Erasmus+ at Al-Turath University
Advancing higher education through structured international mobility, capacity building, and sustained academic cooperation.
Capacity-Building Programme
Selected highlights from the Erasmus+ training programme hosted by Al-Turath University (December 2025).
Global Orientation
Strengthening international standing through measurable collaboration and strategic engagement.
Mobility and Exchange
Enabling student and staff mobility under structured frameworks and recognised standards.
Institutional Development
Supporting sustainable growth through capacity building, quality assurance, and innovation.
Fundamentals
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme in the fields of education, training, youth, and sport for the 2021–2027 period.
It supports learning mobility and cooperation projects, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and participation in democratic life.
Who is Erasmus+ for?
Erasmus+ is designed for both:
- Organisations: universities, schools, training providers, NGOs, youth and sport organisations.
- Individuals: students, trainees, staff, researchers, and youth participants.
Note: Many individual opportunities are implemented via projects funded to institutions.
Iraq’s Eligibility Status
Iraq is officially listed under Region 7 — Middle East within "third countries not associated to the Programme".
As a result, participation for Iraq-based applicants is action-dependent. Eligibility and access vary by specific action, partner roles, and call conditions. The Programme Guide remains the final reference.
Realistic Pathways & Timelines
For Individuals (6–12 months)
Most realistic direct pathway: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM)
EMJM programmes may offer scholarships that cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa, and a living allowance. Applicants typically apply directly to the programme consortium (not via a national agency).
Other realistic pathway:
Mobility or short academic activities delivered through projects run by universities. Individuals are commonly selected internally by their institution.
For Universities (12–36 months)
Most relevant institutional pathway: Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE)
These are international cooperation projects that aim to modernise and reform higher education institutions, develop curricula, improve governance, and strengthen links with society/industry.
CBHE projects typically run 2–3 years depending on the call and project design, and commonly involve multilateral partnerships.
The 20 Essentials to Know
- Erasmus+ is an EU programme for 2021–2027 (education, training, youth, sport).
- Participation rules are defined by the Programme Guide + the specific call.
- Iraq is Region 7 (Middle East) under third countries not associated to the Programme.
- Therefore, Iraq’s participation is not “automatic” across all actions—it is action-dependent.
- Many individual opportunities are accessed through an organisation.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is a key route where individuals apply to consortia.
- EMJM scholarships may cover participation costs, travel, visa, and living allowance.
- Funding is managed either by National Agencies or by EACEA, depending on the action.
- “Where to apply” must be verified before preparing an application package.
- For organisations, participation requires structured institutional coordination.
- For universities outside the EU, CBHE is a key institutional pathway.
- CBHE outcomes must benefit eligible third countries and their HE systems.
- CBHE commonly involves multilateral partnerships and clear role allocation.
- Always confirm action-level eligibility for Iraq within the relevant call year.
- Keep guidance evidence-based and anchored to official sources.
- Prepare English documentation to a professional standard (CV, motivation, etc.).
- Track deadlines and call documents—requirements vary by year and action.
- Use Online Language Support (OLS) to strengthen language readiness.
- Maintain records and traceability for institutional accountability.
- Golden rule: Start from the official pathway, then build your preparation plan.
Official References
Targeted Erasmus+ Guidance for Iraq
For an Iraq-Based Individual
For an Iraq-based applicant, Erasmus+ participation is action-dependent because Iraq is officially classified under Region 7 (Middle East) as a third country not associated to the Programme. Therefore, eligibility and access must always be checked at the specific action and call level.
- Primary Pathway (EMJM): In practical terms, the most direct and realistic individual pathway is often Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM). Scholarships (when offered) can cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa, and a living allowance.
- Institutional Mobility: Other mobility opportunities typically occur through institutional projects (i.e., via your university’s partnership/project framework and internal selection).
- Next Steps: The correct first step is to verify the official application route for the opportunity (National Agencies vs. EACEA) and follow the relevant rules.
For an Iraqi University
For an Iraqi university, the strongest Erasmus+ pathway is usually international cooperation actions designed for partner countries, most notably Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE).
- Project Scope: CBHE supports multilateral partnership projects whose activities and outcomes must benefit eligible third countries not associated to the Programme and their higher education systems—commonly through curriculum development, capacity building, modernisation measures, and structured institutional cooperation.
-
Key Success Factors: Success in CBHE depends heavily on:
- Strategic partner selection.
- Clear role allocation.
- Compliance with the Programme Guide and call conditions.
- Strong internal coordination (documentation, reporting, and traceability).
- Funding & Submission: Funding management and submission routing depend on the action. The university should always confirm whether the call is managed by EACEA or via National Agencies, then build the proposal and workflow accordingly.
Erasmus+ Eligibility & Pathways for Iraq
Official Country Categories & Iraq's Status
Erasmus+ uses two overarching participation groups: Programme Countries (EU Member States + third countries associated to the Programme) which can fully take part in all Actions, and Partner Countries (Third countries not associated to the Programme) which can take part in certain Actions only, subject to action-level criteria and call conditions.
