[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 2, 2026 | September 3, 2026

Up to €4,000,000 per project (80% funding rate); €68 million total budget for the 2026 call; project duration typically 48 months.

Supports transnational networks to drive innovation, quality, and systemic reform in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe.

Minimum 8 partners from 4 countries; strict eligibility and partnership requirements apply.

--- ## Description The Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) initiative under Erasmus+ funds large-scale, transnational projects that establish collaborative networks among vocational education and training (VET) providers, companies, social partners, research institutes, and regional authorities. The aim is to create comprehensive skills ecosystems that foster innovation, regional development, and social inclusion, enabling VET institutions to rapidly adapt to changing economic and societal needs. Projects are expected to drive high-quality, learner-centered VET provision, support applied research and innovation, facilitate mobility and apprenticeships, and enhance professional development for VET staff. The action is closely aligned with EU strategies such as the Union of Skills, European Education Area, the European Green Deal, and the Digital Strategy. --- ## Due Dates - September 2, 2026: Full application deadline (as listed on the Calls for Proposals summary page). - September 3, 2026: Alternate full application deadline (as listed on the topic details page; 17:00 Brussels time). Applications must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by the stated deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum EU grant per project:** €4,000,000 (funding rate: 80% of total eligible costs). - **Total indicative budget for the 2026 call:** €68,000,000. - **Project duration:** Typically 48 months (extensions possible with justification). - **Funding model:** Lump sum grants, with detailed budget and work package breakdowns required in the application. --- ## Eligibility - **Type of applicants:** Legal entities (public or private) established in an EU Member State or a third country associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, active in VET or the world of work. - **Consortium requirements:** - Minimum of 8 full partners (beneficiaries, not including affiliated entities or associated partners). - Partners must come from at least 4 different eligible countries. - In each country represented, at least 1 VET provider (secondary or tertiary level) and 1 enterprise/industry/sector representative organisation must be included. - The coordinating organisation must be from an EU Member State or an associated country. - Organisations from eligible third countries (Regions 1-3, except Belarus) may join as beneficiaries or affiliates but cannot coordinate. - **Eligible activities:** Projects must address all three clusters: - **Cluster 1:** Teaching and learning (at least 4 activities) - **Cluster 2:** Cooperation and partnerships (at least 3 activities) - **Cluster 3:** Governance and funding (at least 2 activities) - Activities span curriculum development, digitalisation, professional development, applied research, business-education partnerships, governance innovation, and more. - **Geographic scope:** Activities must take place in eligible countries. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Online via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PEX-COVE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Application components:** - Administrative forms (Part A) completed in the portal - Technical description (Part B) uploaded as PDF - Detailed budget table (Lump Sum II format, Excel) - Partnership and activities information (Excel annex) - **Evaluation:** Single-stage process; proposals are evaluated on relevance, project design and implementation, partnership quality, and impact. - **Thresholds:** Minimum 75/100 points overall and specific minimums per criterion to be considered for funding. - **Notification:** Results expected by March 2027; grant agreements signed by June 2027. --- ## Additional Information - **Open educational resources:** Outputs should be made available as OERs under open licenses. - **No double funding:** Projects or activities cannot receive funding from multiple EU sources. - **Financial support to third parties:** Not allowed. - **Annual networking:** Budget must include costs for at least one annual project meeting recommended by the European Commission/EACEA. - **Seal of Excellence:** High-quality proposals above the quality threshold but not funded may receive a Seal of Excellence to facilitate alternative funding. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Call Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/ERASMUS-EDU-2026-PEX-COVE?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2026](https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-11/programme-guide-2026_en.pdf) - [Centres of Vocational Excellence – Erasmus+ Guide](https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-b/key-action-2/centres-vocational-excellence) - [Application Form Template (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/erasmus/temp-form/af/af_erasmus-bb-lsii_en.pdf) - [Detailed Budget Table (Excel)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/erasmus/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_erasmus-lsii_en.xlsm) - [Partnerships & Activities Template (Excel)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/erasmus/temp-form/af/information-on-partnerships-and-activities_erasmus-cove_en.xlsx) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Programme/Call queries | eacea-eplus-vet@ec.europa.eu | | Portal/IT helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | General EC contact | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EC contact page | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | ---

Centres of Vocational Excellence

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