Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education and vocational education and training
Date: 2006-04-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Community, United States, cooperation agreement, higher education, ratification of an agreement, teaching, vocational training

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.4.2006 
COM(2006) 180 final 

2006/0061 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signature of the Agreement between the European Community and the United 
States of America renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education 
and vocational education and training 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United 
States of America renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education 
and vocational education and training 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

The  present  proposal  is  set  against  the  dual  background  of  the  European  Union  higher 
education  agenda  and  EU/US  relations  which  call,  respectively,  for  higher  education  to 
become a world reference for relevance and excellence and for broader education cooperation. 

Education  has  become  an  essential  component  of  the  Lisbon  strategy  which  calls  for 
European Union education to become a world reference by 2010. Such an objective can only 
be achieved by keeping European education tuned to world developments and in particular by 
collaborating and testing approaches and standards against those in the world most developed 
countries like the United States of America (hereafter ‘the US’). 

The relations with the US are of strategic importance for the EU and their scope is constantly 
widening. Leaders at the Dromoland EU-US Summit of 2004 agreed to look for cooperative 
means  and  best  practices  to  enhance  economic  growth,  job  creation  and  innovation.  On  18 
May  2005  the  Commission  adopted  a  communication  on  a  stronger  EU-US  partnership1
which,  in  line  with  the  Lisbon  strategy,  identified  cooperation  in  education  and 
training as an important tool for stimulating knowledge and innovation dynamic and called for 
the renewal and reinforcement of the current agreement on Higher Education and Vocational 
Training. On 20 June 2005 Leaders at the Washington EU-US Summit agreed on an initiative 
to  enhance  transatlantic  economic  integration  and  growth  which  identified  education 
cooperation as one of the tools “to increase synergies across the Atlantic as we become more 
knowledge-based  economies.”  and  committed  to  work  to  “renew  and  reinforce  the  U.S.-EU 
the 
agreement  on  Higher  Education  and  Vocational  Training,  which 
Fulbright/European  Union  program,  to  boost  education  cooperation  and  transatlantic 
exchanges between our citizens”. 

includes 

The  current  agreement  was  concluded  in  2000  and  renewed  the  EC/US  programme  for 
another five years ending in 2005. An external evaluation was undertaken from October 2004 
to March 2005. The independent evaluation concluded that the programme is a powerful tool 
for  establishing  long  lasting  partnerships  and  synergies  in  higher  education  and  vocational 
training over the Atlantic and that this has contributed to improving mutual understanding and 
the  quality  of  human  resource  development.  On  27  June  2005  the  Commission  adopted  a 
communication on the results of this evaluation.2 

In  accordance  with  the  negotiating  directives  in  the  Annex  to  the  Council  decision  of  24 
October 2005 authorising the Commission to open negotiations for a new agreement with the 
US3, the Commission has negotiated a new agreement with the US. 

The Council is asked to approve the decisions on the signature and on the conclusion of the 
agreement  that  renews  the  co-operation  programme  between  the  European  Community  and 
the United States of America in the field of higher education and vocational training for the 
period 2006-2013. 

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COM(2005) 196 
COM(2005) 274 
Point  6  in  the  list  of  "A"  items  in  13437/05  adopted  at  the  2685th  meeting  of  the  Council 
(Agriculture/Fisheries), on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 October 2005. 

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2. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSAL 

2.1. 

General objective 

The general objectives of the EU/US programme are to: 

(1) 

(2) 

Promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the European Community and 
the  United  States  including  broader  knowledge  of  their  languages,  cultures  and 
institutions; and, 

Improve the quality of human resource development in both the European Community 
and  the  United  States,  including  the  acquisition  of  skills  required  to  meet  the 
challenges of the global knowledge-based economy. 

The  EU/US  programme  will  therefore  seek  to  mutually  enhance  the  quality  of  higher 
education and vocational training. 

2.2. 

Specific Objectives 

The specific objectives of the EU/US programme are to: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Enhance collaboration between the European Community and the United States in the 
domains of higher education and vocational training 

Contribute to the development of higher education and vocational training institutions 

Contribute to individual participants’ personal development for their own sake and as 
a way to achieve the general objectives of the Programme; and, 

(4) 

Contribute to transatlantic exchanges between EU and U.S. citizens. 

2.3. 

Operational objectives 

The operational objectives of the EU/US programme are to: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Support  collaboration  between  higher  education  and  vocational  training  institutions 
with a view to promoting joint study programmes and mobility 

Improve  the  quality  of  transatlantic  student  mobility  by  promoting  transparency, 
mutual  recognition  of  qualifications  and  periods  of  study  and  training,  and,  where 
appropriate, portability of credits 

Support  collaboration  between  public  and  private  organisations  active  in  the  field  of 
higher  education  and  vocational  training  with  a  view  to  encouraging  discussion  and 
exchange of experience on policy issues; and, 

 Support  transatlantic  mobility  of  professionals  with  a  view  to  improving  mutual 
understanding of issues relevant to EC/U.S. relations. 

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3. 

CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER POLICIES 

The EU/US programme in higher education and vocational training would be fully consistent 
with and complementary to those of other EU instruments in these areas giving the possibility 
of pursuing objectives of quality education through collaboration between the EU and the US. 
In addition, the programme would bring in transatlantic people-to-people cooperation which 
is absent in other EU education and vocational training programmes. 

The  programme  would  also  complement  the  activities  of  the  network  of  EU  Centers  of 
Excellence  in  US  universities  in  that  it  offers  additional  possibilities  for  exchanges  and 
encourages structural cooperation between institutions and organisations on both sides of the 
Atlantic. 

In so doing, the programme will also contribute to the Commission’s public diplomacy effort 
in  the  US,  including  the  public  diplomacy  activities  of  the  Commission’s  Delegations  in 
Washington  and  New  York,  in  line  with  the  increased  commitment  to  public  diplomacy 
activities in particular with regard to the EU’s main strategic partners. 

4. 

CONSULTATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS 

–  2001 Study on modalities for cooperation in vocational education and vocational training 

The  study  contracted  by  the  Commission  confirmed  the  value  of  EC/US  cooperation  in 
vocational  education  and  training.  Vocational  training  institutions  are  not  necessarily  well 
prepared  for  transatlantic  cooperation  yet  there  is  great  potential  for  mutual  enrichment 
though this type of collaboration which offers new opportunities for transatlantic mobility to 
students,  trainees  and  staff  who  otherwise  would  not  have  access  to  them.  The  study  noted 
that  for  a  vocational  training  strand  to  coexist  with  higher  education,  a  significant  budget 
increase was necessary. 

–  Interim external evaluation 

An  external  evaluation  was  concluded  in  early  2005.  The  evaluation  confirmed  the 
effectiveness  and  relevance  of  the  programme  and  that  the  programme  is  beneficial  for  the 
institutions,  faculties  and  students  involved.  The  programme  is,  however,  considered  too 
small to have had an impact on the mutual understanding between the people of the European 
Union and the US. While projects are largely sustainable, not all the activities are continued in 
the same way. The evaluators suggest in particular introducing a system of additional mobility 
grants for successful projects. On 27 June 2005 the Commission adopted a communication on 
the results of this evaluation.4 

-The 2004 Washington seminar on the future of EU/US cooperation. 

