FORTHEM Alliance Awarded Funding for 2026–2028
The European Universities Initiative is a flagship programme of the European Education Area. Since 2019, 65 university alliances bringing together more than 570 higher education institutions from 35 countries have received support through the initiative. The alliance brings together nine European universities committed to strengthening cooperation in education, research and innovation, and engagement with society.
FORTHEM was among the first alliances selected for funding in 2019, and the University of Jyväskylä has been an active partner since the beginning. Previous funding periods have covered years 2019–2022 and 2022–2026.
The new FORTHEM NEXUS project will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028 and forms a significant part of the alliance’s long-term strategy extending to 2030. The total budget for the new project period is €7.2 million, of which €1.1 million is allocated to the University of Jyväskylä. The EU contribution covers 80 %of the overall budget. The project will further deepen collaboration between partner universities, strengthen existing networks, expand successful activities and support the development of the European Higher Education Area. Funding will be targeted for staff resources, mobility grants, and collaborative initiatives involving alliance partners and external stakeholders.
For the University of Jyväskylä, FORTHEM provides valuable opportunities for students, early-career researchers and staff members. The alliance supports international mobility, the development of joint degree programmes and closer cooperation in research, development and innovation activities. Through the newly establihsed Jyväskylä Universities consortium, FORTHEM is brought closer together with the EUDRES Alliance where Jamk University of Applied Sciences is a member.
According to Rector Jari Ojala, the funding decision is excellent news for the entire university community:
“The FORTHEM Alliance offers outstanding opportunities for our students and staff to study, work and build networks within a community of nine European universities. Our students have clearly embraced the alliance, as a significant share of our student mobility takes place within the FORTHEM network. Likewise, we regularly welcome a large number of exchange students from our partner institutions.”
“During the coming project period, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation in both education and research. Together, the FORTHEM and EUDRES alliances also provide new opportunities for businesses and organisations in our region to connect with innovation ecosystems across Europe.”
Ojala also thanked everyone involved in preparing the successful application.
“This achievement is the result of dedicated work across the alliance. I would like to warmly thank everyone who contributed to the application process.”
Marja-Leena Laakso, Vice-Rector for Education and a member of the FORTHEM Steering Committee since its establishment, sees the benefits of the partnership becoming increasingly visible throughout the university.
“The strategic value of the alliance is becoming more evident year by year. It is therefore highly significant that FORTHEM has secured funding for another funding period. I am particularly pleased to see how student mobility within the alliance has grown and how several joint degree programmes are currently under development.”
The FORTHEM Alliance brings together approximately 230,000 students, 2,500 doctoral researchers, 19,000 researchers and teachers, and 17,000 members of professional and administrative staff across Europe.
Read more:
20 European Universities alliances selected for Erasmus+ funding
FORTHEM Alliance Secures New EU Funding to Advance Its Transnational Campus
Further information:
- Until 22.7. Heta Koski, heta.m.koski@jyu.fi
- After 13.8. Sanna Väisänen, sanna.m.vaisanen@jyu.fi
