Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is preparing for the next Erasmus+ funding call. On 10 November 2026, academic and support staff, all active in research and innovation at different stages of their careers, came together for an Erasmus+ grant-writing workshop facilitated by Huba Boshoff, a higher education specialist and Founder of The Knowledge Collab. Designed to prepare staff before the call opens in the new year, the workshop covered the principles of a strong application and the funding opportunities available.
Participants were introduced to the thematic areas that shape Erasmus+ funding and learned that successful applications rest on genuine collaboration, strong partnerships and a realistic budget. They also heard that South Africa falls within the region eligible for this funding.
Staff were grouped according to their research focus. By the end of the day, each group had developed a preliminary project concept. The concepts were innovative, and several took shape as partnerships across South Africa, Africa and Europe, built around capacity building, curriculum development, collaboration and staff mobility. Every concept developed at the workshop supports MUT’s IGNITE 2030 strategy and the University’s ambitions for research growth. Securing Erasmus+ funding would strengthen MUT’s partnerships, expand opportunities for staff and students, and raise the University’s profile as a research-active institution.
“With a strong foundation in place, the next step is to refine the concepts into full proposals before the call opens. Let us all continue to develop these excellent ideas and partnerships in the coming months, because developing a strong proposal rest on proper planning,” said Boshoff.