made through a VET provider.

VET providers can apply for funding for short term mobility projects. This includes:

• FE colleges, schools or providers of vocational qualifications
• local authorities, academy trusts and organisations involved in VET education
• public or private organisations providing apprenticeships

Applications for mobility projects are made through the UK’s National Agency.

Please see the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for more information about what to include in your application, including the award criteria for funding.

For further details on what is covered by the funding, see Overview of the Erasmus+ programme.

Setting up a mobility project

Step 1: Check eligibility

Read the guidance in ‘how to apply for funding for Key Action 1’ and the Erasmus+ Programme Guide to confirm your institution meets the eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Find European partners 

Use Erasmus+ online platforms to build links with FE or VET providers, companies or other organisations in Erasmus+ programme countries, such as:

• European School Education Platform
• Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE)

Step 3: Register your organisation

Create an EU login account and access the organisation registration system for Erasmus+ and obtain an Organisation ID (OID).

Step 4: Plan your mobility project

Work with your partner organisation to plan the activities you want to offer, such as work placements, staff job shadowing or work-based learning. Agree on the skills and learning outcomes you want to achieve.

Step 5: Check the deadlines 

Deadlines for Erasmus+ funding will be published on the National Agency website.

Step 6: Prepare your application

In the application form, describe your organisation, project aims and planned activities.

Step 7: Apply

Submit your application through the National Agency.

Key Action 2: Partnerships

Key Action 2 provides funding for FE and VET providers from different countries to work together on shared projects. These partnerships must include organisations from more than one country, with one organisation acting as the lead partner.

Every project must link to one or more of the EU priorities, as seen in the Overview of the Erasmus+ programme, and the partners then agree on their own specific goals based on what they want to achieve together.

Projects focus on:

• building capacity
• creating new tools or ways of working
• sharing good practice
• linking VET with businesses and communities
• supporting people with fewer opportunities

There are 2 types of partnerships available, offering different ways for organisations to work together:

• small scale partnerships
• cooperation partnerships

Small scale partnerships

Designed for smaller providers or those new to Erasmus+. This type of funding is suitable for individual VET providers. 

Requirements:

• at least 2 organisations from different countries
• projects last 6 months to 2 years
• must address at least one horizontal or VET specific priority

Activities

VET providers plan and run a project with a partner organisation abroad, taking part in practical activities that help students and staff learn from each other.

Projects may involve:

• sharing teaching or training practices
• collaborating with local employers
• developing students’ digital, employability or sustainability skills

How to apply

There are 2 grant options for small scale partnerships: €30,000 or €60,000.

When planning your project, you and your project partners will need to choose the appropriate grant option to cover the cost of the project. This will be based on the needs and objectives of the project, and the activities you intend to do.

Applications for small scale partnerships are made through the UK’s National Agency.

To apply, you must:

• create an EU Login account to access Erasmus+ online portals

• then register your organisation in the Erasmus+ Organisation Registration System to obtain an Organisation ID (OID)

You only need to register once for an EU login account or an OID.

Cooperation partnerships

These are larger projects that involve at least 3 organisations from different countries for a period of 1 to 3 years.

This type of project is most suitable for large FE and VET providers or consortiums. 

Cooperation partnerships aim to support the development of innovative practice and promote cooperation and exchanges of ideas at European level.  Selected projects will be expected to share the results of their work at a local, regional, national and international level.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, a cooperation partnership must:

• address either one Erasmus+ horizontal priority or at least one priority related to VET
• involve at least 3 organisations from a minimum of 3 countries associated to Erasmus+
• last from 1 year to 3 years

How to apply

There are 3 grant options for cooperation partnerships:

• €120,000
• €250,000
• €400,000

When planning your project, you and your project partners will need to choose the appropriate grant option to cover the cost of the project. This will be based on the needs and objectives of the project, and the activities you intend to do.

Applications for cooperation partnerships are made through the UK’s National Agency.

To apply, you must:

• create an EU Login account to access Erasmus+ online portals
• then register your organisation in the Erasmus+ Organisation Registration System to obtain an Organisation ID (OID)

You only need to register once for an EU login account or an OID.

Other partnership funding available for VET providers

The Centres of Vocational Excellence

Centres of Vocational Excellence support networks that:

• drive innovative VET practice
• strengthen the attractiveness of vocational education and training
• promote inclusion
• support international mobility

The centres bring together stakeholders to form public-private partnerships, such as:

• VET and HEI institutions
• businesses
• charities
• social enterprises

These partnerships work together on projects that support 3 clusters of activities:

• teaching and learning
• cooperation and partnerships
• governance and funding

More information about which activities fall under each cluster of activity is available in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

Participating organisations must be active in the field of vocational education and training or in the world of work.

