The Jean Monnet Programme – how to participate
This page provides information for higher education institutions wishing to participate in the Jean Monnet Programme actions funded through the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme.
Academics wishing to take part in any of the actions must apply through the annual call for proposals.
General Lifelong Learning (LLP) Call for Proposals 2011 and Guide to the programme Specific part of the LLP Call for Proposals related to the Jean Monnet ActionApplicants should meet all requirements listed in the call. Here are some tips and guidance based on past experiences:
- Jean Monnet is designed to increase knowledge and awareness about European integration by promoting teaching, research and debate (relevant subjects include the EU's relations with other regions in the world and the dialogue between peoples and cultures).
- Jean Monnet is aimed exclusively at higher education institutions (university-level). They must be formally recognised in their country (i.e. have a proper legal status) before they can participate.
- Since 2001, Jean Monnet has operated on a worldwide basis. The network is currently active in 62 countries on the five continents. Universities from every country in the world are eligible and encouraged to apply.
- The selection of Jean Monnet projects works via an annual call for proposals. The call is managed by the EU’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency.
Higher education institutions can apply for support for the following activities related to European integration:
- Jean Monnet Modules: short courses of minimum 40 teaching hours per academic year. Modules may cover several disciplines (maximum grant over three years: 21 000 euro)
- Jean Monnet Chairs: teaching posts with a specialisation in European integration studies. Chair holders must personally teach a minimum of 90 hours per academic year (maximum grant over three years: 45 000 euro).
- "Ad personam" Jean Monnet Chairs: teaching posts reserved for: (i) distinguished Jean Monnet Chairs who deliver evidence of a high-level international teaching and publication record (part of which was achieved outside their country of residence); or (ii) professors with a background as high-level practitioners in European integration. Chair holders must personally teach a minimum of 90 hours per academic year (maximum grant over three years: 45 000 euro).
- Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence: institutes pooling scientific, human and documentary resources, studies and research on European integration studies within one or more universities. Each Centre works under the direction of a Jean Monnet Chair (maximum grant over three years: 75 000 euro).
- Associations of professors and researchers: for associations whose aim is to enhance the visibility of regional or national scientific and physical resources in European integration studies (maximum grant over three years: 24 000 euro).
- Information and research activities relating to European integration: promoting discussion, reflection and knowledge about via conferences, seminars, and round tables (maximum grant over one year: 40 000 euro).
- Jean Monnet Multilateral Research Groups: partnerships in European integration studies between at least three Jean Monnet Chairs from different universities in three different countries with a joint research plan (maximum grant over two years: 80 000 euro).
Please note that the information above is intended solely as a guide – applicants should read the full text of the call for proposals to understand the full set of requirements attached to each action.
Selection process
The Jean Monnet selection is centralised in Brussels to ensure consistency. Applications are submitted to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency on the standard application forms, not through any national body.The selection is based on a rigorous peer-review system: independent academic experts (university professors) assess the quality of each application according to four criteria:
- Quality of the applicants: excellence of the academic profile (CVs) in the specific field of European integration studies;
- Quality of the methodology and work programme: quality and detail of the planned teaching, research and/or debating activities (with particular attention to the academic added value, the multidisciplinary synergies and the openness to civil society);
- Impact and relevance of the results: likely impact of the activities on education and/or training at the European and/or global level, with specific attention given to activities outside the EU;
- Innovative character: degree of innovation in the project: creation of new teaching, research and/or debating activities (as appropriate); application by higher education institutions/associations in countries not yet covered by the Jean Monnet Action, or higher education institutions/associations not yet supported by Jean Monnet funding, or involving academics not yet in receipt of Jean Monnet funding for the same type of activity.
The European Commission does not impose any restrictions on the academic freedom of recipients of Jean Monnet professorships. The network is valuable and academically prestigious precisely because it creates independent and critical analysis of European Union questions.