A round table discussion with prominent US and EU experts and government representatives 
was organised in conjunction with US Department of Education (FISPE) in Washington on 27 
November 2004. The experts concluded that the EU-US programme was extremely valuable 
for the institutions, faculty and students involved and it was of strategic importance for EU-
US  people-to-people  relations.  They  stressed  that  the  programme  allowed  transatlantic 

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multilateral  partnerships  to  be  developed  with  a  positive  impact  on  the  faculty  and 
participating  exchange  students.  The  latter,  in  particular,  could  dramatically  increase  their 
cross-cultural  knowledge,  increase  their  adaptability,  improve  their  academic  performance 
and enhance their chances of finding quality jobs in the international market place. It was also 
highlighted that more should be done to ensure that the programme has a wider and longer-
term  impact.  This  called  for  a  larger  scale  programme  and  for  measures  helping  the 
sustainability  of  individual  projects.  Finally  it  was  suggested  that  the  programme  should  be 
coupled with measures and policy dialogue on systems issues. 

5. 

OPTIONS EXAMINED 

5.1. 

Approaches and instruments: Policy dialogue and co-ordination 

Policy dialogue between the European Union and the US can certainly contribute to a better 
understanding of education and training strategies,  generate  exchanges of best practices and 
ultimately lead to measures that have a direct impact on citizens. 

However,  policy  dialogue  alone  may  not  induce  bottom-up,  people-to-people  innovative 
collaboration, or the enhancement of high quality mobility of young people and better access 
for  young  people  and  organisations  to  transatlantic  exchange  experience.  A  programme  of 
specific actions is needed to encourage and support such activity. 

5.2. 

Possible alternative designs for an expenditure programme 

5.2.1. 

Integration into existing or proposed frameworks 

The existing education and training programmes like “Socrates” or “Leonardo da Vinci” are 
designed  for  and  target  exclusively  the  public  of  the  Member  States.  The  decision  making 
process, typology of actions and implementation mechanisms are not well suited for EU/US 
bilateral  cooperation  in  the  fields  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training.  The  same 
applies to the future Lifelong learning programme. 

“Erasmus Mundus” seeks to enhance the quality of higher education in the European Union 
and  promote  it  world-wide  through  a  scholarship  scheme  for  third  country  students  and 
scholars.  Erasmus  Mundus  is  a  higher  education  programme  which  aims  primarily  at 
attracting  non  EU  students  at  Masters’  level.  As  such  it  has  not  been  designed  for  bilateral 
exchanges,  transatlantic  curriculum  development  and  institutional  cooperation.  It  does  not 
concern vocational training and it focuses on graduate level while the proposed cooperation 
programme with the US focuses primarily on the activities at undergraduate level. 

Other  external  programmes  are  also  unsuitable  to  achieve  the  objectives  of  the  EU/US 
bilateral cooperation. 

5.2.2.  Renewing the Agreement and continuing the programme in its present form 

The  proposed  agreement  and  the  programme  it  would  set  up  does  not  represent  a  radical 
departure  from  the  present  structure  of  cooperation  and  it  is  in  line  with  the  Commission 
communication of 18 May 20055 
which called for reinforcing the current cooperation and 

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with the joint commitment made at the EU-US Summit in June 2005 to work to renew and 
reinforce the agreement to boost education co-operation and transatlantic exchanges between 
citizens of the EU and the US. 

The programme would take into account the lessons drawn from past experience and from the 
independent,  interim  evaluation  by  differentiating  between  higher  education  and  vocational 
training, promoting joint study programmes, building on excellence and enhancing exchanges 
of students and trainees and staff. 

The  evaluation  found  that  the  small  budget  of  the  present  programme  has  limited  the 
programme’s  potential  impact  on  higher  education  and  prevented  the  development  of 
significant cooperation in the field of vocational training. The programme to be created by the 
proposed agreement entails a budget increase (from 2 M€ to an average of 6,5 M€ per annum) 
to  take  into  account  the  size  of  the  EU  and  US  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
systems and the potential for cooperation. 

5.3. 

Assessment of positive and negative impacts of the options considered 

In  achieving  its  objectives,  the  programme  would  have  a  positive  short  term  and  long  term 
impact  on  young  people  as  well  as  on  institutions  and  organisations  dealing  with  higher 
education  and  vocational  training  issues.  Transatlantic  mobility  would  give  participants 
valuable  experience  that  will  help  them  better  integrate  into  today’s  society  and  knowledge 
economy. 

Collaboration  between  institutions  would  help  them  to  improve  their  curricula  and  teaching 
methods  by  learning  from  each  other  best  practices  and  by  jointly  developing  new 
approaches. 

In the long term, collaboration would help to maintain the very good level of people-to-people 
understanding that exists between the European Union and the US. 

There are no conflicts between impacts at social, economic or environmental level. 

5.4. 

Reasons for choosing the present option 

There is a widespread consensus that higher education should remain a central component of 
the  programme.  At  the  same  time,  the  programme  would  also  give  access  to  transatlantic 
cooperation  for  vocational  education  and  training  organisations  that  would  not  otherwise 
engage in such co-operation. 

In  the  framework  of  lifelong  education,  and  to  reinforce  the  people-to-people  dimension  of 
the  EU/US  relations,  the  programme  would  be  also  open  to  young  professionals,  mainly 
outside  the  academic  and  public  administration  world,  who  want  to  undertake  studies  or 
training, in areas of specific relevance to the EU/US relationship, which will be identified in 
consultation with the US authorities. 

The  impact  of  the  programme  would  be  enhanced  with  the  introduction  of  policy-oriented 
projects  in  areas  of  common  interest  for  the  European  Union  and  the  US.  That  is  to  say, 
projects  with 
the 
that 
institutions/organisations/individuals directly involved in their implementation. These projects 
would be aimed at increasing knowledge about, and exchanging best practices on issues such 

impact  beyond 

can  have 

systemic 

impact 

an 

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as quality and compatibility of education and training systems, access to lifelong learning for 
all, and opening up education and training systems to the world. 

6. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

6.1. 

Legal Basis 

The proposal is based on articles 149, 150 and 300 of the Treaty. 

6.2. 

Subsidiarity and proportionality 

The  programme  would  complement  bilateral  cooperation  schemes  between  Member  States 
and the US by proposing to continue a multilateral framework for cooperation. It would fully 
respect  Member  States’  competence  leaving  the  initiative  to  particular  institutions  and 
organisations. The proposed renewal of the programme does not contemplate any regulatory 
approach,  which  would  conflict  with  Member  States’  exclusive  competence  in  this  area. 
Proportionality is ensured. 

7. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERVENTION 

The programme would pursue its objectives through the following actions: 

7.1. 

