If you are searching for how to apply to Erasmus, this guide explains the full Key Action 1 application process. It takes you from the first eligibility check to the final submission to your National Agency.
You will learn what Key Action 1 is and what to prepare before opening the application form. You will also discover how evaluators assess your needs, objectives, activities, and expected impact. Finally, this guide explains how to avoid common errors that can make a proposal ineligible or reduce its quality score.
This guide is designed for organisations preparing Erasmus+ projects in education, training, youth, and sport during the 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme period.
A Step-by-Step Overview of the Application Journey
- Confirm the correct action and National Agency for your sector.
- Check the eligibility requirements and application deadline.
- Register your organisation and obtain an Organisation ID (OID).
- Gather evidence and define your needs and objectives.
- Design the mobility activities, participant support, and follow-up.
- Check the budget, annexes, and consistency of the application.
- Submit the official online form and save proof of submission.
Understand the Key Action Path Before You Start Writing
What Does Key Action 1 Support?
Key Action 1 is officially titled “Learning Mobility of Individuals.” It supports mobility activities that create positive and long-lasting benefits for participants and participating organisations.
Each year, the Erasmus+ Programme Guide publishes the main rules for applicants. It explains the requirements, priorities, available budgets, and deadlines under the 2026 call.
Choose the Right Project Type for Your Organisation
Before you start writing, identify the action code and project type that match your sector. In many education fields, organisations can choose between short-term mobility projects and accredited mobility projects. However, these project types use different forms and have different requirements.
If you are unsure which option to choose, open the relevant action page in the Programme Guide. Then confirm:
- Who can apply
- Where the application must be submitted
- Which mobility activities are eligible
- Which grant categories are available
Completing this check early will help you avoid using the wrong application form.
Confirm Eligibility and Check Your Deadline
Where Should You Apply?
For decentralised actions, organisations must submit applications to the appropriate National Agency through the official online form.
Applications submitted by email, post, fax, or courier are not accepted.
If you are applying as part of a consortium, the coordinator submits one application on behalf of all consortium members.
Typical Timing for the 2026 Call
Many mobility actions had a Round 1 deadline of 19 February 2026 at 12:00 midday. In addition, some National Agencies may open an optional second application round later in the year.
Always check the website of your National Agency before applying. Deadlines, national rounds, and additional guidance may vary depending on the action and sector.
Use Part C as an Eligibility and Finance Checklist
Part C of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide provides a useful sequence for applicants. It covers:
- Registering the organisation
- Checking compliance with programme criteria
- Reviewing financial conditions
- Completing the application form
- Submitting the application correctly
Treat each step as a separate checkpoint. This approach can reduce the risk of disqualification. It can also make the quality sections easier to write because your proposal will follow the programme requirements.
Register Your Organisation and Prepare Your Application Pack
Create an Account and Obtain Your Organisation ID
Before applying, your organisation must create an account and register for an Organisation ID, also known as an OID.
The Erasmus+ platform allows organisations to register, retrieve their OIDs, access application forms, and review user guides.
When you enter the OID in the application form, the system automatically retrieves your organisation’s registered details. Therefore, you should check the legal name, address, and contact details early. Do not wait until the final submission day to update this information.
What Should You Prepare Before Writing?
First-time applicants often write more clearly when they gather the necessary information before opening the application form.
Create a shared folder and prepare:
- A brief organisational profile and capacity statement
- Evidence of the needs and existing problems you want to address
- A realistic mobility plan covering who, what, where, when, and how long
- An inclusion and participant support plan
- Expected learning outcomes and methods of recognition
- A plan for using the results after the mobility
- A strategy for sharing results with relevant stakeholders
Having these materials ready will make the writing process faster and more consistent.
Write the Needs Analysis and Objectives Like an Evaluator
Begin With Needs, Not Activities
Evaluators expect a clear explanation of why the project is necessary. They also want to understand how your organisation identified its needs.
In addition, they assess whether the proposal is relevant to the objectives and priorities of the Erasmus+ programme.
A strong needs analysis should answer five questions:
- What is the current situation?
- What is not working well enough?
- Who is affected, and what evidence supports this?
- Which skills, practices, or systems need to improve?
- Why is international mobility more suitable than local training alone?
- What will change, and how will you measure that change?
This is where effective Erasmus project writing begins. Every identified need should lead to a realistic change that your organisation can achieve within the project period.
Turn Needs Into Clear Objectives and Outcomes
Create a small number of specific and measurable objectives. Then explain which mobility activities will achieve each objective. You should also identify the evidence that will demonstrate success.
Evaluators assess the clarity and quality of the entire project design. This includes preparation, implementation, participant selection, practical support, follow-up, and recognition of learning outcomes.
