Inter-University Centre for European StudiesInter-University Centre for European Studies
The European Commission, through its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, started in 1989 a programme under the name of Jean Monnet Action, aimed at fostering worldwide the teaching, research and reflection on those issues related to the European Integration Process at the Higher-Education- Institutions level.
The Jean Monnet Action encompasses a series of programmes and projects of different nature, such as the Centres of Excellence, Jean Monnet Chairs, Jean Monnet Modules and dissemination and research activities, as well as other measures to support those teaching and research networks in the European Integration field.
The Jean Monnet Seal is guarantee of academic excellence, since Jean Monnet Projects are granted according to their academic merits and after a thorough and individual assessment carried out by experts.
There may be found projects in 68 different countries and in the five continents. Between 1990 and 2010, there were granted 150 Centres of Excellence, 825 Jean Monnet Chairs and more than 1,000 Modules and permanent seminars. By means of these projects, work is carried out together with more than 1,500 lecturers, and approximately 500,000 students benefit from these activities each year.
The Programme is named after Jean Monnet, who is considered one of the founders of the European Integration Process, upon the inspiration of the so-called "Schuman Declaration", of 9 May 1950, which was the origin of the European Coal and Steel Community.
