Leadership Development programme for higher education institutions’ leaders

Overview

A leadership development program designed to strengthen the capabilities of higher education institution leaders across Europe, enabling transformative change in response to digital, green, and societal challenges. Targets leaders seeking to foster innovation, sustainability, and transnational cooperation in higher education.

Who Can Apply

Higher education institutions, consortia, or organizations with expertise in leadership development, education policy, or institutional transformation. Eligible applicants must be based in one of the listed EU Member States, EEA countries, or the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Funding Details

Exact grant amounts and total budget are not specified. Funding is provided as a lump sum under the Erasmus+ program, with details outlined in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

What Is Funded

Development and testing of innovative leadership approaches, including:

• Exploratory, experiential, and action-oriented training programs.
• Solutions for green and digital transitions in higher education.
• Sustainable academic career models and leadership practices rooted in European values.
• Dissemination of outputs (learning materials, case studies, policy briefs) at institutional, national, and European levels.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 4 and 6, indicating validated prototypes or pilot implementations in relevant environments.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2025-12-02
• Deadline: 2026-03-02T23:00:00Z
• Evaluation period: March–May 2026
• Applicant notification: June–July 2026
• Grant agreement signature: By October 2026

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal). Proposals must adhere to page limits and formats specified in the call document (Part B of the Application Form).

Post-Award Obligations

Dissemination of project outputs (e.g., training resources, case studies, policy briefs) at institutional, national, and European levels. Reporting requirements are outlined in the Model Grant Agreement.

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland. Application language: English.

Notes

Proposals must align with European values, including academic freedom, sustainability, and diversity. Balanced participation across gender, age, institutional profiles, and expertise is encouraged. The program emphasizes transnational cooperation and practical, action-oriented leadership development.