Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE)
A practical, applicant-first webpage layout for Erasmus+ KA2 CBHE:
definitions → objectives → strands → eligibility/partners → funding → priorities → timeline → indicators → checklists.
Start here (Applicant quick path):
- Confirm your country/region & strand fits
- Build an eligible consortium (numbers + roles)
- Align objectives & priorities
- Draft workplan, results, indicators, budget
- Prepare documents & submit on time
1) What is CBHE?
Definition
Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) is an Erasmus+ Key Action 2 cooperation action supporting
multilateral partnerships whose activities and outcomes benefit eligible third countries not associated to the Programme,
their HEIs, and higher education systems.
Key terms you should understand before starting
- Coordinator: the lead applicant that submits the proposal, signs the grant agreement (if selected),
manages overall delivery, reporting, and budget coordination for the consortium. - Partner: a consortium organisation with defined tasks/budget that contributes to implementation
and deliverables, and signs internal partnership/consortium arrangements. - HEI: Higher Education Institution.
- Third countries not associated: countries outside EU/associated group (eligibility depends on region/topic).
Tip: Put these definitions in your concept note so reviewers see you’re structuring roles correctly.
2) Objectives of CBHE funding
What the funding is trying to achieve
- Modernise and internationalise HEIs in eligible partner regions
- Improve quality/relevance of higher education for society and labour markets
- Strengthen governance/management and HE system development
- Increase cooperation between EU/associated and partner-region institutions
- Promote inclusion and accessibility in higher education
Common activity “buckets” (helps you structure work packages)
- Curriculum development / new programmes
- Institutional governance, QA, digital/teaching innovation
- University–society / university–business relations
- Policy/structural reform (when relevant, esp. Strand 3)
3) CBHE strands (types of projects)
Strand 1 — Fostering access to cooperation
Best for: newcomers to Erasmus+ cooperation, less active regions/organisations, widening participation.
- Lower barrier entry; focuses on building capacity to participate in international cooperation
- Often prioritises institutions with fewer opportunities / remote areas / less experienced teams
Strand 2 — Partnerships for transformation
Best for: strong partnerships ready to deliver wider institutional transformation.
- Innovation and reform in teaching/learning, institutional processes, external linkages
- Often expects broader and deeper impact than Strand 1
Strand 3 — Structural reform projects
Best for: system-level reform, strong policy linkages, national authority involvement.
- Targets higher education system modernisation and reforms
- Typically involves national authorities/ministries (or comparable bodies)
4) Eligibility & roles (who can apply)
Who can participate
- HEIs (core actors)
- Relevant organisations (quality assurance bodies, research/innovation actors, NGOs, employers, etc.)
- National authorities (especially Strand 3)
Applicant roles
- Coordinator: proposal submission + grant management leadership
- Partners: implement work packages, co-create deliverables, share dissemination duties
- Associated partners (if used): contribute without receiving funding (optional pattern; follow call rules)
5) Consortium composition (numbers & conditions)
General partnership shape (high-level)
- Partnerships combine HEIs from EU/associated countries and eligible partner regions.
- The exact consortium rules vary by strand and by national vs multi-country setup.
National vs Multi-country (how to choose)
- National: focus on one eligible partner country’s HE system needs.
- Multi-country/Regional/Cross-regional: wider regional relevance; requires stronger coordination and coherence.
On your page, include a small “Decision helper” widget: If your outcomes are policy/system-wide across countries → multi-country; if reform is country-specific → national.
Applicant note: Put consortium rules and partner counts early in your internal planning deck—most proposals fail here first.
6) Funding & what’s covered
- CBHE is managed centrally (EACEA) and published as regional “topics” under the Erasmus+ call.
- Grant size/duration depend on strand and topic; you must follow the specific call page and Programme Guide.
- Budget planning should map directly to deliverables, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
7) Priorities you should align to
(Show these as filters/tags on the webpage so applicants can quickly check fit.)
