To mark Europe Day on 9 May, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is once again organising the ‘European University Weeks’. From today (4 May), around 45 German universities will be offering over 50 events in 40 cities, providing insights into the work of their European university alliances and demonstrating how these contribute to the further development of the European Higher Education Area. 

“The European university alliances demonstrate how Europe takes shape in the day-to-day life of universities in a cross-border and tangible way: through joint study programmes, new mobility formats and closer cooperation in research, innovation and knowledge transfer. The alliances are key drivers of the transformation of the European Higher Education Area. At the same time, through their close cooperation, they also promote social cohesion in Europe. We are therefore delighted to highlight this commitment once again in May to mark Europe Day,” said DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee.

Campaign on European University Alliances

The themed weeks surrounding Europe Day on 9 May highlight how higher education alliances bring together and further develop the diversity of European research, teaching, innovation and knowledge transfer within shared structures. Planned activities include panel discussions, information stands, a variety of workshops, and digital formats such as video testimonials and social media campaigns. The events are aimed at students, lecturers, researchers and the interested public.

The following activities are planned, for example:

•    European Union Week (EuroTeQ University Alliance)
•    Go - Out Country Fair – International Partner Day (Unite! University Alliance)
•    "Meet your MEP" with Sabrina Repp, Member of the European Parliament from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (KreativEU University Alliance)

You can find an overview of all planned events here. 

European University Alliances

European University Alliances are cross-border university networks that jointly develop innovative teaching and learning formats as well as new forms of cooperation in education, research, third mission and technology transfer. Following five rounds of calls for proposals under the Erasmus programme, the EU is currently funding 73 alliances in 36 countries involving almost 650 higher education institutions. 75 German higher education institutions are involved in 66 European alliances – more than from any other EU country. 

In autumn 2025, the EU published a sixth call for proposals for a two-year follow-up grant. European universities had until early March 2026 to submit their applications. The results are due to be announced in July.

National accompanying programme

In Germany, the DAAD supports German universities that have been successful at EU level through the accompanying programme “European University Networks (EUN) – National Initiative”, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The programme enhances the visibility of the alliances, promotes their networking and creates platforms for exchange with policymakers and administrators at federal and state level. A new call for proposals is planned for summer 2026 and will follow the selection process at EU level.