As our first contribution to the new programme, The Guild’s Erasmus+ working group delves deeper into Erasmus mobility grants.
Key Recommendations for the next Erasmus+ programme:
Return to basics: Simplify the grant system by focusing on stability and simplification over flexibility. The Guild recommends adopting a lump sum model for KA131 student grants with two additional top-ups to emphasise the programme’s focus on sustainability and inclusiveness.
Align intra-European mobility and International Credit Mobility: For Erasmus+ to become a strategic tool for internationalisation, the global dimension needs a significant boost in the next programme period. We suggest combining the two mobility strands – for example, to increase the use of intra-European mobility funds for outgoing mobility worldwide. At the same time, external policy funds could be used to support incoming international mobility on a greater scale compared to the current programme.
Increase motivation for sustainable travel: We believe that rewarding sustainable travel as a top-up grant is a better way of motivating students to use low emissions means of transport compared to a separate travel grant. Also, the programme should focus more efforts on promoting the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+ and supporting projects and student-led initiatives on sustainable practices.
Increase transparency: Ensure greater transparency in the selection criteria for top-up grants, particularly for inclusion criteria. The European Commission should facilitate a dialogue between national authorities to harmonise the selection criteria as much as possible. The list of criteria should be based on the principle of non-discrimination and easily verifiable data.
Harmonise mobility rules: Align rules for different mobility actions to ensure transparency and predictability. There is a need to improve our understanding of what works well and what should be changed. Mobility is still viewed through the lens of specific mobility actions instead of a portfolio of different opportunities.
Trine Høj Eriksen, International advisor at Aarhus University:
"The students are our main focus. And this should be the main focus of the programme as well. The Erasmus+ programme has been changing a lot. We believe that the purpose behind the changes to programme rules is to offer flexibility and support for students. But flexibility is not simplification. A student from Aarhus University going abroad for five months can potentially benefit from 40 different grants depending on the destination, top-ups, distance band, and green travel options. Today our time is spent more on administration than taking care of our students."
Jaanika Haljasmäe, Erasmus Programme Coordinator at the University of Tartu:
"We share a common goal across Europe to make international learning experiences, including mobility, a standard part of every student's educational journey. Universities have decades of experience in organising mobility, supporting students, and listening to their feedback. We find that the grant system has become overly complex, causing uncertainty among students when planning their mobility. Introducing a lump sum grant would enhance transparency and provide assurance to students that they can rely on the amount of scholarship from the very beginning."
Karin Krall, Deputy Head of International Office at the University of Vienna:
"While lump sums enhance transparency, we need to remember that no rule will satisfy everyone – but transparency builds trust in the process."