Your Erasmus writing will be clearer if every section follows the same logical sequence:
Needs → Objectives → Activities → Learning outcomes → Follow-up and impact
Under each objective, explain the new practice that your organisation will introduce after the mobility. Identify who will use it and how you will support its adoption. For example, you may provide internal training or update organisational procedures.
Connect the Project to Erasmus+ Priorities
The Erasmus+ programme has four horizontal priorities for the 2021–2027 period:
- Inclusion and diversity
- Environment and the fight against climate change
- Digital transformation
- Participation in democratic life
Avoid adding a general paragraph that simply mentions these priorities. Instead, show how they influence your decisions.
For example, you can introduce an accessible selection process or provide additional support for participants with fewer opportunities. You can also choose greener travel options when possible and use digital tools for preparation and follow-up.
Design Activities That Meet Quality Standards
Select Activities That Support Your Objectives
Mobility should be designed as a complete learning process. It should include planning, preparation, implementation, and follow-up. It should not feel like a series of disconnected trips.
Erasmus+ quality standards help organisations provide valuable learning experiences and achieve meaningful outcomes.
In many education sectors, staff mobility can include:
- Structured courses and training
- Job-shadowing
- Teaching or training assignments
If your project includes Erasmus+ KA1 courses, explain the connection between the course content, the participant’s professional role, and the organisational change you expect after their return.
Explain Participant Support and Recognition
Erasmus+ quality standards emphasise transparent participant selection and strong practical arrangements. They also focus on preparation, support during the activity, and recognition of learning outcomes.
Your activity plan should clearly explain:
- How participants will be selected
- What preparation they will receive before travelling
- What support will be available during the mobility
- How learning outcomes will be documented
- How the organisation will recognise those outcomes
- What follow-up activities will help introduce improvements
These details show evaluators that your organisation can manage mobility activities responsibly.
Check the Budget, Annexes, and Final Submission
Understand the Grant Categories
The application form usually divides the budget into several grant categories. Depending on the action, these may include:
- Organisational support
- Travel
- Individual support
- Course fees
- Inclusion support
- Exceptional costs
If your project includes Erasmus+ KA1 courses, calculate the course fees clearly. Make sure that participant numbers and eligible course days match the activity plan.
You should also review the rules for green travel and inclusion support. These funding mechanisms may affect both your project design and your budget.
Prepare Annexes and Declarations Early
Some application forms require additional documents, such as a Declaration on Honour. They may also contain sections about programme values and participation conditions.
Prepare and upload the required documents early. This will help you avoid unnecessary pressure before the deadline.
In some situations, National Agencies may request a financial guarantee or apply specific cost eligibility rules. Therefore, you should read the eligible costs and rules section for your action before finalising the budget.
Complete Your Pre-Submission Checks
Before submitting the application, review the guidance in Part C of the Programme Guide.
Confirm that you have:
- Selected the correct action and application form
- Entered the correct applicant details
- Chosen the appropriate National Agency
- Completed all required fields
- Uploaded the necessary documents
- Used the official online submission system
Next, read the proposal from an evaluator’s perspective. Evaluators assess the project’s relevance to programme objectives and priorities. They also consider the quality of the mobility design and the credibility of your follow-up and impact plans.
This is the second stage of effective Erasmus project writing. Remove general statements and add evidence to support every identified need. In addition, make sure every activity produces learning outcomes that connect directly to your objectives.
Many first-time Erasmus+ projects lose points because their proposals are unclear or inconsistent with programme requirements.
Common problems include:
- Objectives that are vague or difficult to measure
- Activities with limited preparation, support, or follow-up
- Participant numbers, durations, and budget totals that do not match
- References to inclusion without practical selection and support measures
- Erasmus+ KA1 courses that are not connected to organisational development
A final consistency check can help you identify and correct these issues.
What Happens After Submission?
After submission, the responsible National Agency evaluates the application and communicates the results.
If your project is approved, your organisation will sign a grant agreement. Later, you will report on the project’s implementation, activities, and results according to the programme rules.
Conclusion
A strong mobility proposal begins with clear needs and the changes your organisation wants to achieve. These needs should lead to realistic activities, specific learning outcomes, and a credible follow-up plan.
If you came here searching for how to apply to Erasmus, focus on three essential actions. First, confirm the correct application route and deadline. Second, register early and obtain your OID. Finally, create a clear connection between your needs, objectives, activities, outcomes, and expected impact.
Editing is also an important part of the process. Your Erasmus writing will be stronger when every paragraph helps the evaluator understand the project’s relevance, quality, and expected impact.
Many applicants develop these skills by learning from experienced mobility providers such as Alfa Edu. Its practical experience with Erasmus+ projects can help organisations connect proposal planning with realistic and achievable mobility activities.
