Erasmus+ 2026 Funding Opportunities for Schools Simplified

This year, the Erasmus+ programme continues to support international cooperation and mobility across education sectors and the school sector is one of the most significant beneficiaries. However, with updated rules, priorities and deadlines, it’s essential for schools to understand exactly what funding opportunities are available, how they differ from others and how to prepare applications that stand the best chance of approval.

This guide below breaks down the main options and explains them in practical terms for teachers and coordinators.

1. Key Erasmus+ Actions for Schools in 2026

KA121-SCH — Accredited Mobility Actions

This action is designed for ongoing, continuous mobility involving learners (students) and staff.

• Who it’s for: Schools holding Erasmus+ accreditation.

• What it funds: Short- and-medium-term student and staff mobility.

• This action allows schools to send participants abroad for learning, internships, job shadowing and exchange experiences.

• Application deadline (2026): 19 February 2026 at 12:00 CET.

Why It Matters

Accredited mobility provides a stable channel for regular mobilities without needing separate approval for each activity, making future planning easier and more predictable.

KA122-SCH — Short-Term Mobility Projects

This action is similar to KA121 but does not require accreditation.

• Who it’s for: Schools that are not accredited or are new to Erasmus+.

• What it funds: Short-term physical mobilities (e.g., exchanges, visits and workshops) for students and staff.

• Application deadline (2026): 19 February 2026 at 12:00 CET.

Why It Matters

KA122 opens mobility to schools that might not yet qualify for accreditation making Erasmus+ accessible to a wider range of institutions.

KA210-SCH — Small-Scale Partnerships

This is one of the most flexible and accessible actions for schools.

• Who it’s for: Primary and secondary schools, including first-time applicants.
• What it funds: Transnational collaboration projects with 2+ partners.
• Application deadline (2026): 5 March 2026 at 12:00 CET with an optional second round around 1 October 2026 (depending on National Agency policy).

This option can fund joint mini-projects with partner schools, teacher exchanges for sharing best practices and short-term collaborative activities linked to curriculum themes.

Why It Matters

Small-Scale Partnerships are often easier to manage, require less administrative overhead and are ideal for schools starting with international cooperation.

KA220-SCH — Cooperation Partnerships

This action supports more structured and larger collaborations than KA210.

• Who it’s for: Schools with at least 3 partner organisations in different countries.
• What it funds: Medium- to long-term cooperation activities.
• Application deadline (2026): 5 March 2026 at 12:00 CET.
  
  

These projects often develop joint pedagogical tools, combine mobility with long-term development goals and involve more students and staff over time.

Why It Matter

KA220 enables deeper impact and shared innovation across educational systems.

KA240-SCH — European Partnerships for School Development

This is a brand-new funding opportunity in 2026 that links institutional development with Erasmus+ cooperation ambitions.

• Who it’s for: Schools and educational authorities working on strategic development goals.
• What it funds: Collaborative initiatives that strengthen school systems, not only individual projects.
• Application deadline (2026): 9 April 2026.
  
  

Why It Matters

KA240 focuses on long-term strategic change, not just single activities. This makes it a strong option for schools looking to integrate international cooperation into their institutional mission.

2. Important Priorities That Influence Funding Success

To increase chances of approval in 2026, applications should align with core Erasmus+ priorities as follows:

• Environmental Sustainability

Projects must demonstrate eco-friendly travel choices and reduced waste and climate learning outcomes.

• Digital and Media Literacy

Funded projects often include digital skills development, critical thinking and online safety education.

• Inclusion and Equal Access

Extra support is available for learners with fewer opportunities and schools with limited administrative capacity.

• Active Citizenship and Democratic Participation

For example, activities that promote civic awareness and participation in community or EU-related events.

These priorities now influence evaluation scores and are visible in the official Programme Guide.

3. Practical Tips for Applying in 2026

• Plan Early: deadlines are early in the year so by January, schools should already have partnerships, Erasmus Plans and coordination meetings scheduled.
• Understand Your Action
  
  : match your application to the correct action, such as accredited mobility, short-term mobility, small-scale, cooperation or school development.

• Build Partnerships Well: partner schools should share responsibilities, roles and learning goals before application. Strong partner commitment increases chances of approval.

• Align With Priorities:
  include sustainability, digital literacy or inclusion as core elements, not add-ons.
• Prepare Clear Budgets: financial precision matters in 2026 so budgets must align precisely with activities.

Erasmus+ 2026 Funding FAQs

Q: Can a school apply for more than one action at the same time?
A: Yes but each application must be clear, realistic and well-justified.

Q: Is accreditation required for all types of mobility?
A: No, only KA121 requires accreditation. KA122 does not.

Q: What if we miss the March deadline?
A: Some National Agencies may open an optional second call around 1 October 2026, mainly for small-scale partnerships.

To Sum Up

Erasmus+ 2026 continues to offer real and practical funding opportunities for schools, but success depends on strategic planning and alignment with programme priorities. Whether you are a first-time applicant or an experienced coordinator, the 2026 call opens doors for structured mobility, collaborative partnerships, institutional development and inclusive and impactful learning experiences

Ready to turn these funding opportunities into real school projects? TravelEdventures can help you plan, prepare and submit strong Erasmus+ applications so your school takes full advantage of 2026 changes and maximises learning impact across Europe. Get in touch with our team here.