The additional funding under the Erasmus programme – known as ‘top-ups’ – boosts academic mobility for first-time university students, students with children, working students and students with chronic illnesses or disabilities. In a survey published today, more than 60 per cent of respondents stated that they would have foregone a stay abroad without the additional 250 euros per month. The National Agency for Erasmus+ Higher Education Cooperation at the DAAD (NA DAAD) surveyed around 7,000 students on this topic. The additional funds for the top-ups are provided by the European Social Fund+ (ESF+).

“Academic mobility must not depend on one’s family background or life circumstances. Targeted socio-political measures are needed to ensure that as many students as possible have the opportunity to spend time abroad during their undergraduate or doctoral studies,” said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee. “The analysis of the survey shows that the additional funding in the Erasmus programme is an effective tool for improving opportunities to study abroad and thus for greater social participation.”

“The top-ups act as a lever,” added Dr Stephan Geifes, Director of the NA DAAD. “They reduce financial risks and open up genuine mobility options for students with fewer opportunities. Erasmus+ thus strengthens not only individual educational pathways but also Europe’s competitiveness. International experience fosters intercultural skills, language proficiency and professional flexibility – qualifications that are becoming increasingly important for the European labour market and for leading diverse teams in Germany.”

More funding since 2021 thanks to cooperation with the ESF+

Since 2021, students with fewer opportunities – specifically first-time undergraduates, students with children, working students and students with chronic illnesses or disabilities – have had the opportunity under the Erasmus programme to receive an additional 250 euros per month for a stay abroad, on top of their regular Erasmus partial grant. The additional grant is intended to make it easier for these groups to spend time abroad during their undergraduate or doctoral studies. Students with children or with chronic illnesses or disabilities can also have further costs reimbursed. The NA DAAD secured funding of 57 million euros for the years 2022 to 2027 from the European Social Fund+ (ESF+).

Top-ups promote social participation

According to the survey, the additional funding is having a significant impact: more than 60 per cent of respondents stated that they would not have been able to afford the stay abroad financially without the top-up grant. Just under 70 per cent also reported that, with the Erasmus funding including the top-up grant, they were able to cover the majority of their costs abroad. 
The impact goes beyond mere financial support: many respondents stated that the top-up had helped them to focus more fully on their studies or internship abroad. The personal and professional benefits of the stay were also rated very positively.

The survey

For the survey, the NA DAAD contacted around 27,000 Erasmus grant recipients with fewer opportunities from the 2023 to 2025 application rounds. Just under 7,000 students took part in the survey.