TEMPUS is the European Union’s programme which supports the modernisation of higher education in the EU's surrounding area. Tempus promotes institutional cooperation that involves the European Union and Partner Countries and focuses on the reform and modernisation of higher education systems in the Partner Countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean region.

It also aims to promote voluntary convergence of the higher education systems in the Partner Countries with EU developments in the field of higher education. With regards to the Western Balkans, Tempus contributes to preparing the candidate and potential candidate countries for a participation in the integrated Life Long Learning Programme.

In addition to promoting cooperation between institutions, Tempus also promotes a people-to-people approach.Tempus provides support to consortia of institutions composed mainly of universities or university associations. Non-academic partners can also be part of a consortium.

The Tempus programme is implemented in close coordination with the Erasmus Mundus programme which provides scholarships to third country students allowing them to participate in top-level Master courses and Doctorate programmes outside the EU.
Tempus I - 1990-1994;
Tempus II - 1994-1998;
Tempus II bis - 1998-2000;
Tempus III - 2000-2006;
Tempus IV – 2007 – 2013.

The common programme objective is to assist cooperation development in the field of higher education between European Union and partner-countries in the context of Lisbon strategy of Bologna process.

Programme objectives:
* Higher education reforming and modernization assistance in partner-countries
* Quality and higher education role raising in the partner-countries
* Development of Higher education institute’s potential, particularly in the field of international cooperation and sustainable realization of modernizing processes.
* Assist higher education institutes to establish cooperation with civil society, labour field and outward things to:
- Overcome higher education fragmentariness as well as in the different countries so in the framework of each country separately
- Develop interdisciplinary approaches
- Increase the placement ability of graduating students
- Improve the role and affinity of EC Higher education within the world
- Assist in development of human sources
- Assist in increasing of understanding between nations and cultures in EU and partner countries.

Tempus finances three types of Actions:

- Joint Projects based on multilateral partnerships between higher education institutions in the EU and the Partner Countries aimed at exchanging knowledge between EU universities and institutions in the Partner Countries. Joint Projects are implemented at institutional level. They aim to help develop curricula, enhance university governance and address issues relevant for Higher education and society. Joint Projects may include small scale mobility activities of short duration for students, academic staff, researchers, university administrators and companies.

- Structural Measures seek to contribute to the development and reform of education institutions and systems at national level in the Partner Countries. They can address issues linked to the reform of governance structures and systems (qualification systems, quality assurance, etc.) or enhancing the links between higher education and society. Structural Measures can include studies and research, conferences and seminars, training courses, policy advice and dissemination of information.

- Accompanying Measures comprise of dissemination and information activities, such as thematic conferences, studies and activities aiming at the identification and exploitation of good practice, stakeholder consultations, etc. Joint Projects and Structural Measures are implemented through regular Calls for Proposals, while Accompanying Measures are launched through Calls for Tender or Framework Contracts.

For more information please click here: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/programme/about_tempus_ru.php