Vocational Education and Training: Developing basic skills in Vocational Education and Training

Overview

Funding for transnational projects testing innovative approaches to improve basic skills in vocational education and training (VET), including apprenticeships at EQF levels 3 and 4. Targets public authorities, VET providers, and organizations working to integrate evidence-based practices into VET curricula.

Who Can Apply

Public authorities, VET providers, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and consortia from eligible countries. Cooperation with local, regional, or national public authorities is strongly encouraged.

Funding Details

Exact grant amounts and total budget are not specified. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant under the Erasmus+ programme.

What Is Funded

Projects focused on developing, implementing, and testing innovative practices to strengthen one or more of the five basic skills in VET (school-based and work-based, including apprenticeships). Activities must align with the VET Recommendation, Herning Declaration, and Basic Skills Action Plan, and provide policy guidance or recommendations.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 4 and 6, indicating validation and testing in relevant environments.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-01-05
• Deadline: 2026-04-07T22:00:00Z
• Evaluation period: April–July 2026
• Applicant notification: October 2026
• Grant agreement signature: By January 2027

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must include a technical description (Part B) limited to 40 pages, adhering to the specified layout and guidelines.

Post-Award Obligations

Not explicitly stated, but typical Erasmus+ requirements may include reporting, dissemination of results, and compliance with grant agreement terms.

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 demonstrate a strong European dimension, methodological soundness, and potential for scalability. Cooperation with public authorities is encouraged to ensure systemic impact. Detailed conditions, evaluation criteria, and thresholds are outlined in the call document.