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To
participate in the SOCRATES/Erasmus programme every higher
education institution has to apply to the European Commission for
an Erasmus University Charter (EUC). The awarding of an EUC
gives a university the right to participate in Erasmus and to
apply to its National Agency for funding for decentralised
activities (SM, TS, OM, ECTS), and to the European Commission
for centralised activities (CD, IP).
From
the academic year 2003/2004 the EUC replaces the previous system
of Institutional Contracts (IC). The reasons for this change are:
- The
SOCRATES Decision requires that the administration of grants
for the Organisation of Mobility (OM) be decentralised
to the participating countries (i.e. the National Agencies).
This has been implemented from the academic year 2003/2004
onwards. In practice, this means that OM
funds are no longer distributed under the
Institutional Contract but through the National Agencies. Accordingly it was necessary to redesign the
IC.
- There
was a need to further simplify the programme's administration.
What are
the advantages of the Erasmus University Charter?
- The
Charter gives new momentum and visibility to Erasmus.
- The
Charter highlights the distinguishing features of Erasmus
mobility:
- the institutional foundation of Erasmus, being based on
agreements between universities
- free tuition
- full recognition of studies abroad.
- The
Charter also gives new visibility to the quality requirements
and conditions for organising Erasmus mobility.
- The
Charter promotes and reinforces a strategic institutional
approach and commitment to European co-operation in
participating universities. It provides an opportunity for the
universities to identify synergies between the SOCRATES
programme and the Bologna process. It highlights the role of
the SOCRATES programme in the building of the European
Higher Education Area.
Application
Procedure
Higher
education institutions send an application for an EUC to
the European Commission. All institutions will have to submit a European
Policy Statement
as part of their EUC application.
Institutions
submit an on-line application and send two signed paper
copies of the application (with original signature) to the
European Commission. The on-line application will be available in English,
German and French. Applications may be written in any of the
20 official EU languages.
How
to apply for funding for decentralised mobility
activities
How
to apply for centralised projects
Awarding
of an Erasmus University Charter
Approved
institutions will receive an Erasmus
University Charter
 signed by the European
Commission. Apart from giving the university the right to
participate in Erasmus, the Charter outlines the fundamental
principles of Erasmus and the minimum terms and conditions
that the participating universities must respect in carrying out
Erasmus activities.
The
list of approved institutions along with their European Policy
Statements is published as a measure to improve transparency, and encourage an exchange of
good practice and mutual understanding.
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