Higher education and vocational training programme actions: 

7.1.1.  Consortia projects 

The target public of this action would be higher education and vocational training institutions 
and  organisations,  their  staff,  students  and  trainees.  The  action  will  respond  to  two  specific 
objectives:  contributing  to  the  development  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
institutions and organisations, and increasing the mobility of staff, students and trainees. 

This type of projects would largely inspired on the type of joint projects currently funded and 
will provide support for double or joint degrees set up and run by multilateral consortia of EU 
and US higher education, including scholarships for students, faculty and staff. 

Consortia projects would focus on the priority fields identified as key to EU/US cooperation 
in consultation with US authorities. 

7.1.2.  Excellence (follow-up) mobility projects 

Under  this  action,  the  programme  may  provide  support  mainly  for  student  mobility  to 
consortia  projects  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training  institutions  with  a  proven 
record  of  excellence,  including  those  funded  under  the  preceding  EU-US  Agreements.  This 
measure  would  enhance  the  profile  of  the  programme,  placing  the  emphasis  on  excellence. 
This would increase motivation of funded projects to deliver and contribute to sustainability 
of good quality mobility projects. 

7.2. 

Policy-oriented measures 

The target public of this action is organisations dealing with higher education and vocational 
training. This action would pursue the specific objective of enhancing collaboration between 

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the EU and the US as regards the development of higher education and vocational training, 
focusing on priority themes. In the longer term, this action would have an impact on policy 
and system development. 

Activities under this category could include studies, conferences, seminars, working groups, 
benchmarking exercises. 

7.3. 

“Schuman-Fulbright” Individual Mobility grants 

The  target  group  of  this  action  would  be  professionals  (including  professionals  in  training), 
mainly from outside the academia and public administration (decision makers, social partner 
representatives, journalists, etc.) who want to undertake studies or training, in areas of specific 
relevance  to  the  EU/US  relationship,  which  would  be  identified  in  consultation  with  US 
authorities. 

7.4. 

Alumni Association 

Under  this  action  the  programme  may  provide  support  to  Alumni  Associations  involving 
students  who  have  participated  in  exchanges  supported  by  the  EC/U.S.  cooperation 
programme in higher education and vocational training. 

8. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The proposed programme would cost a maximum of 46 M€ over an eight year period (2006-
2013), provided that matching funds are made available by the US. 

8.1. 

The rationale for a budget increase 

As indicated under 5.2, the small budget of the 2000-2005 programme has limited its potential 
impact on higher education and prevented the development of significant cooperation in the 
field of vocational training. 

8.2. 

Costing-Reference amounts for calculation purposes 

8.2.1.  Higher Education and Vocational Training measures 

Where projects do not involve mobility the average grant would be 120.000 €. 

Joint  consortia  projects:  664,000  €  for  four-year  projects  resulting  from  544,000  €  for 
student scholarships (calculated on the basis of 1000 € per month, and 2000 € for travel and 
relocation  per  student  for  average  study  periods  of  15  months  for  a  total  of  32  students), 
60,000 € in lump sumps for consortia partners (7,500 € per institution per year: 7500x2x4), 
and 60,000 € for mobility grants for faculty and staff (1,000 € per scholar-week plus 1000 € 
for travel). 

Excellence Mobility consortia projects: will be funded on a similar basis as Joint consortia 
projects. 

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8.2.2.  Other measures 

Policy-Oriented Measures: 100.000 € 

“Schuman-Fulbright”  Individual  mobility  grants:  20.000  (3.000  €  per  month  +  2.000  for 
travel per grantee for average grant duration of 6 months) 

Support for the Alumni association could be estimated at 15.000 € per year. 

8.3. 

Target outputs 

The programme will support some 274 projects over an eight year period (see details under 
point  8  of  the  Financial  Statement).  Some  6.000  EU  and  US  people  will  participate  in 
mobility activities over the duration of the programme. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signature of the Agreement between the European Community and the United 
States of America renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education 
and vocational education and training 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 
149 and 150 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300 (2) 
thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission6, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

By  its  decision  of  24  October  2005  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission  to 
negotiate  with  the  United  States  of  America  an  agreement  renewing  the  cooperation 
programme in higher education and vocational training. 

On  behalf  of  the  Community,  the  Commission  negotiated  an  agreement  with  the 
United  States  of  America  in  accordance  with  the  directives  in  the  Annex  to  the 
Council  decision  authorising  the  Commission  to  negotiate  with  the  United  States  of 
America an agreement renewing the cooperation programme in higher education and 
vocational training. 

The  Community  and  the  United  States  of  America  expect  to  obtain  mutual  benefit 
from such co-operation, which must, on the Community's side, be complementary to 
the  bilateral  programmes  between  the  Member  States  and  the  United  States  of 
America and provide a European added value; 

(4) 

It  is  necessary  to  sign  the  Agreement  negotiated  by  the  Commission  in  view  of  its 
possible conclusion at a later date. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

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Sole Article 

1. 

Subject  to  its  conclusion  at  a  later  date,  the  President  of  the  Council  is  hereby 
authorised to designate the person or the persons empowered to sign on behalf of the 
Community the Agreement between the European Community and the United States 
of America renewing the cooperation programme in higher education and vocational 
education and training. 

2. 

The text of the Agreement is annexed to this decision 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

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2006/0061 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United 
States of America renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education 
and vocational education and training 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 
149 and 150 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300 (2) 
and the first subparagraph of article 300 (3) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission7 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

By  its  decision  of  24  October  2005  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission  to 
negotiate  with  the  United  States  of  America  an  agreement  renewing  the  cooperation 
programme in higher education and vocational training. 

On behalf of the Community, the Commission has negotiated an agreement with the 
United  States  of  America  in  accordance  with  the  directives  in  the  Annex  to  the 
Council  decision  authorising  the  Commission  to  negotiate  with  the  United  States  of 
America an agreement renewing the cooperation programme in higher education and 
vocational training. 

The  Community  and  the  United  States  of  America  expect  to  obtain  mutual  benefit 
from  such  cooperation,  which  must,  on  the  Community's  side,  be  complementary  to 
the  bilateral  programmes  between  the  Member  States  and  the  United  States  of 
America and provide a European added value. 

The  Agreement  was  signed  on  behalf  of  the  Community  on  ..........subject  to  its 
possible  conclusion  at  a  later  date,  in  conformity  with  Decision  …/…/EC  of  the 
Council on ……. 

(5) 

The Agreement should be approved, 

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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

1. 

The Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America 
renewing  the  cooperation  programme  in  higher  education  and  vocational  education 
and training is approved on behalf of the Community. 

2. 

The text of the Agreement is annexed to this Decision. 

Article 2 

The delegation of the European Community to the Joint Committee referred to in Article 6 of 
the  Agreement  shall  consist  of  a  representative  from  the  Commission  assisted  by  a 
representative from each Member State. 

