Each year, the European Commission sets out the priorities for the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme in a call for proposals. The documents related to the call are listed below.
General Call for Proposals 2013
The legal text of the call and administrative details, including deadlines for applications and eligibility, are given in:

Open call for tender EAC/19/2013 – Study on Drop-out and completion in higher education in Europe
Deadline: 25th September 2013
The overall objective of this study is to provide a consolidated and up-to-date overview of national policies/measures on reducing drop-out and improving completion rates in higher education in Europe and to provide conclusions on the effectiveness of different systemic policies/measures, based on the experience of the countries included in the study. The study should further provide an assessment of relevance and effectiveness of indicators currently in use and make recommendations on how EU level action can support effective Member State policy-making on this topic.
The tender documents are available in English. German and French will follow on 15th August. Any other official language can be obtained upon request, within 6 calendar days of the request.
Documents

Erasmus Mundus aims to enhance quality in higher education through scholarships and academic cooperation between Europe and the rest of the world.
What does Erasmus Mundus offer?
The programme offers financial support for institutions and scholarships for individuals.
Funding is available for:

• European joint Mastersand Doctorates(including scholarships)
• Partnershipswith non-European higher education institutions and scholarships for students and academics
• Projectsto promote European higher education worldwide

Read more about who can participate in Erasmus Mundus.
How to apply
Higher education institutions and other bodies

• Information on funding opportunities, application and selection procedures

Students and academics

• Information on Erasmus Mundus courses and scholarships

Useful links
Erasmus for All
For general information and enquiries about the Erasmus Mundus programme, please contact the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency.
For information and guidance at national level (European Union and EFTA-EEA countries), contact the Erasmus Mundus National Structures.
Find contact details of European Union Delegations in countries outside the European Union.
For examples of best practice in Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses, visit the Erasmus Mundus Excellence website.
Find information on the Quality Assurance International Conference organised as a follow-up of the Bologna Policy Forum
For information on the Erasmus Mundus experience from present and past students, visit the Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA) website.
For up-to-date information on study opportunities, scholarships and living in 32 European countries, visit the Study in Europe website.
For general information about the European Union's external cooperation programmes for education and training, visit the EuropeAid Development and Cooperation website.

Higher education plays an essential role in society, creating new knowledge, transferring it to students and fostering innovation. EU-level actions help higher education institutions throughout Europe in their efforts to modernise, both in terms of the courses they offer and the way they operate.
Europe has around 4 000 higher education institutions, with over 19 million students and 1.5 million staff. Some European universities are among the best in the world, but, overall, potential is not being fully realised. Curricula are not always up to date, not enough young people go to university, and not enough adults have ever attended university. European universities often lack the management tools and funding to match their ambitions. In the light of these challenges, governments and higher education institutions are looking for ways to create better conditions for universities. National governments are responsible for their education and training systems and individual universities organise their own curricula. However, the challenges facing higher education are similar across the EU and there are clear advantages in working together. The role of the European Commission is to support national efforts. This is done in the following ways:

There are several related initiatives to help make qualifications, experiences and skills better appreciated and easier to recognise throughout the EU. The aim is to give greater access to learning or employment opportunities in different countries and encourage greater mobility – for individuals, businesses and other organisations.