Knowledge alliances Erasmus+ Key action 2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices Version October 2013

General objectives European education and training Reducing early-school leavingImproving the leadership of teachers via teacher education Modernizing higher education by improving its quality, efficiency and openness, and by upgrading the skills and competences of graduates to increase their labour market relevance Enhancing the international dimension of education and training, in particular sustainable cooperation with partner countries Reducing the number of low-skilled adults by means of up-skilling and re-skilling initiatives in the adult learning (lifelong learning) system Enhancing transversal skills including digital skills, entrepreneurial skills and language skillsIncreasing and improving learning opportunities by digital technologies

Horizontal policy priorities Erasmus+

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Learning mobility of individuals Student and staff mobility Joint Master degrees Key Action 2 Cooperation and innovation for good practices Strategic partnerships Partnerships between the world of work and education and training institutions IT support Platforms Capacity building with Partner countries Key Action 3 Support for policy reform Knowledge collection and use Prospective initiatives Support to European policy tools Cooperation with international organisations Stakeholder dialogue, policy and programme promotion

Key action 2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices Strategic partnerships Partnerships between the world of work and education and training institutions IT support Platforms Development, capacity building, regional integration, knowledge exchanges and modernisation processes.

Partnerships between the world of work and education and training institutions focus on higher education & business collaboration Knowledge alliances: Focus on vocational training programmes Sector Skills Alliances:

Knowledge alliances: specific objectives and expected results Develop new, innovative and multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning Stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial competence of students, academic and company staff Facilitate the exchange, flow and co-creation of knowledge

Which activities are supported? Boosting innovation in higher education, business and the broader scocio-economic environment Stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises Developing entrepreneurship mind-set and competences

Boosting innovation in higher education, business and the broader socio-economic environment Joint development and implementation of new learning and teaching methods New multidiscplinary curricula Learner centred and real problem-based teaching & learning Organisation of continuing educational programmes and activities with and within companies Joint development of solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation

Stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises Study field related activities in enterprises (fully embedded in curriculum, recognised and credited) Set-ups to trial and test innovative measures Exchange of students, researchers, teaching staff and company staff for a limited period Involvement of company staff in teaching and research

Developing entrepreneurship mind-set and competences Schemes of transversal skills’ learning and application throughout higher education programmes (strengthening employability, creativity and new professional paths) Entrepreneurship education to provide students, researchers, staff and educators with knowledge, skills and motivation to engage in entrepreneurial activities in a variety of settings Practical application of entrepreneurial skills, e.g. involvement in the commercialisation of new services/products and prototypes, the creation of start-ups and spin-offs

Mobility in Knowledge Alliances Mobility activities of students, researchers, teaching and company staff is possible but only when added value is clear Mobility activities are not the main focus here Extensive mobility activities need to be funded through Key Action 1

Programme & Partner countries Erasmus+ Programme countries o EU-28 (including Overseas Country and Territory depending on Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom ) o Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland o Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Rest of the world = Partner countries ( limitations per action and calls may apply ) Third countries neighbouring the EU Western Balkan Eastern Partnership countries South-Mediterranean countries Other partner countries Industrialised countries Africa, Carribean and Pacific Asia and Latin-America

Knowledge alliances minimum requirements Consortium o Min. 6 public/private organisations from at least 3 different programme countries o Max. 1 public/private organisation from a partner country o Min. 2 higher education institutions, each having a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education o Min. 2 enterprises Coordinator = organisation from Programme Country Associated partners that do not receive fund

Award criteria Relevance of the project Purpose of cooperation Annual priorities of Erasmus+ Consistence of proposed actions Innovation in processes and outcomes European added value (trans- nationality and potential transferability) Quality of project design and implementation Coherence Work programme structure Management (timeline, organisation, tasks & responsibilities) Quality and financial control Quality of the project team and the cooperation arrangements Configuration of consortium Commitment consortium partners Complementarity partnerships Collaboration and team spirit Impact and dissemination Exploitation of cooperation outcomes Dissemination strategy Societal and economic relevance and impact Sustainability beyond project lifetime Are taken into account: proposals with min. 70% in total and at least half of the maximum number of points for each criterion

Call management and selection Centralised action, by EACEA First calls in November 2013 (to be confirmed) Deadline = March , 12:00pm (to be confirmed) Budget first calls = ca. 6 million euros Highly competitive Large consortia with clear indication of added value of each partner Project duration= 2 or 3 years Maximum EU co-financing = 80%

In need for some inspiration? 2011 and 2012 calls for Knowledge Alliances Opening up Education (September 2013) by European Commission Opening up Education Self-assessment tool for entrepreneurial universities Innovative learning and teaching methods Fostering entrepreneurial skills and attitudes Structured mobility and knowledge exchange between academia and business

KU Leuven advice and support Before submission via International Office o As soon as possible, inform International Office about intentions o Advice available on request for call specifications, possible (non) academic partners, consortium management structure, … o Compulsory consultation in case of joint curriculum initiatives with HEI in Belgium or beyond via ‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen’‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen Submission through International Office (rector as legal representative) After selection via International Office o Communication to EACEA for budget revise, clarifications, … o Grant agreement o Advice on consortium agreement and other documents commiting KU Leuven via ‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen’‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen

More information (will be available when final) Erasmus+ Programme Guide - Kwowledge Alliances Erasmus+ workprogramme Knowledge Alliances Calls

Johan Evers International Office 016/ Your contact person for Erasmus+ Knowledge alliances