Iraq is officially classified as a third country not associated to the Programme, under Region 7 — Middle East. Legal entities from non-associated countries may be eligible in duly justified cases and in the Union interest.
| Category | Official Label | Participation Scope | Iraq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programme Countries | EU Member States + third countries associated | Full participation across Actions | Not included |
| Partner Countries | Third countries not associated (by regions) | Action-dependent participation | Region 7 — Middle East (Iraq) |
Specific Action Pathways
For Individuals
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) The most direct individual pathway. Students from all over the world are welcome, and applicants apply directly to the institution or consortium running the programme.
- KA171 International Credit Mobility For study, traineeship, teaching, or training. Iraq-based individuals typically participate through institutional projects with a Programme-Country university. The Programme-Country HEI must hold the ECHE (Erasmus Charter for Higher Education), while the Iraqi HEI agrees to Charter principles via an inter-institutional agreement.
For Universities
- Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) The most relevant pathway. Explicitly designed to support partnerships that benefit eligible third countries not associated to the Programme, including capacity development and internationalisation support.
- Jean Monnet (Higher Education) Supports EU-studies teaching and research worldwide. Institutions outside Europe can participate under the action’s rules and call conditions.
-
Cooperation Partnerships (KA220)
Partner-Country organisations may join as partners only if they bring essential added value.
Restriction: The Programme Guide limits non-associated participation for regions 1–3. This does not include Region 7 (Iraq). Therefore, this action is not generally available unless a specific call explicitly allows it.
Pathways by Profile (Iraq-based applicants)
🎓 1) Bachelor’s student
Institutional FrameworkFor an Iraq-based undergraduate, mobility is usually not a direct individual application route. You participate through a university partnership and institutional selection. [1]
The main channel is KA171 (International Credit Mobility), requiring a Programme-Country university with an ECHE and a signed inter-institutional agreement before mobility. [2]
🔬 2) Master’s applicant / student
Direct Application (EMJM) Institutional (KA171)Direct route: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM). Open to applicants worldwide; scholarships cover participation, travel, visa, and living allowance. [3]
Enrolled students: May be nominated for KA171 mobility if their university participates in such partnerships. [1, 2]
📚 3) PhD candidate
Institutional FrameworkErasmus+ is not a "full PhD scholarship scheme", but doctoral candidates can be eligible for mobility periods (action and call dependent). [2]
They may also participate as staff in specific cases (e.g., employed candidates invited to teach), depending on institutional arrangements. [2]
👨🏫 4) Academic / researcher
Institutional FrameworkFor academic staff, teaching/training mobility is typically implemented through KA171 partnerships. Institutions must sign required agreements in advance. [2]
Projects are run by eligible organisations, and mobility is carried out within that funded framework. [2]
🏢 5) Admin / professional staff
Institutional FrameworkAdministrative staff mobility (training) is also typically delivered via institutional projects, commonly within KA171. [2]
Participation is arranged through sending/receiving organisations under the project’s procedures. [2]
💼 6) Recent graduate
Direct Application (EMJM)One of the few globally open direct routes is EMJM (funded master’s pathway), where applicants apply directly to the consortium. [3]
Other mobility opportunities are usually accessed through an institution’s project structure rather than individual grants. [1, 2]
🤝 7) Internship / traineeship
Institutional FrameworkTraineeships can be funded where the Programme-Country HEI applies for ICM funding, and partner HEIs participate under agreements. [2, 4]
Important: Only Programme-Country HEIs receive ICM funds; partner institutions participate through the partnership. [4]
💡 8) Entrepreneur / innovator
Project-based ParticipationErasmus+ is for education, training, youth, and sport—not a direct individual startup-grant scheme. [5]
Entrepreneurship themes may appear inside projects, but participation is channelled through eligible organisations and action rules. [5]
Opportunity Matrix (Quick View)
| Profile | Typical Erasmus+ route | Direct individual app? | Typical access model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor student | KA171 mobility (study/traineeship) |
No | Via university partnership + internal selection [1] |
| Master’s applicant | EMJM | Yes (to consortium) | Apply to the EMJM programme consortium [3] |
| Master’s student | KA171 mobility | No | Via institutional project framework [2] |
| PhD candidate | KA171 mobility (up to doctorate level) |
No | Via institutional project framework [2] |
| Academic staff | KA171 staff teaching/training | No | Via institutional project framework [2] |
| Admin staff | KA171 staff training | No | Via institutional project framework [2] |
| Recent graduate | EMJM | Yes (to consortium) | Apply to EMJM consortium [3] |
| Internship/traineeship | KA171 traineeship | No | Via institutional project framework [4] |
Official References
- https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals
- https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-b/key-action-1/higher-education-mobility-projects
- https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
- https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-11/handbook-erasmus-icm_nov2023-v3_en_0.pdf
- https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-11/programme-guide-2026_en.pdf