Article 3 

The  President  of  the  Council  is  authorised  to  designate  the  person  empowered  to  make  the 
notification provided in Article 12(1) of the Agreement. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX 

AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITY  AND  THE  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA  RENEWING  A  PROGRAMME  OF  COOPERATION  IN 
HIGHER EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, 

of the one part, and 

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

of the other part (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Parties”), 

NOTING  that  the  Transatlantic  Declaration  adopted  by  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member States (hereinafter referred to as “the European Community”) and the Government of 
the  United  States  of  America  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  United  States”)  in  November 
1990  makes  specific  reference  to  strengthening  mutual  cooperation  in  various  fields  which 
directly affect the present and future wellbeing of their citizens, such as exchanges and joint 
projects in education and culture, including academic and youth exchanges 

NOTING  that  the  new  Transatlantic  Agenda  adopted  at  the  EU-U.S.  Summit  in  December 
1995 in Madrid refers under Action IV-Building Bridges Across the Atlantic-to the EC/U.S. 
Agreement establishing a Cooperation Programme in Education and Vocational Training as a 
potential catalyst for a broad spectrum of innovative cooperative activities of direct benefit to 
students  and  teachers  and  refers  to  the  introduction  of  new  technologies  into  classrooms, 
linking educational establishments in the United States with those in the European Union and 
encouraging the teaching of each other's languages, history and culture; 

NOTING  that  the  1997  “Bridging  the  Atlantic:  People  to  People  Links”  Transatlantic 
Conference  underlined  the  potential  for  cooperation  between  the  European  Community  and 
the United States of America in the field of non-formal education 

NOTING that at the EU-U.S. Summit in June 2005, leaders agreed on an initiative to enhance 
transatlantic economic integration and growth which identified education cooperation as one 
of the tools “to increase synergies across the Atlantic as we become more knowledge-based 
economies”  and  committed  to  work  to  “renew  and  reinforce  the  U.S.-EU  Agreement  on 
Higher  Education  and  Vocational  Training,  which  includes  the  Fulbright/European  Union 
programme, to boost education cooperation and transatlantic exchanges between our citizens 

CONSIDERING that the  adoption and the implementation  of  the  1995  Agreement  Between 
the  European  Community  and  the  United  States  of  America  Establishing  a  Cooperation 
Programme  in  Higher  Education  and  Vocational  Education  and  Training  and  the  2000 
Agreement Between the European Community and the United States Renewing a Programme 
of Cooperation in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training give effect to the 

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commitments  of  the  Transatlantic  Declaration  and  constitute  examples  of  highly  successful 
and cost-effective cooperation 

ACKNOWLEDGING the crucial contribution of education and training to the development of 
human resources capable of participating in the global knowledge-based economy 

RECOGNISING  that  cooperation  in  education  and  vocational  training  should  complement 
other relevant cooperation initiatives between the European Community and the United States 

ACKNOWLEDGING  the  importance  of  ensuring  complementarity  with  relevant  initiatives 
carried  out  in  the  field  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training  by  international 
organisations active in these fields such as OECD, UNESCO and the Council of Europe 

RECOGNISING that the Parties have a common interest in cooperation in higher education 
and vocational education and training 

EXPECTING  to  obtain  mutual  benefit  from  cooperative  activities  in  higher  education  and 
vocational education and training 

RECOGNISING the need to widen access to the activities supported under this Agreement, in 
particular those activities in the vocational education and training sector; and 

DESIRING  to  establish  a  formal  basis  for  continued  cooperation  in  higher  education  and 
vocational education and training, 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

Purpose 

Article 1 

This  Agreement  renews  the  2000  Cooperation  Programme  in  Higher  Education  and 
Vocational  Education  and  Training  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  Programme”),  originally 
established  under  the  1995  Agreement  Between  the  European  Community  and  the  United 
States of America establishing a Cooperation Programme in Higher Education and Vocational 
Education and Training. 

Article 2 

Definitions 

For the purpose of this Agreement: 

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1. “Higher education institution” means any establishment, according to the applicable laws 
or practices,  which offers qualifications  or  diplomas at the higher education level, whatever 
such establishment may be called; 

2. “Vocational education and training institutions” means any type of public, semi-public or 
private  body,  which,  irrespective  of  the  designation  given  to  it,  in  accordance  with  the 
applicable laws and practices, designs or undertakes vocational education or training, further 
vocational training, refresher vocational training or retraining; and 

3.  “Students”  means  all  those  persons  participating  in  learning  or  training  courses  or 
programmes  which  are  run  by  higher  education  or  vocational  education  and  training 
institutions as defined in this Article. 

Objectives 

Article 3 

1. The general objectives of the Programme shall be to: 

(a) 

(b) 

the  European 
Promote  mutual  understanding  between 
Community  and  the  United  States  including  broader  knowledge  of  their 
languages, cultures and institutions; and, 

the  peoples  of 

Improve  the  quality  of  human  resource  development  in  both  the  European 
Community and the United States, including the acquisition of skills required 
to meet the challenges of the global knowledge-based economy. 

2. The specific objectives of the Programme shall be to: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

Enhance  collaboration  between  the  European  Community  and  the  United 
States in the domains of higher education and vocational training 

Contribute  to  the  development  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
institutions 

Contribute to individual participants’ personal development for their own sake 
and as a way to achieve the general objectives of the Programme; and, 

(d) 

Contribute to transatlantic exchanges between EU and U.S. citizens. 

3. The operational objectives of the Programme shall be to: 

(a) 

(b) 

Support  collaboration  between  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
institutions with a view to promoting joint study programmes and mobility 

the  quality  of 

transatlantic  student  mobility  by  promoting 
Improve 
transparency,  mutual  recognition  of  qualifications  and  periods  of  study  and 
training, and, where appropriate, portability of credits 

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(c) 

(d) 

Support  collaboration  between  public  and  private  organisations  active  in  the 
field  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training  with  a  view  to  encouraging 
discussion and exchange of experience on policy issues; and 

Support  transatlantic  mobility  of  professionals  with  a  view  to  improving 
mutual understanding of issues relevant to EC/U.S. relations. 

Principles 

Article 4 

Cooperation under this Agreement shall be guided by the following principles: 

1. Full respect for the responsibilities of the Member States of the European Community and 
the United States of America and the autonomy of higher education and vocational education 
and training institutions 

2. Mutual benefit from activities undertaken through this Agreement 

3. Broad participation across the different Member States of the European Community and the 
United States of America; and, 

4. Recognition of the full cultural, social, and economic diversity of the European Community 
and the United States of America. 

Programme Actions 

Article 5 

The  Programme  shall  be  pursued  by  means  of  the  actions  described  in  the  Annex,  which 
forms an integral part of this Agreement. 

Joint Committee 

Article 6 

1.  A  Joint  Committee  is  hereby  established.  It  shall  comprise  an  equal  number  of 
representatives from each of the Parties. 

2. The functions of the Joint Committee shall be to: 

(a) 

(b) 

Review the cooperative activities envisaged under this Agreement; and 

Provide a biannual report to the Parties on the level, status and effectiveness of 
cooperative activities undertaken under this Agreement. 

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3. The Joint Committee shall meet every second year or as agreed upon by the Parties, with 
such meetings being held alternately in the European Community and the United States. 