Quality & relevance
Inclusion & accessibility
Digital transformation
University–society links
Governance & QA
System reform (Strand 3)
Inclusion & accessibility
Digital transformation
University–society links
Governance & QA
System reform (Strand 3)
8) Timeline (what applicants need to plan)
| Phase | What you do | Outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping (4–8 weeks) | Need analysis, pick strand/topic, draft concept, confirm eligibility | 1–2 page concept note, partner list, draft work packages |
| Consortium build (2–6 weeks) | Confirm partners + roles, collect PIC/organisation info, draft MoU/commitments | Partner commitments, governance model, risk register |
| Proposal writing (4–10 weeks) | Design workplan, budget, indicators, quality & dissemination, sustainability | Full application + annexes |
| Submission | Final checks, validation, submit on portal before deadline (CET time) | Submitted proposal + internal archive copy |
9) Indicators (what “good” looks like)
Your webpage can include editable examples applicants can copy into proposals.
Example output indicators
- # new/updated modules, micro-credentials, or programmes approved
- # staff trained (with training hours + competency gains)
- # QA processes adopted (policy, SOPs, accreditation steps)
- # partnerships with employers/community signed and active
Example outcome/impact indicators
- Improved graduate employability proxies (placement, internship uptake, employer satisfaction)
- Institutional policy changes (governance/QA/digital strategy adopted)
- System-level adoption (ministry-endorsed guidelines; national frameworks updated) — esp. Strand 3
10) Applicant checklists (by strand)
Strand 1 checklist
- ☐ Confirm Strand 1 is allowed for your region/topic
- ☐ Show why your institutions/region are “less active/newcomer” (evidence)
- ☐ Keep scope realistic: fewer work packages, clear capacity-building pathway
- ☐ Define practical outputs (training toolkits, starter QA processes, pilot modules)
- ☐ Build a mentoring approach (experienced partner supports newcomers)
- ☐ Budget = directly tied to skills transfer + pilots
Strand 2 checklist
- ☐ Confirm transformation ambition (institution-wide changes, not only one course)
- ☐ Include university–society/business linkages with clear roles
- ☐ Show governance model (steering committee, QA, decision rights)
- ☐ Provide a sustainability plan (how it continues after funding)
- ☐ Define measurable outcomes (adoption, scale-up, policy integration where relevant)
- ☐ Risk & mitigation plan (partner readiness, approvals, staffing)
Strand 3 checklist
- ☐ Confirm national authority involvement is required/expected for your topic
- ☐ Map the reform pathway (policy problem → solution → adoption mechanism)
- ☐ Include system-level stakeholder plan (QA bodies, networks, ministries, HEI leadership)
- ☐ Evidence of legitimacy (endorsement letters, alignment with national strategies)
- ☐ Define policy outputs (guidelines, frameworks, accreditation updates, roadmaps)
- ☐ Build an exploitation plan (institutionalisation + national rollout)
Final submission checklist (all strands)
- ☐ Correct topic/region selected on the portal
- ☐ Eligibility double-checked for every partner (legal entity + role)
- ☐ Partner data complete (PIC/organisation info as required)
- ☐ Workplan matches budget and deliverables
- ☐ Indicators + impact are measurable and credible
- ☐ Dissemination + sustainability plans are concrete
- ☐ Internal approvals completed before portal deadline time (CET)
Channels to find open calls + partners
Where to find the open CBHE calls
Where to find partner leads / consortium ideas
- Erasmus+ Project Results Platform (search past CBHE projects and contact organisations)
- Project search page (filter by action/keywords/regions)
- National Erasmus+ Offices / NEO pages often share partner search guidance and CBHE databases (country-specific)
- University international relations networks (EUA, regional associations), LinkedIn calls, and thematic communities (use cautiously; always verify eligibility)
How to use the Project Results Platform to find partners (simple steps)
- Search for “Capacity Building in Higher Education” + your theme (e.g., SDGs, QA, digital, TVET pathways).
- Open 10–20 relevant projects; list recurring universities and coordinator institutions.
- Prioritise organisations active in your region and recent years.
- Send a short partnership email: your strand/topic, region fit, 3 bullets on contribution, 1 ask (coord/partner role).
Original sources (link-out section)