• Lifelong Learning Policy
• General Policy Framework for Education and Training
• Mobility and lifelong learning instruments
• School education
• Higher Education
• Vocational Education and Training
• Adult Learning
• Innovation and Creativity
• Research and Analysis
• Lifelong Learning Programme
• Lifelong learning programme overview
• Erasmus for higher education
• Leonardo da Vinci for vocational training
• Comenius for school education
• Grundtvig for adult education
• Transversal Programme
• Jean Monnet for European Integration
• External Programmes and Policies
• Tempus
• Erasmus Mundus
• Co-operation with industrialised countries
• External co-operation in education and training
• More Information
• Reports and studies
• Education and training in the Member States
• Former programmes
• Dissemination and Exploitation of Results
• Lifelong learning programme
• Who we are
• Our Commissioner
• Our Structure
• Our mission

Tempus: Modernisation of Higher Education in countries surrounding the EU

Tempus finances two types of actions:

1. Joint Projects are based on multilateral partnerships between higher education institutions in the EU and the partner countries. They can develop, modernise and disseminate new curricula, teaching methods or materials, boost a quality assurance culture, and modernise the management and governance of higher education institutions.
2. Structural Measures contribute to the development and reform of higher education institutions and systems in partner countries, to enhance their quality and relevance, and increase their convergence with EU developments.

Partnerships are made up of consortia of organisations including higher education institutions, businesses, ministries, NGOs, and other organisations working in higher education; both from the EU and partner countries.

Launch of Tempus IV

The latest phase of the programme, Tempus IV, started in 2008. The annual Tempus budget amounts to around €50 million, and individual projects receive funding between €0.5 and €1.5 million. All conditions and criteria to apply for Tempus funds are laid out in the text of the call for proposals which is available in English, German and French.

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Agency Executive is responsible for the management of all Tempus actions, under the supervision of the European Commission.

The Erasmus Mundus 'Action 2' is a complimentary programme that funds higher education student and teaching staff mobility activities between European universities and universities from targeted third-countries.