Evaluation and use of evidence in education policy and practice

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers working in education. It encourages the involvement of diverse disciplines such as social sciences, arts, and humanities to analyze and evaluate education policy measures. Special focus is placed on transitions between different education levels and promoting inclusive educational settings. The initiative aims to improve access to data, develop innovative research methods, and foster a culture of evidence-based policymaking. Projects are expected to involve policymakers and practitioners to ensure practical impact across EU countries and associated regions.

• Projects must adhere to specific formatting and page limits, including a 50-page maximum for the main application and a detailed budget table.
• They must meet eligibility criteria for participation, including rules for non-EU and non-associated country partners.
• Proposals should address evaluation of education policies at one or more levels, focusing on transitions and inclusivity, and involve relevant authorities.
• Projects must employ mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative), possibly including experimental or participatory approaches.
• Collaboration must be interdisciplinary, engaging researchers from education, social sciences, arts, and humanities, alongside policymakers and practitioners.
• Use of European Research Infrastructures and ensuring FAIR data principles is required.

Examples:

• A project analyzing how students move from primary to secondary education, involving education ministries, teachers, and social scientists.
• A study evaluating inclusive practices for students with disabilities across different school levels, using both surveys and interviews, and involving policymakers.
• An initiative developing new data-sharing methods for education research, engaging IT experts, researchers from various disciplines, and public authorities.

• Personnel costs for researchers, technical staff, and project managers
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and fieldwork
• Costs for data collection and analysis (e.g., surveys, interviews, software)
• Purchase or rental of equipment needed for research activities
• Development and implementation of digital tools or platforms
• Costs for stakeholder engagement, workshops, and dissemination events
• Publication and communication expenses
• Subcontracting for specialized services (e.g., translation, data processing)
• Administrative and project management costs
• Participation fees for conferences or training related to the project

All expenses must be included in the lump sum budget and follow the guidelines provided in the official templates. Only costs directly related to project activities are eligible.

• Budget for this Call: 10.200.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per project: 3.400.000€

• Applicants must be based in EU countries, associated countries, or eligible non-EU/non-associated countries as specified in the programme guide.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Applicants must not be subject to exclusion criteria (such as bankruptcy or fraud).
• Proposals must include a detailed budget and comply with application format and length requirements.
• Projects must involve interdisciplinary collaboration, including researchers from education, social sciences, arts, or humanities.
• Partnerships with policymakers and practitioners are required.
• Projects must use or contribute to European Research Infrastructures and follow FAIR data principles.
• Eligibility may depend on forming a consortium or network, especially for cross-country projects.