Knowledge alliances Erasmus+ Key action 2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices Version January 2014

Knowledge Alliances in a nutshell Knowledge Alliances are calls for large-scale collaboration between higher education and business Focus is on entrepreneurship mindset and skills jointly developed/performed education and training activities 2 or 3 year projects, min. 6 organisations Max. EU-contribution for 2-year project = 700 000 EUR Max. EU-contribution for 3-year project = 1 000 000 EUR Yearly deadline = 3 April 200X Start not earlier than = 1 November 200X

Overview Key policy priorities 2014-2020 Objectives of this action Eligibility KU Leuven support and procedures

Key policy priorities 2014-2020

General objectives European education and training upgrading the skills and competences of graduates to increase their labour market relevance quality, efficiency and openness of European higher education international dimension of education and training up-skilling and re-skilling initiatives in the adult learning (lifelong learning) system transversal skills including digital skills, entrepreneurial skills and language skills learning opportunities by digital technologies early-school leaving leadership of teachers via teacher education

Horizontal policy priorities Erasmus+

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Key Action 2 Key Action 3 Learning mobility of individuals Student and staff mobility Joint Master degrees Key Action 2 Cooperation and innovation for good practices Strategic partnerships Partnerships between the world of work and education and training institutions IT support Platforms Capacity building with Partner countries Key Action 3 Support for policy reform Knowledge collection and use Prospective initiatives Support to European policy tools Cooperation with international organisations Stakeholder dialogue, policy and programme promotion

Partnerships between the world of work and education and training institutions focus on higher education & business collaboration Knowledge Alliances: Focus on vocational training programmes Sector Skills Alliances:

Objectives of this action

Knowledge alliances: specific objectives and expected results Develop new, innovative and multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning Stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial competence of students, academic and company staff Facilitate the exchange, flow and co-creation of knowledge Transational, Innovation & sustainability & impact driven Open to any discipline, sector and cross-sectoral cooperation

Results, dissemination & exploitation Tangible results: reports, events, newsletters, good practice guide, case studies, ... Intangible results such as experience gained, increased (language) skills and awareness by interviews, questionnaires, tests and observations Define target audiences and approaches Before, during and after project Use Erasmus+ dissemination Platform Information tool Project database Tangible deliverables Showcasing best practices (annual selection by NA or EACEA)

Results, dissemination & exploitation Multiplier events Organisation of national and transnational conferences/seminars/events aimed at sharing and disseminating the intellectual outputs realised by the project Multiplier events taking place in a Partner Country are not eligible for funding! Assessment of success Facts and figures related to the website of project organisers (updates, visits, consultation, cross referencing); Numbers of meetings with key stakeholders; Numbers of participants involved in discussions and information sessions (workshops, seminars, peer reviews); follow-up measures; Visibility in the social media; Participation in public events; Links with existing networks and transnational partners; transfer of information and know-how; Impact on regional, national, EU policy measures; Feedback from end-users, other stakeholders, peers, policy-makers

Which activities are supported? Boosting innovation in higher education, business and the broader scocio-economic environment Stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises Developing entrepreneurship mind-set and competences

Boosting innovation in higher education, business and the broader socio-economic environment Jointly development and implementation of new learning and teaching methods New multidisciplinary curricula Learner centred and real problem-based teaching & learning Organisation of continuing educational programmes and activities with and within companies Jointly development of solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation

Stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises Study field related activities in enterprises (fully embedded in curriculum, recognised and credited) Set-ups to trial and test innovative measures Exchange of students, researchers, teaching staff and company staff for a limited period Involvement of company staff in teaching and research

Developing entrepreneurship mind-set and competences Schemes of transversal skills’ learning and application throughout higher education programmes (strengthening employability, creativity and new professional paths) Entrepreneurship education to students, researchers and staff Practical application of entrepreneurial skills, e.g. involvement in the commercialisation of new services/products and prototypes, the creation of start-ups and spin-offs

Eligibility

Eligible participating organisations Any public or private organisation At least two higher education institutions At least two entreprises (public or private, small, medium or large enterprise including social enterprises); Other non-academic partners a research institute; a public body at local, regional or national level; an organisation active in the field of education, training and youth; an intermediary or association which represents education, training or youth; organisations; an intermediary or association which represents enterprises; an accreditation, certification or qualification body

Eligible countries Erasmus+ Programme countries EU-28 (including Overseas Country and Territory depending on Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom ) Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Rest of the world = Partner countries Partner countries neighbouring the EU Western Balkan Eastern Partnership countries South-Mediterranean countries Other partner countries Industrialised countries Africa, Carribean and Pacific Asia and Latin-America

