The Erasmus+ Programme Guide is drafted in accordance with the Erasmus+ annual Work Programme adopted by the European Commission, and therefore may be revised to reflect the priorities and lines of action defined in the Work Programmes adopted in the following years.
Source: French Agency for Erasmus+ / Education Training
Erasmus+ is the EU Programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport for the period 2021-2027. Education, training, youth and sport are key areas that support citizens in their personal and professional development. High quality, inclusive education and training, as well as informal and non-formal learning, ultimately equip young people and participants of all ages with the qualifications and skills needed for their meaningful participation in democratic society, intercultural understanding and successful transition in the labour market. Building on the success of the programme in the period 2014-2020, Erasmus+ strengthens its efforts to increase the opportunities offered to more participants and to a wider range of organisations, focusing on its qualitative impact and contributing to more inclusive and cohesive, greener and digitally fit societies.
For the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ still encompasses six main sectors: School education, Higher education, Vocational education and training, Adult education, Youth and Sport. Erasmus+ is adapting to the major global challenges by focusing on three key priorities: being more inclusive, digital and green.
For the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ still encompasses six main sectors:
Erasmus+ is adapting to the major global challenges by focusing on three key priorities: being more inclusive, digital and green.
The financial aspects (budget) of the research Framework Programmes are among the most complex to manage. The program uses the full range of form of costs foreseen by the art. 125 Reg. 1046/2018 (“Financing not linked to costs”, “Actual”, “Unit”, “Plat Rate” and “Lump Sum”). According to different type of actions, different forms of costs can (or must) be used. The majority of actions (RIA, IA, CSA, ERC grants, EIC grants) use actual, unit, and flat rate costs. MSCAs use unit costs only. Prizes and other specific calls can use Lump Sum form. However, the use of a blend of form of costs is a decision of the EC services, so it is possible to find different combinations in different calls.
Peculiarities of this programme budgeting is that (depending on the call specificities) it is possible also to declare costs related to Affiliated Entities (former linked third parties), in-kind contributors, sub-grantees. Projects are normally open to Associated Partners (former International partners, i.e. entities allowed to take part to the technical implementation of the action, but not eligible for funding).
Indirect costs are normally 25% of eligible direct costs, not considering subcontracting, financial support to third parties (sub-grantees), costs of in-kind contributors when the contribution is not used by the beneficiary’s premises, and other specific situations where the EU contribution to the action may represent a case of possible double-funding (e.g. when receiving operational grants).
The compilation of the estimated budget at proposal level can be different according to the budget model adopted for each call.
For calls run under the traditional budget scheme (forms of cost: Actual, Unit, Lump Sum) the budget does not require to be detailed. Only the amount per partner, per budget category, is required. The detailed breakdown of costs incurred is required only during specific checks ordered by the PO, and (always) during Audits (CFS and II° level Audits). Consequently, estimating the budget at proposal level may appear a clerical task, nevertheless – give possible later checks and controls – underestimating the relevance of a well-designed and eligible budget can be extremely tricky, and costs declared could reveal to be ineligible when reporting, or during an audit.
In addition to traditional budget approach, Horizon Europe is expected to consistently implement a novel way to manage grants budget, the so-called new Lump Sum i.e. the form of cost “Financing not linked to the cost of the relevant operations” (art. 125 letter a – Financial Regulation 2018/1046). This form of costs was introduced in 2018, and piloted between 2018 and 2020, with the aim of simplifying the financial management of grants. It is expected to be used for RIA, IA and CSA mainly, but the real magnitude of its iation will depend by the relevant EC authorising officers responsible for each call or group of calls. When a call is implemented under this scheme, the financial reporting is no more required (i.e. no financial statements, no financial audits, no timesheets, …), and the EU contribution will be conditional to the completion of Work Packages, by all partners involved in its implementation) before the end of the reporting period. This novel lump sum model entails a detailed breakdown of project estimated costs at proposal level, per beneficiary, per budget category ad per work package, and very limited possibilities for budget shift are foreseen.
The following aspects revealed to be more prone to error, or poor implementation/management, in Horizon 2020:
Technical Implementation issues:
Financial Implementation issues:
The programme is expected to be entirely managed through the Funding and Tender Opportunities portal, or the AI EIC platform (for EIC funds)
The portal provides any practical information to participate to Horizon Europe, e.g official documents (work programmes, call for proposal, and models of grant agreements, guidelines, and templates). It is also the access point to the Participant Register, the submission facility, the System for Grant Management (SYGMA), the Project and Results area and the participation to the programme as an individual Expert.
Read carefully the entire call for proposal. Every line includes a piece of information valuable to prepare a sound proposal
Dedicate time to understand the call scope, challenge and expected pathway to impact – you need to demonstrate you understand how the innovation can reach the society and generate an impact
Involve you partners from the very beginning in the proposal preparation – it may take from 6 months to 1 year to prepare a competitive proposal, and it takes time to brainstorm with them and extract the best from each partner
Ensure you have the technical and financial resources to carry out the action, or at least you have a pan to secure them
Start working on your consortium agreement terms from the very beginning of your contacts with partners. The internal rules of the game are extremely important for your project to run smoothly, in particular about the ownership and rights to exploit research results
Don’t write your proposal alone, many expertise are required from your organisation. Collaborative projects are not one-man-band show, so proposals neither. Transmit to your partners the need of their involvement and contribution in the proposal planning and writing
Don’t underestimate the efforts and time required for the “2.Impact” section of the application form. While you are very good in writing about your science/technology/innovation (“1. Excellence”), you may struggle in figuring out and describe the benefits of your project for the world outside the academia. Get support from your team to develop this part in appropriately (e.g. experts from Social Sciences and Humanities, Knowledge transfer offices, Stakeholders external to the consortium)
Ask several review from independent experts or colleagues to identify weaknesses and remain open-minded to integrations
In particular for very competitive and recurring calls (e.g. ERC, MSCA, Accelerator, Pathfinder,…) consider that you may be not successful at first attempt. It may take more than one to be awarded. If your project is not selected, it doesn’t mean it is not good, it means it can be improved
Don’t offer to the EC unrealistic technical and scientific achievements for the sole purpose to rise interest on your project. Your proposal might be evaluated by experts from the same sector, so they can understand whether your ambition is realistic, and if the work plan can achieve the expected goals