4.  Decisions  of  the  Joint  Committee  shall  be  reached  by  consensus.  Minutes,  comprising  a 
record  of  the  decisions  and  principal  points,  shall  be  taken  at  each  meeting.  These  Minutes 
shall be approved by those persons selected from each side to chair jointly the meeting, and 
shall,  together  with  the  biannual  report,  be  made  available  to  appropriate  Minister-level 
officials of each Party. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

Article 7 

The Programme shall be monitored and evaluated as appropriate on a cooperative basis. This 
shall permit, as necessary, the reorientation of activities in light of any needs or opportunities 
becoming apparent in the course of its operation. 

Funding 

Article 8 

1.  Activities  under  this  Agreement  shall  be  subject  to  the  availability  of  funds  and  to  the 
applicable  laws  and  regulations,  policies  and  programmes  of  the  European  Community  and 
the United States. Financing will be, to the extent possible, on the basis of an overall matching 
of  funds  between  the  Parties.  The  Parties  shall  attempt  to  offer  Programme  activities  of 
comparable benefit and scope. 

2. Costs incurred by or on behalf of the Joint Committee shall be met by the Party to whom 
the  members  are  responsible.  Costs,  other  than  those  of  travel  and  subsistence,  which  are 
directly associated with meetings of the Joint Committee, shall be met by the host Party. 

Entry of Personnel 

Article 9 

Each  Party  shall  use  its  best  efforts  to  facilitate  entry  to  and  exit  from  its  territory  of 
personnel,  students,  material  and  equipment  of  the  other  Party  engaged  in  or  used  in 
cooperative activities under this Agreement. 

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Other Agreements 

Article 10 

This Agreement shall not replace or otherwise affect other agreements or activities undertaken 
in the fields covered between any Member State of the European Community and the United 
States of America. 

Territorial Application of this Agreement 

Article 11 

This  Agreement  shall  apply,  on  the  one  hand,  to  the  territories  in  which  the  Treaty 
establishing the European Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that 
Treaty and, on the other hand, to the United States. 

Entry into Force and Termination 

Article 12 

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on 
which the Parties shall have notified each other in writing that their legal requirements for the 
entry  into  force  of  this  Agreement  have  been  fulfilled,  whichever  is  the  later  date.  This 
Agreement replaces the 2000 Agreement Between the European Community and the United 
States Renewing a Programme of Cooperation in Higher Education and Vocational Education 
and Training in its entirety. 

2. This Agreement shall remain in force for eight years and may be extended or amended by 
mutual written agreement. 

Amendments or extensions shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the 
date on which the Parties shall have notified each other in writing that their requirements for 
entry into force of the agreement providing for the amendment or extension in question have 
been fulfilled. 

3. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party by providing twelve months' 
written notice. The expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or 
duration of any pre-existing arrangements made under it. 

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Article 13 

Done at (location) this (XX) day of (month) 2006, in duplicate in the English, Czech, Danish, 
Dutch,  Estonian,  Finnish,  French,  German,  Greek,  Hungarian,  Italian,  Latvian,  Lithuanian, 
Maltese,  Polish,  Portuguese,  Slovak,  Slovenian,  Spanish  and  Swedish  languages,  all  texts 
being equally authentic. In the event of discrepancies, the English language shall prevail. 

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF  the  undersigned,  being  duly  authorised,  have  signed  the 
present Agreement. 

For the European Community 

For the United States of America 

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ANNEX 

ACTIONS 

ACTION 1-Joint European Community/United States Consortia Projects 

1. The Parties shall provide support to higher education and vocational education and training 
institutions which form joint EC/U.S. consortia for the purpose of undertaking joint projects 
in the area of higher education and vocational education and training. 

2. Each joint consortium must be formed by a multilateral partnership of EC and U.S. higher 
education and vocational training institutions. 

3.  Joint  consortia  projects  should  normally  involve  transatlantic  mobility  of  students  in  the 
framework of joint study programmes, with a goal of parity in the flows in each direction, and 
should foresee adequate language and cultural preparation. 

4.  Appropriate  authorities  on  each  side  will  jointly  agree  upon  the  eligible  subject  areas  for 
joint EC/U.S. consortia based on priority fields which are key to EC–U.S. cooperation. 

ACTION 2-Excellence (follow-up)  Mobility Projects 

The  Parties  may  provide  financial  support  for  student  mobility  to  joint  consortia  of  higher 
education and vocational training institutions that have a proven track record of excellence in 
the implementation of joint projects funded by the Parties. 

ACTION 3-Policy-oriented measures 

The  Parties  may  provide  financial  support  to  multilateral  projects  involving  organisations 
active  in  the  field  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training  with  a  view  to  enhancing 
collaboration  between  the  European  Community  and  the  United  States  as  regards  the 
development  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training.  Policy-oriented  measures  may 
include studies, conferences, seminars, working groups, benchmarking exercises and address 
horizontal  higher  education  and  vocational  training  issues,  including  recognition  of 
qualifications. 

ACTION 4 – “Schuman-Fulbright” Grants 

The  Parties  intend  to  provide  scholarships  to  highly  qualified  professionals  (including 
professionals-in-training,  who  may  be  engaged  in  advanced  studies  at  universities  and 
professional schools) who want to undertake studies or training, in areas of specific relevance 
to the EU/U.S. relationship, which would be jointly identified by the Parties. For the purpose 
of  promoting  “Schuman-Fulbright”  grants  and  supporting  grantees,  the  Parties  may  provide 
financial support to an organisation that they shall jointly designate. 

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ACTION 5 – Alumni Association 

The  Parties  may  provide  financial  support  to  Alumni  Associations  involving  students  who 
have  participated  in  exchanges  supported  by  the  EC/U.S.  cooperation  programme  in  higher 
education and vocational training. Alumni Associations may be run by organisations that the 
Parties shall jointly designate. 

PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION 

Administration  of  these  Actions  shall  be  implemented  by  the  competent  officials  of  each 
Party. These tasks may include: 

1.  Deciding  upon  the  rules  and  procedures  for  the  presentation  of  proposals,  including  the 
preparation of a common set of guidelines for applicants 

2. Establishing a timetable for publication of calls for proposals, submission and selection of 
proposals 

3. Providing information on the Programme and its implementation 

4. Appointing academic advisors and experts 

5. Recommending to the appropriate authorities of each Party which projects to finance 

6. Providing financial management; and 

7. Promoting a cooperative approach to programme monitoring and evaluation. 

As  a  rule,  the  European  Community  will  provide  support  for  the  use  of  the  European 
Community project partners; the United States will provide support for United States project 
partners. In providing support, the Parties may have recourse to flat-rate grants, scales of unit 
costs and/or scholarships. 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEASURES 

Funds  may  be  used  for  the  purchase  of  services  necessary  to  the  implementation  of  the 
Programme. In particular, the Parties may  have recourse to experts; may organise  seminars, 
colloquia or other meetings likely to facilitate the implementation of the Programme; and may 
undertake evaluation, information, publication and dissemination activities. 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL: 

Proposal  for  COUNCIL  DECISIONS  on  the  signature  and  conclusion  of  the  Agreement 
between  the  European  Community  and  the  United  States  of  America  (hereafter  ‘the  US’) 
renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education and vocational training. 

