1. What does Tempus do?
2. What are the objectives of the Tempus programme?
3. Who can participate?
4. How does Tempus work?
5. How do I apply?
6. How is Tempus managed?
7. How are projects selected?

1.What does Tempus do?

The Tempus programme funds cooperation projects between the higher education sector in the EU Member States and the Tempus Partner Countries in the areas of Curricular Reform, Governance Reform and Higher Education and Society.

The Tempus programme is designed to help in the transition and reform processes in Partner Countries through a range of mechanisms addressed to the higher education sector.

To maximise the effectiveness of the Tempus programme, three principal instruments have been developed:

• Joint Projects
• Structural Measures
• Accompanying Measures

These three instruments have been developed to answer different specific needs.  Please click on the links above for further information on the different types of projects.

2.What are the objectives of the Tempus programme?

The three objectives of the programme are mutual understanding, cooperation and higher education modernisation.

Mutual Understanding

Tempus enhances understanding between cultures and strengthens cooperation in higher education between the European Union and countries from the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.  As the Tempus III Council Decision states: ‘cooperation on higher education strengthens and deepens the whole fabric of relations existing between people, brings out common cultural values, allows fruitful exchanges of views to take place and facilitates multinational activities in the scientific, cultural, artistic, economic and social spheres.’

Cooperation

Tempus promotes the ‘people to people’ approach:  its added value lies in its promotion of international and regional cooperation, which generates better communication and new networks of personal and professional contacts between the academic worlds of the EU and the Partner Countries.

Higher Education Modernisation

The Tempus programme is designed to support the transition and modernisation processes in higher education through a range of interventions.  It is a key instrument to consolidate the objectives pursued by the new financial instruments for the delivery of external assistance.  In addition to the ‘people to people’ academic cooperation, Tempus aims at having an impact on higher education national policies.

3. Who can participate?

Please click here for the list of countries eligible to participate in the Tempus programme.

Institutions and organisations, which may participate in the Tempus programme, range from higher education institutions through to non-academic institutions that are involved in higher education such as non-governmental organisations, private or public enterprises, rector, teacher or student organisations and public authorities.

4. How does Tempus work?

The Tempus programme provides financial assistance to project consortia of higher education institutions/ partners in the form of grants to enable cooperation projects to take place between institutions and between countries.  

5. How do I apply?

Joint Projects and Structural Measures

Calls for Proposals and Application forms for Joint Projects and Structural Measures will be published on the European Commission’s website.

All applicants are advised to read the relevant Call for Proposal in detail before completing the application form.

Please click here to view a draft Call for Proposals (due to the large size of this document we recommend that you right click on the link and 'Save as' to your hardisk) and a draft application form for:

• Joint Project
• Structural Measures

6. How is Tempus managed?

The overall responsibility for managing Tempus lies with the Tempus/ Erasmus Mundus Unit at the European Commission, Directorate General Education and Culture.

Member States

Within the European Union, Tempus reference points known as “National Contact Points” can provide you with further information on Tempus in their country.  

Partner countries

To implement Tempus in the partner countries, the European Commission is assisted by National Tempus Offices. They can facilitate partner searches, and disseminate information on Tempus in their country.

7. How are projects selected?

Application meets relevant deadline → Eligibility check by European Commission to make sure the application meets all of the basic requirements and that all necessary supporting documents have been provided → Academic/Technical/Financial evaluation → Consultation of national authorities, EC Delegations, National Tempus Offices → Results of evaluation procedure, final ranking and grant award decision.