European Commission Supports Next Stage of Arqus Development with New Bridge Project

The European Commission will support the next stage in the development of the Arqus European University Alliance by approving the new Arqus Bridge project for the period from 2026 to 2028.

Following the adoption of the renewed Arqus Mission Statement and Joint Long-term Strategy 2026 to 2035 earlier this year, Arqus submitted its proposal for Bridge funding with the aim of consolidating the Alliance’s achievements and accelerating its transformation into a deeply integrated European University. Today, the European Commission announced the results of the competitive call, in which Arqus was successfully selected.

The Arqus European University Alliance warmly welcomes the European Commission’s decision to support Arqus Bridge. This new phase will reinforce the Alliance’s institutional integration, expand its joint educational and research activities, and ensure the long-term sustainability of its collaborative structures. Building on the outcomes of the Erasmus+ work plans implemented since 2019, Arqus Bridge marks a decisive step towards the Alliance’s vision of becoming “a forward-looking, open, integrated and research-driven European University, building transformative excellence with and for all.”

The new project is closely aligned with the Arqus Mission Statement and Joint Long-term Strategy 2026 to 2035, approved by the Arqus Rectors’ Council in February 2026. This strategic framework defines the Alliance’s priorities for the coming decade and emphasises institutional embedding, educational innovation, challenge-driven research and stronger societal engagement.

Climate change, artificial intelligence, European values and health at the core

The new period will be based especially on interconnectedness and synergies, and will be dynamically driven by the overarching flagship initiative Arqus for Democracy and four Academic Hubs: Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development, Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Europe as a Global Actor, and Sustainable Health.

Arqus Bridge will focus on consolidating and scaling up the Alliance’s flagship initiatives while creating the conditions for deeper and more sustainable cooperation among its member universities. The project will support the further implementation of joint programmes and flexible European learning pathways, the expansion of joint research and innovation activities, and the strengthening of opportunities for students, researchers and staff across the Alliance. It will also reinforce Arqus’ commitment to inclusion, multilingualism, sustainability and democratic participation, in line with the Alliance’s core values and goals.

Arqus Coordinator Dorothy Kelly said: “We are thrilled to receive this news. For the third time in a row, the European Commission has placed its trust in us by recognising the goals set for this new phase and the quality of our proposal. We will continue working towards the full implementation of this new concept: European Universities.”

In this new phase, Arqus will continue advancing towards stable Alliance-wide structures and shared infrastructures. Particular attention will be devoted to the development of joint governance mechanisms, digital ecosystems, quality assurance processes and collaborative frameworks that facilitate deeper integration among partner institutions. The funding will also help enhance the international visibility and global outreach of the Alliance, while strengthening its role as a key actor within the European Universities Initiative.

Since its launch in 2019, Arqus has steadily expanded its activities and impact through innovative cooperation in education, research, mobility and societal engagement. The approval of Arqus Bridge represents strong recognition by the European Commission of the Alliance’s achievements, its long-term strategic vision and its contribution to shaping the future of European higher education.