The Comenius programme focuses on the first phase of education, from pre-school and primary to secondary schools. It is relevant for all members of the education community: pupils, teachers, local authorities, parents’ associations, non-government organisations, teacher training institutes, universities and all other educational staff.

Comenius supports mobility and cooperation among all those active in school education in Europe.

Activities which can be funded under Comenius include:
•         school partnerships between schools in different European countries,
•         grants to enable teachers and other categories of staff working in school education to take part in in-service training in third countries,
•         grants to enable future teachers to spend 3-10 months in a school abroad,
•         projects which aim to develop, promote and disseminate educational good practice,
•         networks aimed at developing education in their subject area or discipline, acquiring and disseminating relevant good practice and innovation, and providing content support to other Comenius projects and partnerships.

Comenius also supports eTwinning, a portal promoting European school cooperation, collaborative learning and project based pedagogy.

The Irish National Agency for the Comenius Programme is Léargas.

See here for further information about the Comenius Programme.

Erasmus provides support:
•         for students to study and work abroad
•         for the staff of university or higher education institutes to teach or receive training abroad
•         for universities/higher education institutes in the form of academic and structural networks and multilateral programmes
•         for enterprises in the form of student placements, teaching abroad and university cooperation.

The Leonardo da Vinci programme focuses on the teaching and training needs of those involved in vocational education and training (VET). Leonardo da Vinci enables VET organisations to work with European partners, exchange best practices, develop the expertise of their staff and respond to the teaching and learning needs of people. It supports efforts to make vocational education more attractive to young people.

The programme funds a wide range of actions:
•        cross-border mobility initiatives giving individuals the chance to improve their competences, knowledge and skills through a period abroad
•        Europe-wide co-operation projects between training organisations to develop and spread innovation
•        thematic networks.

Potential beneficiaries include trainees in initial vocational training, people already in the labour market, as well as VET professionals and private or public organisations active in this field.

The Irish National Agency for the Leonardo da Vinci Programme is Léargas.

See here for further information on the Leonardo da Vinci programme.

The Grundtvig programme focuses on the teaching and study needs of those in adult education and alternative education streams, as well as the institutions and organisations delivering these services. Grundtvig not only covers learners in adult education, but also the teachers, trainers, education staff and facilities that provide these services.

Actions supported by Grundtvig include:

• Mobility, including visits, placements, 'assistantships', adult education exchanges (i.e. staff training and professional development) and the preparations needed to plan the exchanges
• Grundtvig Learning Partnerships focusing on themes mutual interest to participating organisations 
• Multilateral projects for improving adult education systems through the development and transfer of innovation and good practice 
• Grundtvig Networks of experts and organisations working on developing adult education, spreading good practices and supporting partnerships.

Any institution or organisation involved in Adult Education can apply for funding, from community groups to Universities.

The Irish National Agency for the Grundtvig Programme is Léargas.

See here for further information on the Grundtvig programme.

The Jean Monnet Programme aims to stimulate teaching, research and reflection in the field of European integration studies at the level of higher education institutions both inside and outside the European Union. The purpose is to enhance knowledge and awareness among academics, students and citizens world-wide of issues relating to European integration. The Jean Monnet network includes teaching, research and reflection projects in 60 countries on the five continents, including Ireland.

The Jean Monnet programme provides support for:

• University-level projects on European integration. These include university chairs, centres of excellence, course modules, information or research activities as well as support for academic associations of professors and researchers in European integration.
• Support for six specific academic institutions pursuing an aim of European interest, such as the College of Europe and the European University Institute.
• Support for European-wide associations active at European level in the field of education and training. These European associations must be present in at least 12 EU Member States.

Jean Monnet projects are selected on the basis of their academic merits and following a process of rigorous and independent peer review.

See here for further information about the Jean Monnet programme.