Call: Jean Monnet Actions in the field of Higher Education: Centres of Excellence

The Jean Monnet actions offer opportunities in the field of higher education and in other fields of education and training. The Jean Monnet actions contribute to spread knowledge about the European Union integration matters. The following actions are supported:

• Jean Monnet Actions in the field of higher education
• Jean Monnet Actions in other fields of education and training

Jean Monnet Activities are expected to produce the following main results:

• Fostered knowledge and awareness about European Union matters;
• fostered excellence in teaching and research in EU studies;
• increased opportunities for teaching, learning and debating on EU subjects;
• improved quality of teaching and professional training on EU subjects;
• fostered dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers, in particular to enhance governance of EU policies;
• diversification and mainstreaming of EU-related subjects in teaching programmes of higher education institutions;
• greater engagement of young academics in teaching and research on European subjects.

The Jean Monnet Action in the field of Higher Education supports Teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide.

By EU studies it is meant the study of Europe in its entirety, with particular emphasis on the EU dimension, from an internal but also from a global perspective.

The scope of EU studies can be varied so long as the EU angle is explored.

EU studies should promote active European citizenship and values and deal with the role of the EU in a globalised world, enhancing awareness of the Union and facilitating future engagement as well as people-to-people dialogue.

The Jean Monnet Action also strive to function as a vector of public diplomacy towards third countries, promoting EU values and enhancing the visibility of what the European Union stands for and what it intends to achieve.

Objectives

The Jean Monnet “Teaching and Research” actions will:

• promote excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide;
• foster the dialogue between the academic world and society, including local and state level policy-makers, civil servants, civil society actors, representatives of the different levels of education and of the media;
• generate knowledge and insights in support of EU policy-making and strengthen the role of the EU within Europe and in a globalised world;
• reach out to a wider public and spread knowledge about the EU to the wider society (beyond academia and specialised audiences) bringing the EU closer to the public.

The action also strives to function as a vector for public diplomacy towards partner countries, promoting EU values and enhancing the visibility of what the European Union actually stands for and what it intends to achieve.

Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence are focal points of competence and knowledge on European Union subjects. They should gather the expertise and competences of high-level experts aiming to at develop synergies between the various disciplines and resources in European studies (as described above) as well as at creating joint transnational activities, they also ensure openness to civil society. Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence have a major role in reaching out to students from faculties not normally dealing with European Union issues as well as to policy makers, civil servants, organised civil society and the general public at large.

Any higher education institution established in an EU Member State, third country associated to the Programme or third country not associated to the Programme can submit an application.

Individuals cannot apply directly for a grant.

HEIs established in EU Member States and third countries associated with the Programme must hold a valid ECHE.

An ECHE is not required for participating HEIs in Third countries not associated with the Programme.

Only one Jean Monnet Center of Excellence will be supported at the same time in any participating HEI. The host institution coordinates the activities for one or more Faculties/Departments.

European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) - https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/index_en

Since 2006, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency has been a catalyst for projects in education, training, youth, sport, audiovisual, culture, citizenship and humanitarian aid. On behalf of the European Commission, EACEA strives to foster innovation in these areas, always in a spirit of cross-border cooperation and mutual respect.

EACEA are project managers, facilitators of knowledge exchange, and supporters of European projects that connect people and cultures.

National Agencies

To bring Erasmus+ as close as possible to the participants and make sure it works well across different countries, the EU works with National Agencies to manage the programme.

The National Agencies are based in Programme Countries and their role involves

• providing information on Erasmus+
• selecting projects to be funded
• monitoring and evaluating Erasmus+
• supporting applicants and participants
• working with other National Agencies and the EU
• promoting Erasmus+
• sharing success stories and best practices

The list of National Agencies can be found here. Countries not in the list of Programme countries may alternately have a National Erasmus+ Office.

National Erasmus+ Offices

National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs) assist the European Commission and local authorities in the implementation of Erasmus+ in certain Partner Countries.

These countries are located in the Western Balkans, the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean and Central Asia. Russia also has a National Office.

Providing information on Erasmus+, monitoring and evaluating funded projects, assisting applicants and participants, supporting policy dialogue and maintaining contact with local authorities and EU Delegations are among the responsibilities of the NEOs.