PEO “Schools for the Future”: projects of at least €700,000 for schools, submission by 27 November

On 30 September 2026, the Managing Authority for the Education and Employment Programme (PEO) launched the competitive calls “Schools for the Future”, funded by ESF+. Accredited state or private schools may apply, alone or in partnership. The projects fund functional literacy and STEAM performance programmes for pupils. Applications are submitted in MySMIS2021 by 27 November 2026, 16:00.

The guide was in public consultation until 8 September. With the launch, the AM PEO published its responses to the comments, which show several changes compared with the first version.

In brief

• Programme: Education and Employment Programme 2021–2027, Priority 7, Specific Objective ESO4.5, Action 7.e.3 “Making training opportunities more flexible and diverse”
• Authority: AM PEO, Ministry of Investments and European Projects
• Beneficiaries: accredited state or private pre-university education institutions, alone or in partnership
• Value per project: at least EUR 700,000, the general threshold set by the guide
• Submission period: 30 September 2026, 18:00 – 27 November 2026, 16:00, in MySMIS2021
• Status: calls launched, submission open

What do the calls fund?

There are two calls. One is for pupils domiciled in the Bucharest-Ilfov region, the other for pupils in the less developed regions. A project may cover a single strand (functional literacy or STEAM excellence) or combine both. According to the AM PEO's response document, eligible activities include:

• assessing literacy levels and remedial programmes, including artificial intelligence and data literacy;
• developing advanced skills, performance and excellence in STEAM fields: workshops, clubs, competitions, prizes and incentives;
• complementary measures, such as meals and transport for activities outside the school timetable, only for pupils who do not receive similar support from other sources;
• teacher training, including in digital pedagogy, the school-based optional curriculum (CDEOS) and digital educational resources;
• educational software and digital platforms, including cloud services.

Technological equipment, kits and robotics systems may be purchased only as direct support for the STEAM activities in the project, not as separate purchases. At competitions organised by the school, no more than 30% of registered participants may receive prizes.

Who can apply, and with which partners?

Accredited state or private pre-university education institutions with primary, lower secondary and/or upper secondary classes may apply. The AM PEO has confirmed that schools with only the primary level are also eligible. Vocational and technical education units, including dual education, as well as post-secondary schools with a technological profile, have been explicitly added. The AM PEO also lists school inspectorates and CJRAE among the eligible entities.

Partners may be:

• NGOs with at least one project implemented in the last 3 years in the fields of the call;
• higher education institutions with completed reference projects;
• Children’s Palaces and Clubs, through the unit under which they operate;
• the county Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Bucharest Municipality one, with at least one project in the last 3 years in education, innovation, STEAM or technology.

The partnership leader must manage a larger budget than any other partner. Partnerships between public institutions are an exception.

Which conditions should you keep in mind?

• At least 400 pupils in the target group. Small schools can reach the threshold together, through collaboration agreements with other schools, which become associated partners (Annex 7 of the guide).
• Result indicator target: at least 80% of the committed value for indicator EECO06+07, that is, the number of children and young people in the project.
• No more than 5 projects per applicant or partner, in accordance with the PEO General Conditions Guide. A school with pupils from both categories of regions may submit separate projects under each call.
• ITI Danube Delta: for projects in this territory, the certificate of conformity issued by ADI ITI Danube Delta must be uploaded in MySMIS2021.
• The target group selection methodology is not mandatory, but it earns additional points in the evaluation grid.

The budget of each call is set out in the call notices published by the AM PEO on the launch page. Check the allocation for your region before you start preparing.

What this means for your school or organisation

Our recommendation: for a small school, a project of at least EUR 700,000 with 400 pupils is hard to carry alone. The realistic option is a consortium: a large school or a technological high school as leader, associated partner schools that bring pupils, and an NGO or a university for expertise. Town halls are not among the eligible applicants, but they can help the schools under their authority prepare the application.

Common pitfalls are:

• oversizing equipment purchases, which cannot be justified without concrete STEAM activities;
• funding meals for pupils who already receive meals through other programmes for the same period;
• committing to target group figures that the school cannot reach. For unmet indicators, funding may be reduced under the AM PEO methodology (Annex 19 to the Beneficiary’s Manual).

The eight weeks remaining are enough only if the partnership and collaboration agreements are signed in October.

Frequently asked questions

Can a school with only primary classes apply?

Yes. The AM PEO has stated that units operating with only the accredited primary level are also eligible. You do not need to have all the education levels mentioned in the guide.

How can a small school reach the threshold of 400 pupils?

Through collaboration agreements with other accredited education units, from which the pupils are recruited. These schools become associated partners: they receive no budget but benefit from the project’s results. The project may be county-level, inter-county or regional.

Can private companies be partners in the project?

The call does not allow a direct economic advantage to be granted to economic operators. Companies may provide services only as providers selected through transparent, non-discriminatory procurement. Chambers of Commerce and Industry, however, can be partners if they meet the experience requirement.

Can robotics equipment be purchased?

Yes, but only as direct support for the STEAM skills development activities in the project. The equipment remains at the disposal of the beneficiary schools and must be kept throughout the sustainability period.

Official sources

• MIPE – PEO: Competitive calls “Schools for the Future”
• MIPE – Education and Employment Programme guides
• AM PEO – Responses to the proposals from the public consultation on the “Schools for the Future” guide
• MIPE – Public consultation: Applicant’s Guide “Schools for the Future”

Information checked on 1 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.