KA121 or KA122? Choosing the right KA1 route
KA122 short-term projects are for organisations without Erasmus accreditation: 6 to 18 months, up to 30 participants, and at most three grants in any five call years. KA121 is for accredited organisations: a yearly grant that follows a long-term Erasmus Plan, with no 30-participant cap. If you plan to send staff every year, accreditation usually pays off. If you are testing Erasmus+ for the first time, start with KA122.
Side by side
| KA122 short-term project | KA121 accredited project | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Organisations in the field without accreditation | Organisations holding an Erasmus accreditation in the field |
| Duration | 6 to 18 months | 15 months, extendable to 24 |
| Participants | Up to 30 (accompanying persons and preparatory visits not counted) | No 30-participant cap |
| How often | Max. 3 grants in any 5 consecutive call years; one application per round | Applies every year under the accreditation |
| Deadline (2026) | 19 February; round 2 on 1 October only if your NA opens it | 19 February |
| Planning | One project at a time | Long-term Erasmus Plan, assessed in the accreditation |
| Quality | Erasmus Quality Standards apply | Erasmus Quality Standards apply, with monitoring of the Erasmus Plan |
When KA122 is the right choice
- It is your first Erasmus+ project and you want to test how mobility works in your organisation.
- You plan one group of mobilities, not a yearly programme.
- Your needs are clear and limited to one or two topics.
When accreditation (KA121) is the right choice
- You want to send staff, and in VET or adult education learners, every year.
- You have used or will soon use your three KA122 grants.
- Your management wants a multi-year development plan, not one-off projects.
Accreditation is obtained through a KA120 application with an Erasmus Plan. In the 2026 round the deadline was 29 September. Applications need at least 70 of 100 points and at least half of the points in each criterion. Previous Erasmus+ experience is not required.
Three things coordinators often miss
- Accredited organisations cannot apply for KA122 in the same field. They already have permanent access to funding through KA121.
- The 50% cap for courses in school and VET. The total grant for courses and training is limited to 50% of the awarded project grant, or 20 000 € for projects awarded up to 40 000 €. Mix courses with job shadowing or teaching assignments.
- Round 2 is not everywhere. In 2026, IKY in Greece opened round 2 only for adult education. Check your own National Agency.
Questions coordinators ask us
Can a consortium help a small school?
Yes. Many schools take part through an accredited consortium led by a local or regional authority, which removes the need for their own application.
Does accreditation guarantee funding every year?
It gives you simplified access to KA121 funding each year, but the amount depends on your National Agency’s budget and your performance.
Sources
- Programme Guide: mobility projects for school education staff
- Programme Guide: mobility projects for VET learners and staff
- Programme Guide: mobility projects for adult education
- Programme Guide: Erasmus accreditation in adult education, VET and school education
- IKY: 2026 deadlines for decentralised actions
Facts checked on 16 October 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
