The Call from French University Leaders
In a significant development for European higher education cooperation, 56 presidents and directors of French higher education institutions have issued a joint appeal to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space. Dated May 20, 2026, the letter urges sustained and expanded national funding to support French participation in the European Universities Initiative alliances. Signatories include leaders from institutions such as the University of Montpellier, Sorbonne University, Aix-Marseille University, and Paris-Saclay University, among others representing a broad cross-section of French academia.
The appeal highlights the critical role these alliances play in institutional transformation, internationalization, and European integration. Without continued national support, the signatories warn, French universities risk losing momentum in ongoing reforms and falling behind in the competitive landscape of transnational higher education.
Background: The European Universities Initiative
The European Universities Initiative traces its origins to a 2017 speech by French President Emmanuel Macron at Sorbonne University, where he called for the creation of at least 20 European Universities by 2024. This vision quickly gained traction at the European level, evolving into a flagship program under Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. Today, 65 alliances involve more than 570 higher education institutions across the continent, fostering deep, long-term cooperation in education, research, and innovation.
These alliances go beyond traditional mobility programs. They enable joint degrees, shared campuses, pooled resources, and collaborative research projects designed to address grand societal challenges. France has been among the most active participants, with its institutions featuring prominently in many consortia.
French Involvement and Existing National Support
Since the initiative's pilot phases, French universities have secured substantial involvement. The government has backed this engagement through the France 2030 Investment for the Future Program (PIA), allocating approximately 100 million euros over ten years to support participating institutions from 2019 to 2024. This national co-funding has complemented European grants, enabling investments in administrative restructuring, pedagogical innovation, digital infrastructure, and expanded mobility schemes.
A December 2025 qualitative evaluation report by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space examined six French institutions in first-wave alliances. It documented transformative effects, including enhanced employability for students, greater interdisciplinarity, strengthened research synergies, and increased international visibility for French higher education.
Benefits Observed in Practice
Participants report concrete gains. Alliances facilitate structured internationalization of curricula, leading to joint programs and transnational virtual campuses. They promote the pooling of educational and research resources, boosting Europe's scientific competitiveness. Organizational changes toward more collaborative governance models have emerged, alongside a stronger sense of European identity among students and staff.
These efforts align with national priorities such as attracting international students, adapting programs to future skills needs, and advancing digital and ecological transitions. French institutions are positioned at the forefront of developments in joint degrees and European Higher Education Area integration.
Photo by Florian Stormacq on Unsplash
The Current Funding Challenge
Despite past support, national funding commitments for new phases remain uncertain. The existing PIA allocation does not extend automatically to future calls. University leaders emphasize that institutional transformation requires sustained investment over multiple years, not short-term project funding. Without clarity on continued or increased national resources, institutions face difficult choices: scaling back activities, delaying reforms, or risking non-compliance with alliance commitments.
Potential consequences include loss of specialized expertise, reduced capacity for European framework alignment, diminished internationalization progress, and weakened appeal of French higher education globally. The letter stresses that these investments support foundational work for research and innovation communities, not indefinite expansion.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Context
The French appeal resonates with wider European discussions. The European University Association has long advocated for long-term, coordinated funding across national and EU levels. Projects such as Future4Alliances, coordinated by Campus France, focus on creating supportive environments for alliance sustainability through peer learning and policy dialogue.
Recent developments include explorations of synergies with the proposed European Competitiveness Fund, which education ministers have indicated could support university alliances. A May 2026 Council position welcomed opportunities for alliances to access such mechanisms, though details on integration with Erasmus+ remain under discussion.
Implications for European Higher Education
Sustainable national funding is essential for realizing the full potential of the alliances. These networks represent a strategic response to geopolitical fragmentation, offering models of transnational cooperation that strengthen the European Union's resilience. For France, continued leadership in the initiative reinforces its role in shaping the European Higher Education Area and enhancing global competitiveness.
Failure to secure ongoing support could slow the pace of transformation across the sector, affecting student pathways, research output, and institutional modernization at a time when Europe faces pressing challenges in skills development and innovation.
Future Outlook and Recommendations
University leaders call for the Ministry to confirm a significant, multi-year financial commitment swiftly. Such a step would provide the political signal needed to maintain France's influential position. Broader recommendations from sector bodies emphasize diversified funding streams, better alignment between Erasmus+ and research programs, and national policies that recognize alliances as core components of institutional strategy rather than add-on projects.
As the initiative enters a phase of institutionalization, coordinated action at national and European levels will determine whether these alliances evolve into durable pillars of the higher education landscape or remain dependent on episodic project cycles.
Conclusion
The May 2026 letter from 56 French higher education leaders underscores the maturity of the European Universities Initiative and the critical juncture it has reached. With demonstrated benefits and ambitious goals ahead, sustainable national funding emerges as the linchpin for continued success. French institutions stand ready to build on their strong record, provided the necessary resources are secured for the next phase of this transformative European project.