2. 

ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK 

Policy area: EDUCATION AND CULTURE 

Objective:  "Mutually  improve  the  quality  of  education  through  cooperation  with  third 
countries". 

Activity: EDUCATION 

3. 

BUDGET LINES 

3.1. 

Budget  lines  (operational  lines  and  related  technical  and  administrative 
assistance lines (ex-B.A lines) including headings : 

15.02.03 Co-operation with non-member countries on education and vocational training 

15.01.04.17 Co-operation with non-member countries on education and vocational training – 
Expenditure on administrative management 

15.01.04.32  Executive  agency  for  education,  audiovisual  and  culture  –  subsidies  for 
programmes under heading 4 

3.2. 

Duration of the action and of the financial impact: 2006-2013 

The final duration of the action will be determined in the course of the negotiation and will be 
subject to a mid-term review clause. 

3.3. 

Budgetary characteristics (add rows if necessary) : 

Budget line 

Type of expenditure 

New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
from applicant 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
perspective 

15.02.03 

15.01.04.17 

15.01.04.32 

Non-
comp 

Non-
comp 

Non-
comp 

Diff 

NO 

NO 

Diff 

Diff 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

No 4 

No 4 

No 4 

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4. 

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES 

4.1. 

Financial Resources 

4.1.1. 

Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Expenditure 
type 

Section no. 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011-
2013 

Total 

Operarational expenditure 

Commitment 
Appropriations 
(CA) 

Payment 
Appropriations 
(PA) 

8.1 

a 

2,224  3,780  4,957  5,924  6,004  20,55

1 

b 

0,994  3,158  4,486  5,537  5,972  23,29

4 

43,44
1 

43,44
1 

Administrative expenditure within reference amount[2] 
Technical & 
administrative 
assistance 
(NDA) 

8.2.4 

c 

0,000  0,352  0,352  0,352  0,352  1,056  2,464 

TTOOTTAALL  RREEFFEERREENNCCEE  AAMMOOUUNNTT  

Commitment 
Appropriations 

Payment 
Appropriations 

a+c 

2,224  4,132  5,309  6,276  6,356  21,60

7 

b+c 

0,994  3,510  4,838  5,889  6,324  24,35

0 

45,90
5 

45,90
5 

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount[3] 

8.2.5 

d 

0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  1,134  3,024 

8.2.6 

e 

0,010  0,028  0,010  0,028  0,010  0,065  0,150 

Human 
resources and 
associated 
expenditure 
(NDA) 
Administrative 
costs, other than 
human resources 
and associated 
costs, not 
included in 
reference amount 
(NDA) 

Co-financing details: N.A. 

Under the programme to be renewed by the agreement, the EU will support the involvement 
of the EU institutions and students. No co-financing from Member States or other bodies is 
expected. 

4.1.2.  Compatibility with Financial Programming 

(cid:59) 

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming. 

Proposal  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the  relevant  heading  in  the  financial 

(cid:133) 
perspective. 

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Proposal  may  require  application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Inter-institutional 

(cid:133) 
Agreement8 (i.e. flexibility instrument or revision of the financial perspective). 

Proposal  is  compatible  with  existing  financial  programming.  In  particular  the  estimates  of 
expenditure and financial impact for 2006 are in line with the Budget for that year, whereas 
the estimates of expenditure and financial impact for the period 2007-2013 are indicative and 
reflect  the  current  Commission’s  orientation  with  regard  to  the  new  financial  perspectives. 
These estimates of expenditure do not prejudge the resources available under Heading 4 after 
an agreement between Council and Parliament on the future financial framework 2007-2013, 
and may have to be adjusted following such an agreement. 

4.1.3.  Financial impact on Revenue 

(cid:59) 

Proposal has no financial implications on revenue 

4.1.4.  Human Resources FTE (including officials, temporary and external staff) – see detail 

under point 8.2.1. 

Annual 
requirements 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011-
2013 on 
an annual 
basis and 
later 

Total number of 
human resources 

2,5 

3,5 

3,5 

3,5 

3,5 

3,5 

5. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES 

5.1. 

Need to be met in the short or long term 

The  bilateral  cooperation  agreement  in  the  field  of  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
and youth will seek to enhance mutual understanding among the peoples of the EU and The 
US, to better prepare citizens for the knowledge society and to mutually enhance the quality 
of higher education, training and non-formal education for young people in the EU and in The 
US. 

The bilateral cooperation agreement responds to a political desire by the parties at the highest 
level. 

5.2. 

Value-added  of  Community  involvement  and  coherence  of  the  proposal  with 
other financial instruments and possible synergy 

The relations with the US are of strategic importance for the EU and their scope is constantly 
widening. Leaders at the Dromoland EU-US Summit of 2004 agreed to look for cooperative 
means  and  best  practices  to  enhance  economic  growth,  job  creation  and  innovation.  On  18 
May 2005 the Commission adopted a communication on a stronger EU-US partnership which, 
in  line  with  the  Lisbon  objective,  identified  cooperation  in  education  and  training  as  an 

8 

See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement. 

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important  tool  for  stimulating  knowledge  and  innovation  dynamic  and  called  for  renewing 
and reinforcing the current agreement on Higher Education and Vocational Training. 

The  EU-US  programme  would  provide  added  value  at  a  number  of  levels:  building 
institutional Transatlantic bridges, provide individuals, academic and administrative staff and 
students with their own transatlantic networks, develop specific subjects and disciplines. Also 
the  renewal  of  EU-US  cooperation  programme  in  higher  education  and  vocational  training 
would preserve and develop the multilateral approach involving in each action institutions and 
people  from  different  Member  States.  This  multilateral  approach  has  so  far  proved  to  be 
effective to purse the objective of the programme in terms of increasing mutual understanding 
and improving the quality of education and training in the EU in The US. It has also proved to 
bear  certain  economies  of  scope,  scale  and  quality  enhancement  with  respect  to  bilateral 
programmes. 

The objectives of the EU/US programme in higher education and vocational training would be 
fully consistent with those of other EU instruments in these areas. The agreement would set 
up a framework that would complement other programmes giving the possibility of pursuing 
objectives of quality education though collaboration between the EU and The US. In addition, 
the programme would bring in a transatlantic people-to-people cooperation which is absent in 
other EU education and training programmes. 

In  particular,  the  bilateral  cooperation  programme  will  complement  the  Erasmus  Mundus 
programme in that it will focus on undergraduate mobility and include transatlantic exchanges 
in the field of vocational training. 

The  programme  would  also  complement  the  activities  of  EU  Centres  supported  by  the 
European  Union  in  that  it  offers  additional  possibilities  for  exchanges  and  encourages 
structural cooperation between institutions and organisations from both sides of the Atlantic. 

5.3. 

Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context 
of the ABM framework 

Objective 

Non exhaustive list of indicators 

General objectives 

–  To 

enhance  mutual  understanding 
among  the  peoples  of  the  European 
Union and the US 

–  To  better  prepare  citizens  for 

the 

knowledge society 

–  To  mutually  enhance  the  quality  of 

education. 

–  Quantitative  data  on  perception  among 
programme  users  and 
stakeholders 
obtained  through  surveys  carried  out 
during interim and ex-post evaluation 

Specific objectives 

–  to  enhance  collaboration  between  the 
European  Union  and  the  US  in  the 
domains  of  higher  education  and 

–  Quantitative  data  on  perception  of 
officials  and  administrators  obtained 
interviews;
through 

direct 

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training 

–  to  contribute  to  the  development  of 
training 

education 

and 

higher 
institutions 

–  to  contribute  to  individual  participants’ 
personal  development  for  their  personal 
sake and as a way to achieve the general 
objective of the programme. 

–  Quantitative  data  on  perception  of 
individuals  responsible  for  institutions 
the 
and  organisations 
programme obtained through surveys 

involved 

in 

–  Quantitative 

data 

on 

participants’ 

perceptions obtained through surveys. 

Results can be defined as an advantage or disadvantage which direct addressees obtain at the 
end  of  their  participation  in  a  public  intervention.  They  should  therefore  be  identified  in 
relation with the operational objectives of the intervention. 

Operational objectives 

Results obtained by participants 

–  To support collaboration between higher 
education 
training 
institutions  with  a  view  to  promoting 
joint study programmes and mobility; 

vocational 

and 

–  Institutions: 
improved  curricula  and 
teaching 
greater 
methodologies; 
transparency  and  understanding  of 
respective  credit 
improved 
transatlantic 
preparedness 
cooperation 

system; 

for 

–  Students: 

enriching 

transatlantic 
experience; better education and cultural 
understanding. 

–  To support collaboration between public 
and  private  organisations  active  in  the 
field of higher education and vocational 
training  with  a  view  to  encouraging 
discussion  and  exchange  of  experience 
on policy issues; 

–  To  support  transatlantic  mobility  of 
professionals  with  a  view  to  improving 
mutual  understanding  of  issues  relevant 
to EU/US relations. 

–  Organisations, 

institutions: 

better 

understating of policy issues; 

–  Individuals: better understanding of key 

issues in EU/US relations. 

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5.4.  Method of Implementation (indicative) 

Show below the method(s)9  chosen for the implementation of the action. 

X Centralised Management 

X Directly by the Commission 

X Indirectly by delegation to: 

X Executive Agency 

ٱ Bodies set up by the Communities as referred to in art. 185 of the Financial 

Regulation 

ٱ National public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission 

ٱ Shared or decentralised management 

ٱ With Member states 

ٱ With Third countries 

ٱ Joint management with international organisations (please specify) 

The proposed programme is based on the principle of joint funding from the European Union 
and  from  the  US.  Call  for  proposals  are  administered  by  the  European  Commission  on  the 
basis of joint guidelines agreed beforehand with US authorities. 

For the purpose of managing the programme, the European Commission may have recourse to 
an  Executive  Agency.  If  the  proposed  financial  envelope  of  the  EU/US  programme  is 
maintained  the  recourse  to  an  Executive  Agency  will  be  justified.  The  recourse  to  an 
Executive  agency  will  also  be  justified  in  the  case  the  financial  envelope  of  the  EU/US 
programme  is  reduced  but  a  very  similar  agreement  be  concluded  with  Canada  increasing 
economies of scale and providing a rationale for implementation of some actions through an 
Executive Agency. 

6. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

6.1.  Monitoring system 

Monitoring of the joint EU/US projects will be implemented through a combination of desk 
monitoring (based on regular reporting from grant holders), and on site monitoring carried out 
by the Commission and by the appropriate structure designated by the US. 

9 

If  more  than  one  method  is  indicated  please  provide  additional  details  in  the  "Relevant  comments" 
section of this point 

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6.2. 

Evaluation 

6.2.1.  Ex-ante evaluation 

The ex-ante evaluation is based on experience acquired implementing the current phase of the 
programme, direct feedback from programme users, a study on the vocational training strand 
within the programme, expert consultations and an interim evaluation of the current phase of 
the programme. 

The  explanatory  memorandum  covers  the  main  aspects  of  ex-ante  evaluation  and  impact 
assessment. 

The  main  findings  of  the  ex-ante  evaluation  as  regards  higher  education  and  vocational 
training are the following: 

–  the  programme  is  beneficial  for  the  institutions,  faculties  and  students  involved.  In 
particular  the  programme  is  effective  in  improving  students  and  staff  cross-cultural 
understanding. 

–  the programme also contributed to curriculum development and especially to consolidating 

transatlantic networks of universities and vocational training institutions. 

–  the  programme  is,  however,  considered  too  small  to  have  had  an  impact  on  the  mutual 

understanding between the people of the European Union and the US. 

–  sustainability of mobility projects was put into question due to lack of follow-up funding. 

–  for  a  vocational  training  strand  to  coexist  with  higher  education,  a  significant  budget 

increase is necessary 

–  a  specific  approach  was  necessary  for  vocational  education  and  training  adapting  certain 

implementation criteria to the specific reality of this field 

–  the  interim  evaluation  suggest  some  operational  changes:  a)  increase  the  duration  of 
consortia  projects;  b)  put  emphasis  on  identification  and  exchange  of  best  practices;  c) 
introduce a system of additional mobility grants for successful projects. 

6.2.2.  Measures  taken  following  an  intermediate/ex-post  evaluation  (lessons  learned  from 

similar experiences in the past) 

The proposed programme will be designed taking into account the conclusions from the ex-
ante evaluation, namely, it would 

–  maintain and develop the well tested and proven components of the programme 

–  develop a specific approach for vocational training 

–  build on projects of proven excellence 

–  reinforce mobility 

–  increase the financial envelope of the programme. 

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29 

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6.2.3.  Terms and frequency of future evaluation 

In  principle,  an  interim  evaluation  will  be  undertaken  after  the  first  three  years  of 
implementation and an ex-post final evaluation will be launched at the end of the intervention. 

7. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES 

Funding decisions and contracts between the Commission and the beneficiaries provide for in 
situ checks to be carried out on the premises of beneficiaries of a European Community grant 
by the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and bestow the power to require evidence of 
any  expenditure  made  under  such  contracts,  agreements  and  legal  undertakings  within  five 
years following the end of the contractual period. 

Beneficiaries  are  subject  to  reporting  and  financial  accounting  obligations,  and  these  are 
analysed from the point of view of content and eligibility of expenditure, bearing in mind the 
purpose of the European Community funding, and taking account  of contractual obligations 
and of the principles of economy and sound financial management. 

Appended to the financial agreements is information of an administrative and financial nature, 
designed to specify the kind of expenditure which is eligible under such agreements. Where 
appropriate, European Community coverage of certain cost elements will be limited to items 
which are real, identifiable and verifiable in the beneficiary's book-keeping arrangements, so 
as  to  facilitate  checking  and  auditing  (and  evaluation  for  selection  purposes)  of  projects  in 
receipt of funding. 

