The European University Association (EUA), along with partners from across the European higher education sector are calling on policy makers to ensure an allocation of at least €60 billion for Erasmus+ in the EU’s next long-term budget.
Currently, the proposed budget sits at €40.8 billion for the period 2028-2034 but campaigners argue that this amount is not enough to fund “ambitious actions” that have been proposed for the next generation of the program.
EUA said that Europe now faces a “strategic choice” adding that “underinvestment in education would undermine the EU’s own political objectives”.
EUA secretary general Amanda Crowfoot commented: “When all factors, including inflation and new priorities, are taken into account, the proposed Erasmus+ budget for 2028-2034 would at best allow the program to continue as it is.
“However, it would not be able to fund enhanced and additional activities to underpin the Union of Skills and the European Education Area, as proposed by the European Commission.
“This means that there will not be enough to pay for more inclusive learning mobility nor properly funded alliances, let alone for the new scholarships in strategy priority fields. Education can make an invaluable contribution to the EU’s competitiveness agenda, but this requires concerted investment,” she explained.
In a joint letter by multiple partners – including the European Association for International Education, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), CESAER and many more – together representing thousands of higher education institutions, they make the case that Europe can only achieve its ambitions in education, skills and talent if Erasmus+ is “ambitiously resourced”.
They note Erasmus+ is one of Europe’s “most tangible success stories” and that such a significant “contribution to citizens’ lives and to Europe’s future needs investment that matches its proven impact”.
“For nearly 40 years, this popular flagship program has empowered millions of learners, strengthened institutional cooperation, deepened European integration and fostered global outreach,” the joint statement read.
It went on to argue that in a time of “heightened geopolitical tensions” the program “delivers long-term returns in skills, employability, innovation capacity and civic engagement”.
Education can make an invaluable contribution to the EU’s competitiveness agenda, but this requires concerted investment
Amanda Crowfoot, EUA secretary general
In December 2025, it was announced that the UK will rejoin Erasmus+ for the 2027/28 academic year, six years after leaving the scheme following Brexit.
As the voice of European universities, EUA worked closely with its UK members to advocate for their return to Erasmus+.
The agreement will mean UK students will be able to take part in the scheme without paying any extra fees from January 2027 and has been warmly welcomed by the international education sector. UK government modelling predicts that over 100,000 people in the UK could benefit from Erasmus+ within the first year of rejoining the scheme.
At the time, Josep M. Garrell, president of EUA, said that by restoring bridges between UK and European universities, the decision will “support student and staff mobility, cooperation between universities (including through the European Universities alliances) and joint policy development.”
The news prompted a wave of nostalgia across the sector as professionals, from the UK and elsewhere in Europe, reflected on the exchanges, encounters and opportunities that shaped their careers.
