European Grants to Fund Your School’s AI Agent Initiative

As artificial intelligence continues to redefine the educational landscape, European schools have a unique opportunity to explore and implement AI agent initiatives. With the right support, these projects can transform teaching, foster digital literacy, and ensure that students are well-prepared for a rapidly changing world. Funding, however, remains a critical concern. Fortunately, several robust European grant programs are designed to empower educators and institutions to pilot AI-driven solutions, experiment with new technologies, and share their findings across the continent.

1. Erasmus+ Key Action 2: Cooperation Partnerships

Erasmus+ is widely recognized for its commitment to international collaboration and innovation in education. Under Key Action 2: Cooperation Partnerships, schools can join forces with other institutions, research organizations, and industry partners across Europe to develop, pilot, and refine AI agent projects.

“The flexibility of Erasmus+ makes it an ideal starting point for schools looking to experiment with AI-driven tools in real-world educational settings,” notes Dr. Isabel Meyer, an education technology researcher based in Berlin.

Applications typically open in the fall each year, with deadlines around March of the following year. For the 2024-2025 cycle, proposals are due by 5 March 2025. Schools should focus on clear project objectives, robust partnership structures, and concrete plans for impact assessment.

Application Tips

• Include diverse partners—a university or tech company can strengthen your proposal.
• Demonstrate how your AI agent initiative addresses digital inclusion and ethical considerations.
• Emphasize staff and student training, ensuring long-term sustainability of the project.

2. Horizon Europe: Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation program. Cluster 4 focuses on digital transformation, with several calls specifically targeting AI experimentation in education. These grants support ambitious pilot projects, from AI-powered virtual tutors to intelligent assessment systems.

“Horizon Europe’s scale encourages schools to think big—collaborating with leading researchers and tech developers to shape the future of learning,” says Professor Cristina Rossi from the University of Milan.

Calls open at various times throughout the year; for 2025, the main digital education call is expected to close in September 2025. Budgets are larger, but competition is intense—consortiums with strong technical, pedagogical, and policy expertise fare best.

Application Tips

• Ensure your project aligns with EU priorities, such as responsible AI and student wellbeing.
• Provide clear KPIs to measure the educational impact of your AI agents.
• Highlight plans for sharing results through open-source platforms or teacher training networks.

3. Digital Europe Programme: Advanced Digital Skills

The Digital Europe Programme supports large-scale digital capacity building, and its Advanced Digital Skills window is especially relevant for schools aiming to pilot AI agents. This grant funds teacher training, curriculum development, and real-world projects that integrate AI into classroom practices.

The next application window is expected to close in early 2025. Schools can apply individually or as part of a consortium, with preference given to projects that demonstrate scalability and cross-border collaboration.

Application Tips

• Include a detailed plan for upskilling teachers in AI ethics, data privacy, and classroom integration.
• Showcase how your AI agent pilot will reach underrepresented groups or regions.
• Commit to publishing open-access teaching materials or toolkits for broader impact.

4. European Education Area: EdTech Testbeds Initiative

The European Education Area (EEA) is launching a new EdTech Testbeds Initiative to support experimentation with cutting-edge digital tools, including AI agents, in real educational settings. This program provides funding, technical guidance, and a framework for rigorous evaluation—enabling schools to test and refine innovative AI solutions before broader rollout.

“Testbeds bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving educators a safe space to trial AI agents and gather evidence on what works,” observes Martine Lefevre, policy advisor at the French Ministry of Education.

The first calls are anticipated in late 2024, with deadlines likely in January 2025. Selected schools will work closely with EdTech startups, research institutes, and policymakers to assess the impact of AI agents on learning outcomes and teacher workload.

Application Tips

• Partner with local or regional education authorities to enhance credibility.
• Design your pilot to collect both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Prepare to adapt your AI agents based on student and teacher feedback during the pilot.

5. CEF Digital: Public Sector Digital Transformation

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital funds initiatives that advance digital transformation in the public sector, including schools. Under this scheme, grants are available for projects that deploy and evaluate AI-powered agents to streamline administration, personalize learning, or improve digital accessibility in education.

Calls for proposals are generally published in spring, with deadlines in June or July each year. The program encourages projects that can be scaled or replicated in other regions or EU member states.

Application Tips

• Demonstrate interoperability with existing school information systems or platforms.
• Include a clear risk assessment, particularly regarding data protection and AI transparency.
• Plan for dissemination by organizing workshops or webinars for other schools.

Key Considerations for Successful Proposals

Applying for EU grants can be complex, but several strategies can boost your chances of success:

• Start Early: Most applications require detailed planning, partnership agreements, and institutional sign-off—begin preparing at least six months before the deadline.
• Focus on Impact: Define how your AI agent initiative will improve teaching, learning, or school management, and outline how you intend to measure success.
• Address Ethics and Legislation: The EU prioritizes responsible AI. Ensure your project complies with the AI Act, GDPR, and other relevant frameworks.
• Engage Stakeholders: Involve teachers, students, parents, and local authorities in the project design and evaluation phases. Their input enhances both quality and relevance.
• Plan for Sustainability: Outline how your AI agent pilot will continue after the grant period, whether through school budgets, local partnerships, or additional funding sources.

“The most successful AI agent pilots are those that put pedagogy first—using technology to empower learners and teachers, rather than just automating existing routines,” reflects Dr. Anna Kovács, a specialist in digital education policy.

The Evolving Landscape of AI and Education Policy

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in European classrooms, educators face a rapidly shifting policy environment. The EU AI Act sets new standards for transparency, accountability, and data protection—requiring schools to ensure that AI agents are safe, fair, and explainable. Many grant programs now ask applicants to demonstrate how their projects align with these legislative priorities, as well as broader EU goals around digital inclusion and lifelong learning opportunities.

Being proactive in addressing these policy issues—by, for example, conducting impact assessments or developing clear consent procedures for student data—can make your proposal stand out.

Looking Ahead: Building Capacity and Community

Securing an EU grant is about more than funding—it’s an invitation to join a vibrant community of educators, technologists, and researchers shaping the future of learning. By piloting AI agent initiatives, schools contribute to a growing evidence base on what works (and what doesn’t) in digital education, while also building capacity for ongoing innovation.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the possibilities of AI, or you’re ready to scale up a promising pilot, these European grant programs offer a pathway to meaningful, evidence-informed progress. With careful planning, collaboration, and a focus on responsible innovation, your school can lead the way in harnessing the benefits of AI for all learners.