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30 

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8. 

DETAILS OF RESOURCES 

8.1. 

Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Headings of 
operational 
objectives 

Type of output 

Av. 
cost 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011-2013 

TOTAL 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

0,664 

3 

1,924 

5 

3,320 

5 

3,320 

6 

3,984 

No. 
output
s 
6 

Total cost 

No. outputs 

Total 
cost 

3,984 

20 

13,280 

No. 
output
s 
45 

Total 
cost 

29,812 

0,203 

0,100 

0 

1 

0,000 

0,100 

0 

2 

0,000 

0,200 

5 

3 

1,017 

0,300 

6 

4 

1,220 

0,400 

6 

4 

1,220 

0,400 

21 

12 

4,271 

38 

7,729 

1,200 

26 

2,600 

0,020 

10 

0,200 

13 

0,260 

16 

0,320 

16 

0,320 

20 

0,400 

90 

1,800 

165 

3,300 

Support 
collaboration 
between higher 
education and 
vocational training 
institutions 

Support to policy-
oriented 
collaboration 

Support to mobility 
of professionals 

Transatlantic 
Degrees 

Excellence 
consortia projects 

Policy-oriented 
projects 

Schuman–
Fulbright 
Individual 
Mobility Grants 

TOTAL COST 

14 

2,224 

20 

3,780 

29 

4,957 

32 

5,924 

36 

6,004 

143 

20,551 

274 

43,441 

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8.2. 

Administrative Expenditure 

8.2.1.  Number and type of human resources 

Types of 
post 

Staff to be assigned to management of the action using existing and/or additional 
resources (number of posts/FTEs) 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

1 

¾ 
3/4 

0 

2 

3/4 
3/4 

0 

2 

2 

3/4 
3/4 

0 

2 

2 

3/4 
3/4 

0 

2 

2 

3/4 
3/4 

0 

2 

2011-2013 
on annual 
basis 
2 

3/4 
3/4 

0 

2 

2,5 

5,5 

5,5 

5,5 

5,5 

5,5 

A*/AD 

B*, 
C*/AST 

Officials 
or 
temporary 
staff10 
(XX 01 
01) 
Staff financed11  by 
art. XX 01 02 
Other staff12

financed by 

art. XX 01 04/05 

TOTAL 

8.2.2.  Description of tasks deriving from the action 

A*/AD: Policy development, programme manager, relations with partner countries: 

B*/AST Financial assistant 

C*/AST Secretarial and financial support 

8.2.3. 

Sources of human resources (statutory) 

(When more than one source is stated, please indicate the number of posts originating from 
each of the sources) 

Posts  currently  allocated  to  the  management  of  the  programme  to  be  replaced  or 

2,5 
extended. 

(cid:133) 

1 

Posts pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for year n 

Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure 

Posts to be redeployed using existing resources within the managing service (internal 

(cid:133) 
redeployment) 

Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the year in 

(cid:133) 
question 

10 

11 

12 

Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount 
Cost of which is included within the reference amount 

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   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
8.2.4.  Other  Administrative  expenditure  included  in  reference  amount  (XX  01  04/05  – 

Expenditure on administrative management) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

1) Technical and administrative 
assistance 
a) Executive Agency13
5.01.04.32 

b) Other technical and administrative 
assistance:15.01.04.17 
-intra muros: 

-extra muros: 

TOTAL 

2006 

2007 

 2008 

 2009 

 2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Total 

0,000 

0,272 

0,272 

0,272 

0,272 

0,272 

0,272 

0,272 

1,904 

0,080 

0,080 

0,080 

0,080 

0,080 

0,080 

0,080 

0,560 

0,000 

0,352 

0,352 

0,352 

0,352 

0,352 

0,352 

0,352 

2,464 

The  Budget  2006  does  not  include  specific  budget  line  for  administrative  assistance. 
Expenditure such as that generated by experts for the assessment of proposals is funded under 
the  DG’s  global  envelope.  As  from  2007  a  budget  line  for  administrative  support  will  be 
created. This is justified by the potentially higher budget allocated to not only to the EU/US 
agreement  but  also  to  the  future  EU/Canada  agreement  (both  programmes  combined  would 
total 8M€ per annum, up from 3M€ per annum at present). The budget line for administrative 
assistance  is  justified  also  by  the  possibility  of  implementing  the  programme  through  the 
existing  Executive  Agency  Education,  Audiovisual  and  Culture.  The  scale  of  the  proposed 
budget for the EU/US agreement justifies the recourse to an Executive Agency. In addition, if 
a similar agreement is concluded with Canada there would be additional economies of scale 
and a strong rationale for implementing some actions of the programmes through the existing 
Executive  Agency  Education,  Audiovisual  and  Culture.  For  this  reason,  the  table  above 
includes the amount equivalent to 1 contractual agent and 1 temporary post for the Executive 
Agency. 

8.2.5.  Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference 

amount 

Type of human resources 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Total 
2006-
2013 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Officials and temporary staff 
(XX 01 01) 

Staff financed by Art XX 01 02 
(auxiliary, END, contract staff, 
etc.) 
(specify budget line) 

Total cost of Human Resources 
and associated costs (NOT in 
reference amount) 

0,270  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378 

0,378 

2,916 

0,270  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378  0,378 

0,378 

2,916 

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents: 

13 

The  possibility  of  having  recourse  to  the  existing  Executive  Agency  Education,  Audiovisual  and 
Culture will be examined in the context of the evaluation of the Agency. The evaluation will be carried 
out in 2006 in view of the implementation of the new education programmes 2007-2013. 

EN 

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(2,5  staff  in  2006  x108.000  EUR)  +  (3,5  staff  in  2007-2013  x  7  years  x  108.000  EUR)  = 
2.916.000 EUR 

This  calculation  is  based  on  the  assumption  that  the  Executive  Agency  Education, 
Audiovisual and Culture will be involved in the implementation of the programme. If this is 
not the case, 2 additional Commission staff would be required. 

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02 

N.A. 

8.2.6.  Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011-
2013 

TOTAL 

XX 01 02 11 01 – Missions 

0,010 

0,010 

0,010 

0,010  0,010 

0,030 

0,080 

XX 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences 

XX 01 02 11 03 – Committees14 

0,018 

0,018 

0,035 

0,070 

Joint  EU/US  committee  set  up  by 
agreement 

the 

XX 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations 

XX 01 02 11 05-Information systems 

2 Total Other Management Expenditure 

(XX 01 02 11) 

3 

Other 

expenditure 

administrative 
including reference to budget line) 

nature 

of 

an 
(specify 

Total Administrative expenditure, other 
than human resources and associated 
costs (NOT included in reference 
amount) 

0,010 

0,028 

0,010  0,028 

0,010 

0,065 

0,150 

Calculation-Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

Missions: 2 x 3000 (to the US) + 6 x 700 (to Member States) = EUR 10.200 

Joint Committee meeting with Member States every other year: 25 x 700 x 4 = EUR 70.000 

14 

Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs. 

EN 

34 

   EN