With a substantial budget and a focus on innovation, this call aims to drive systemic improvements in education and training across Europe. This blog provides an in-depth overview of the call, including eligibility, funding details, and application requirements.
What is the Erasmus+ Forward-Looking Projects Call and Key Deadlines?
The Forward-Looking Projects Call is designed to support high-impact initiatives that address key priorities in European education and training. These projects aim to foster innovative policies, tools, and practices that can be scaled across EU Member States and Erasmus+ Programme Countries.
The call covers eight topics: enhancing basic skills in school education, promoting vocational excellence at national and regional levels, developing joint VET qualifications and modules, supporting the Pact for Skills, improving career guidance for adults, assessing digital skills and competences, ensuring ethical and effective use of AI in education, and leveraging innovative data collection and exchange for data-driven decision-making in education.
This call has a total budget of €32,000,000, with projects eligible for up to €1,000,000, covering 80% of costs under a lump sum grant model.
The application period runs from 18 December 2024 to 27 May 2025 at 17:00 CET. Evaluations will take place between June and September 2025, with results announced in November. Successful projects will sign grant agreements by February 2026.
Application Process, Key Restrictions, and Evaluation Criteria
Applying for Erasmus+ funding requires careful planning and compliance with specific guidelines. Below is a structured approach that simplifies the process while highlighting important restrictions and evaluation factors.
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Restrictions
To apply, organizations need a consortium of at least three partners from different EU Member States or Erasmus+ Programme Countries. Eligible applicants include public and private entities in education, training, research, or innovation. Projects must last 24 to 36 months, comply with ethical and legal requirements, and avoid financial support to third parties. Each organization can submit only one proposal per topic.
Step 2: Register & Access the Application Portal
Before submitting a proposal, applicants must create an account on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. If an organization has previously applied for EU funding, its existing account can be used. Once registered, navigate to the Erasmus+ section and find the relevant call reference ERASMUS-EDU-2025-PI-FORWARD to access full details.
Step 3: Prepare Your Proposal
A strong proposal is essential for securing Erasmus+ funding. Applicants must develop a detailed project plan that clearly outlines the objectives, expected outcomes, and overall methodology. The proposal should demonstrate how the project aligns with Erasmus+ priorities and addresses the specific topic chosen.
A well-prepared application must include:
➖Project Objectives and Rationale – Define the problem your project aims to solve and explain its relevance.
➖Methodology and Implementation Plan – Detail the steps and approaches for executing the project effectively, including key milestones and deliverables.
➖Expected Impact and Sustainability – Show how your project will create long-term benefits and how results will be shared or scaled.
➖Budget and Financial Plan – Provide a clear breakdown of estimated costs and justify how funds will be allocated.
➖Partnership and Roles – Identify the roles of each consortium member and how their expertise contributes to the project’s success.
➖Annexes – Include necessary legal documents, financial plans, and supporting evidence to strengthen the application.
Taking time to develop a compelling and well-documented proposal increases the likelihood of securing funding and ensuring smooth project implementation.
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
The deadline for submission is 27 May 2025 at 17:00 CET. It is advisable to finalize the proposal a few days in advance to address any last-minute technical issues.
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection
After submission, proposals go through a rigorous evaluation process. Applications must score at least 70 out of 100 points to be eligible for funding. The key evaluation criteria include relevance to EU priorities, project feasibility, and potential impact. Successful applicants will be notified in November 2025, and grant agreements will be signed by February 2026.
By ensuring that all elements of the application are well-prepared and meet the necessary requirements, applicants can significantly improve their chances of securing funding.
Conclusion
The Erasmus+ Forward-Looking Projects Call 2025 provides a valuable opportunity for organizations to contribute to shaping the future of education and training in Europe. With funding of up to €1,000,000 per project, this initiative aims to foster transformative change through innovative and scalable solutions.
If your organization is interested in applying, start by identifying the most relevant topic, assembling a strong consortium, and preparing a well-structured proposal. A thorough needs analysis, robust implementation plan, and effective dissemination strategy will increase your chances of success.
Join EUcalls today to find partners, access resources, and receive expert guidance in preparing a successful Forward-Looking Erasmus+ application.
