Why join this course
Struggling to navigate the world of EU-funded programmes? This course is your practical guide to understanding, building, and managing EU-funded projects, even if you’re new to the field. Join this course to gain clear, actionable strategies through self-paced and interactive activities designed to solve your specific challenges.
This on-demand course will help you with:
- Interpreting the structure and requirements of EU funding programmes relevant to higher education and international cooperation, including their objectives and application processes.
- Applying project management principles to ensure effective financial management and compliance with EU requirements.
- Developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies that foster collaboration among partners and maximise the impact and sustainability of project results through effective communication, dissemination, and monitoring.
Course units
Unit 1: Introduction to understanding EU-funded programmes
Want to better understand the fundamental aspects of EU programmes and funding opportunities for HEIs? Join Subject Matter Expert Laura Howard (University of Cadiz, Spain) as she shares her expertise on the main aims of EU programmes, how the funding mechanisms work, and what the eligibility requirements for participation are. She is joined by guest speaker Jake Broadhurst (Senior Partnerships Advisor, The University of Edinburgh, UK).
Laura Howard
Laura works at the University of Cadiz in Spain. She has over 30 years experience in the internationalisation of higher education in Europe, both as a practitioner at her university and on a wider scale as a former president of the EAIE. More recently, she has been involved in the management of the European University Alliance coordinated by the University of Cadiz, and in the development of the European degree label.
Jake Broadhurst
Jake is a Senior Partnerships Advisor at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Over many years, he has helped set up a wide range of academic-led partnerships that enable the University of Edinburgh to make a more positive impact on the world. These range from multidisciplinary responses to global challenges to a biomedical research centre in China and a new global data institute that will grapple with the darkest corners of the internet to protect children from harm.
From 2021 to 2022, he coordinated the ERASMUS+ EVALUATE project – Developing a Framework for Evaluation of International University partnerships. Jake is also steering group chair of Future UniLab – the Una Europa university alliance think-tank – helping universities to explore their common future; co-lead of the Thematic Expert Group on Internationalisation at HUMANE, the Heads of University Management & Administration Network in Europe; and discussion group facilitator on the Leadership Development Programme at The University of Edinburgh.
Jake founded TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh, co-founded the World Access to Higher Education Day and has been awarded the University of Edinburgh Principal’s Medal for Outstanding Service. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration MBA from the University of Edinburgh, an MSc Applied Computing from Dundee University, and a BSc Environmental Studies from Newcastle Polytechnic.
Unit 2: Introduction to the project lifecycle in EU-funded programmes
What does the project lifecycle in EU-funded programmes look like? In this unit, Subject Matter Expert Dimitris Kokkalis (independent expert based in Brussels, Belgium) helps you explore the entire journey from developing an initial idea, through proposal submission and evaluation, to implementation, monitoring and finally project closure and sustainability planning. He is joined by guest speaker Noelia Cantero Gonzálvez (Director at European Association of Regions and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning, Belgium).
Dimitris Kokkalis
Dimitris is an independent expert based in Brussels with over 20 years of experience in EU-funded programmes, particularly in higher education. He has worked extensively as an evaluator and advisor for Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and other international cooperation projects. His expertise includes project evaluation, strategic guidance, ethics in research and quality monitoring.
He has also coordinated panels evaluating internationalisation in higher education institutions. Earlier in his career, he contributed to the management of EU programmes within European Commission services, including Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus. Dimitris regularly supports organisations and consortia in designing, implementing, and improving EU-funded projects with a strong European and strategic focus.
Noelia Cantero Gonzálvez
Noelia holds a Law Degree and a Master’s in European Studies. With over 20 years of experience following EU policies in education and training, and more than 15 years managing EU-funded projects, she currently serves as Director of EARLALL (European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning) and as an external expert and evaluator for the Belgian Erasmus+ NA AEF Europe. She has extensive expertise in financial management, legal issues, coordination, policy follow-up, and stakeholder engagement.
Unit 3: Introduction to managing an EU-funded project
Subject Matter Expert Rui Mendes (Director of International Affairs, Técnico Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa's School of Engineering, Science and Technology, Portugal) will help you develop essential skills to navigate the complex landscape of EU funding in HE. You will gain practical knowledge of the frameworks governing EU-funded projects, the structural components of these projects and effective management strategies to ensure compliance and maximise impact. He is joined by guest speaker Victor Kordas (Senior Advisor International Projects, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden).
Rui Mendes
Rui Mendes is the Director of International Affairs at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon, where he has led internationalisation strategies and mobility programmes for over a decade. He has extensive experience in managing European-funded projects, having coordinated or contributed to nearly 30 initiatives under Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and TEMPUS, including strategic partnerships, capacity building and university alliances such as Unite! and FOSTWOM.
With a background in sociology (BSc) and statistics and information management (MSc), Rui brings a multidisciplinary approach to inclusion, data-driven policy and international cooperation. He has held prior leadership roles in human resources and institutional governance at IST and currently serves on various high-level committees, including the Steering Committee of the Magalhães Network (Europe–Latin America), and as Deputy Vice President of the T.I.M.E. Association. He also chairs the Grant Application Support Team (GAST) within the CLUSTER network.
Rui is active in public service, currently presiding over the Commission of Health, Social and Labour Affairs in the Cascais Municipal Parliament. He is a seasoned presenter and trainer, having spoken at EAIE, SEFI, FAUBAI, and ESOF, and is the founder of IEHEP—International Experts for Higher Education in Portugal. His expertise bridges policy, practice, and inclusion in global higher education.
Victor Kordas
Victor Kordas is a Senior Advisor International Projects for Project Support at the KTH International Relations Office, Sweden. He is mainly involved in project support linked to capacity building projects. He provides support for KTH teachers, researchers and administrative staff on all stages of project implementation from idea and application development to final reporting.
Who is it for?
This course is specifically aimed at international education professionals with limited experience in understanding EU-funded programmes, the project lifecycle in EU-funded programmes, and managing EU-funded projects. Whether you’re expanding your responsibilities or stepping into a new area, our accessible and comprehensive approach ensures you have the support and resources to succeed.
A new way to showcase your internationalisation toolkit
Earn a digital badge through the EAIE Academy Recognised Programme to showcase your verified new skills and knowledge for real-time recognition.