From Vision to Viability: How to Build Sustainable Funding for European University Alliances
A peer-learning visit within the EU-funded Future4Alliances project took place from 24–26 March 2026 in Vienna, Klosterneuburg, St. Pölten and Leoben (hybrid format), focusing on sustainable funding for European University Alliances.
Over the three-day programme, participants exchanged experience and explored different models of funding and institutional cooperation. One of the key takeaways was that sustainability cannot be reduced to financial resources alone but is closely linked to the strategic purpose of alliances, their organizational structure and the added value they create.
The first day in Vienna focused on European and national funding frameworks, with contributions from key Austrian institutions and the representatives of several European alliances. On the second day, participants visited the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, where models of excellence, innovation and regional cooperation were presented, while interaction between different levels of financing resources was explained. The final day in Leoben highlighted successful examples of long-term university partnerships and sustainable cooperation models.
The peer-learning visit demonstrated that sustainable funding for European Universities Alliances cannot be reduced to financial instruments alone. It requires strategic clarity, institutional commitment, diversified funding approaches and governance models that support long-term cooperation.
Through exchanges with ministries, funding agencies, alliances and higher education institutions, participants gained valuable insights into different pathways from vision to viability — and reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening the sustainability of European Universities Alliances for the future.
The full report is available here.