The following organisations can participate:

• VET providers
• VET provider representative organisations
• companies, industry, other employers or sector representative organisations
• national and regional qualification authorities
• research institutes
• innovation agencies
• regional development authorities
• international organisations active in the VET field

Partnerships must include at least 8 applications from a minimum of 4 Erasmus+ Programme countries, and must involve:

• at least one enterprise, industry body, employer, or sector representative organisation
• at least one vocational education and training provider at secondary or tertiary level

How to apply

Applications for funding are made through European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

To apply, you must:

• create an EU login account to access Erasmus+ online portals
• then register your organisation through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This is a 9-digit unique identifier given to organisations that participate in EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+

Alliances for innovation

These alliances support stronger cooperation and knowledge sharing between VET, higher education, businesses and the wider socio‑economic sector.

They encourage skills and curriculum development and foster a sense of initiative and entrepreneurship.

Alliances for innovation are split into 3 groups:

• alliances for education and enterprises
• alliances for sectoral cooperation on skills
• STEM skills foundries

Alliances for education and enterprises

Duration: 2 to 3 years.

At least 8 full partners from 4 programme countries.

Must include:

• at least 3 enterprises
• at least 3 education providers

Grants: €1 million (2 years) or €1.5 million (3 years).

Alliances for sectoral cooperation on skills

Duration: 4 years

At least 12 full partners from 8 programme countries.

Must include:

• 5 labour market actors
• 5 education providers

Grant: €4 million

STEM skills foundries

Duration: 2 years

At least 8 applicants from 4 programme countries

Must include 3 labour market actors and at least 3 education and training providers, at least 1 of which should be a higher education institution and 1 a VET provider.

• Grant: €1.5 million

How to apply

Organisations must apply to the EACEA for all alliances for innovation.

To apply, you must:

• create an EU login account to access Erasmus+ online portals

• then register your organisation through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This is a 9-digit unique identifier given to organisations that participate in EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+

Capacity building in VET

Supports partnerships between Erasmus+ countries and countries outside the programme to strengthen VET systems. In these third countries and support their contribution to social and economic development.

Participants may include:

• VET providers
• employers
• qualification authorities
• research bodies
• innovation agencies

FE and VET providers work with partners in these countries to build the capacity of VET institutions, improve the quality of training, and create stronger links with employers.

Eligibility

Applicants must form a consortium of:

• at least 4 organisations
• from 3 eligible countries
• including at least one VET provider at secondary level

To be eligible, applicants must be a public or private body that is active in VET.

Participating organisations can include:

• VET providers
• companies, industry, other employers or sector representative organisations
• national and regional qualification authorities
• research institutes
• innovation agencies
• international organisations active in the VET field

How to apply

Applications for funding are made through European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

To apply, you must:

• create an EU login account to access Erasmus+ online portals

• then register your organisation through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This is a 9-digit unique identifier given to organisations that participate in EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+

Jean Monnet Actions

Jean Monnet Teacher Training

This funding is for teacher training providers to develop learning materials and course modules that help further education or vocational education and training providers learn more about the European Union and its institutions.

Eligibility

Eligible organisations include:

• higher education providers
• teacher training organisations
• VET teacher training providers

Jean Monnet Learning EU initiatives

Jean Monnet Learning EU initiatives support VET providers to teach about EU related subjects, such as:

• democracy
• how the EU works
• EU history

Example activities include:

• EU themed lessons
• project weeks
• workshops
• study visits
• immersive learning experiences delivered as part of VET programmes or offered as extracurricular opportunities

VET providers can design and deliver content themselves or work with higher education institutions, charities and other organisations.

Eligibility

To qualify, projects must deliver at least 40 teaching hours per year for 3 consecutive years. The maximum grant per project is €35,000.

Jean Monnet Networks for VET

Jean Monnet Networks bring together VET providers, FE providers, schools and teacher training institutions to strengthen the teaching of EU related topics and to collaborate with partners in other Erasmus+ countries.

These networks are designed to give VET education a stronger international dimension and to support cooperation on how EU subjects are taught.

Organisations involved in a Jean Monnet Network work jointly to improve the quality of teaching on EU related themes.

Network activities focus on sharing expertise, exchanging effective teaching methodologies and developing joint approaches.

This can include producing shared resources, co‑teaching (in person or online), and creating a long term platform for collaboration on EU education within the VET sector.

How to apply for Jean Monnet Actions

Applications for Jean Monnet Actions are made through European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

To apply, you must:

• create an EU login account to access Erasmus+ online portals

• then register your organisation through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC). This is a 9-digit unique identifier given to organisations that participate in EU funding programmes, including Erasmus+

You only need to register once for an EU login account or a PIC.