Education experts may collaborate in Erasmus+ project evaluation processes

The Presidency of the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE) has issued a Resolution on July 30, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-17281), establishing the formal procedure for the constitution of an expert panel. This panel is designed to collaborate in the evaluation of applications, the analysis of reports, and the scrutiny of documentation related to decentralized actions within the framework of the Erasmus+ Program.

What changes

The new Resolution introduces a structured mechanism to ensure that the evaluation of Erasmus+ projects is conducted by independent professionals, thereby guaranteeing impartiality and technical rigor. According to the text of BOE-A-2026-17281, the primary change is the formalization of a selection process for experts who will support SEPIE in its role as the National Agency. This is not merely a temporary measure but a strategic institutionalization of the evaluation process.

Key technical changes include:

• Scope of Work: Experts will be tasked with evaluating requests, analyzing technical reports, and reviewing documentation for decentralized actions. This ensures that only high-quality projects meeting specific criteria receive funding or accreditation.
• Temporal Validity: The newly constituted panel will have a fixed term of three years. However, the resolution provides for the possibility of extensions, allowing for continuity in the evaluation processes (BOE-A-2026-17281).
• Multiannual Coverage: Unlike previous temporary extensions, this procedure is designed to bridge two distinct European funding cycles. It covers the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and, crucially, the upcoming 2028-2034 period, provided that SEPIE maintains its designation as the National Agency.

Context

The management of the Erasmus+ Program in Spain is governed by Royal Decree 903/2007, which attributes to SEPIE the coordinated management of these actions and the promotion of the internationalization of the Spanish university system. As a National Agency, SEPIE is required by European Commission regulations to utilize independent experts to ensure that the selection of beneficiaries is fair, coherent, and aligned with the priorities of the program's policies.

Historically, the expert panel has undergone several iterations. Previous procedures were established via resolutions in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Due to the complexity of transitioning between European financial frameworks, the SEPIE Director had to approve several extensions to the previous panel's validity, including an extension that lasted until January 31, 2027. The current Resolution (BOE-A-2026-17281) serves to replace these temporary measures with a long-term, stable regulatory framework that provides legal certainty for both the agency and the professionals involved.

Who is affected and how

This regulation specifically targets professionals within the educational and training sectors. While it does not directly change the subsidy amounts for applicants, it fundamentally alters the technical environment in which those applications are judged.

Education and Training Professionals

For experts, academics, and technical specialists in the field of education, this resolution opens a professional pathway for technical collaboration. Being part of the panel allows these individuals to participate directly in the governance and quality control of the Erasmus+ Program. The impact is twofold: it offers a professional opportunity to contribute to international educational standards and ensures that the evaluation of grants is conducted by peers with high-level expertise.

Educational Institutions and Project Applicants

While institutions (universities, vocational training centers, etc.) are not the direct subjects of the panel's constitution, they are the primary beneficiaries of its existence. The establishment of a stable, expert-led panel means that the evaluation of their grant applications will be more predictable, transparent, and technically sound. A more rigorous evaluation process reduces the risk of arbitrary decisions and ensures that the most deserving projects are selected based on merit and compliance with the Erasmus+ criteria.

What to do and when

Since this resolution establishes the procedure for the constitution of the panel, interested parties should monitor the official communications from SEPIE regarding the specific call for experts. The following steps are recommended:

• Monitor SEPIE Announcements: The resolution defines the framework, but the specific call for applications (convocatoria) will dictate the exact deadlines for submission of CVs and credentials.
• Verify Technical Alignment: Professionals should ensure their expertise aligns with the decentralized actions of the Erasmus+ program, particularly within the 2021-2027 and 2028-2034 frameworks.
• Prepare Documentation: Given that the panel's role involves the analysis of documentation and reports, experts should be prepared to demonstrate high levels of technical proficiency in educational evaluation and project management.

For specific queries regarding how these changes might impact ongoing or future grant applications, we recommend consulting with the specialized area at BMC to evaluate your specific institutional context.