Higher education institutions Academic consortium members from Programme countries must hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2014- 2020 (check: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/funding/2014/call_he_charter_en.php; KU Leuven = 27945-LA-1-2014-1-BE-E4AKA1-ECHE ) Academic consortium members from Partner countries: interinstitutional agreements

Mobility in Knowledge Alliances Mobility activities of students, researchers, teaching and company staff is possible but only when added value is clear Mobility activities are not the main focus here Extensive mobility activities need to be funded through Key Action 1

Knowledge alliances minimum requirements Consortium Min. 6 public/private organisations from at least 3 different programme countries Max. 1 public/private organisation from a partner country Min. 2 higher education institutions, each having a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education Min. 2 enterprises Coordinator = organisation from Programme Country Associated partners do not receive fund

Award criteria Are taken into account: proposals with min. 70% in total Relevance of the project Purpose of cooperation Sound needs analysis Consistence of proposed actions Innovation in processes and outcomes European added value (trans-nationality and potential transferability) Quality of project design and implementation Coherence Work programme structure Management (timeline, organisation, tasks & responsibilities) Quality and financial control Quality of the project team and the cooperation arrangements Configuration of consortium Commitment consortium partners Complementarity partnerships Collaboration and team spirit Impact and dissemination Exploitation of cooperation outcomes Dissemination strategy Societal and economic relevance and impact Sustainability beyond project lifetime

Call management and selection Centralised action, by EACEA Yearly call Yearly deadline = April 3, 12:00pm Brussels time Budget first call = ca. 6 million euros in total Highly competitive (contact International Office for support!) Large consortia with clear indication of added value of each partner is needed Project duration= 2 or 3 years (chosen at time of application)

In need for some inspiration? 2011 and 2012 calls for Knowledge Alliances Opening up Education (September 2013) by European Commission Self-assessment tool for entrepreneurial universities Innovative learning and teaching methods Fostering entrepreneurial skills and attitudes Structured mobility and knowledge exchange between academia and business

Funding rules

Budget guidelines Max. EU-contribution for 2-year project = 700 000 EUR Max. EU-contribution for 3-year project = 1 000 000 EUR Basic eligible costs = impementation support Depends on profile of staff involved (manager, teacher/trainer/researcher, technician and admin. staff) Country of the particpating organisation whose staff is involved Optional funding for mobility activities Travel costs Subsistence cost Staff Learners

Belgium – eligible costs Financing mechanism Amounts Implementation support (basic) Unit cost (per day) Manager (336 EUR) Teacher/Trainer/Researcher (257 EUR) Technician (194 EUR) Administrative staff (157 EUR) Travel (optional) Unit cost (per participant) Between 100km and 1999km (275 EUR) Above 2000km (360 EUR) Subsistence (optional) Unit cost (per day) Staff between day 1 and 14: 100 EUR between day 15 and day 60: 40 EUR Learners between day 1 and 14: 55 EUR

What else should you know?

Impact has to go beyond consortium partners Budget needs to be foreseen for presentation at University-Business Forum or other relevant events (max. 4/project) Reports, handbooks, guidelines etc. should be made available as Open Educational Resources (OER)

KU Leuven support and procedures

KU Leuven advice and support Before submission via International Office As soon as possible, inform International Office about intentions Advice available on request for call specifications, possible (non) academic partners, consortium management structure, … Compulsory consultation in case of joint curriculum initiatives with HEI in Belgium or beyond via ‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen’ Submission through International Office (rector as legal representative) After selection via International Office Communication to EACEA for budget revise, clarifications, … Grant agreement (and amendments) Advice on consortium agreement and other documents commiting KU Leuven via ‘Ondersteuningsgroep Interuniversitaire Opleidingen’

Deadlines call spring 2014 Whether KU Leuven will be coordinator or partner March 3 2014 = internal deadline application forms (via johan.evers@kuleuven.be) if joint curriculum or new course programmes are included in proposal then approval or rejection by Executive Board (GeBu) April 1 2014 April 3 2014 = external deadline (allow at least three working days before deadline for signature rector ) Golden rule: inform International Office as early as possible and in case of doubt contact International Office (johan.evers@kuleuven.be)

More information Erasmus+ Programme Guide - Knowledge Alliances (p. 109-116) Erasmus+ intranet page International Office

Johan Evers International Office johan.evers@kuleuven.be 016/37 98 54 Your contact person for Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliances