The Tempus Programme

A Higher Education cooperation scheme between EU Member States and Partner Countries

The first phase of the Tempus programme was established in 1990 to respond to the needs for higher education reform in Central and Eastern European countries, following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 (‘Tempus I’, 1990- 1993). Since then, the programme has been renewed four times (Tempus II, Tempus II-bis and Tempus III - 2000- 2006, and then Tempus IV in the period 2007- 2013). Today more than ever there is a need for cooperation between countries in the field of education and a parallel need to enhance understanding between cultures. As the Tempus III decision (of 29 / 04 / 99) states: “cooperation on higher education strengthens and deepens the whole fabric of relations existing between the peoples of Europe, brings out common cultural values, allows fruitful exchanges of views to take place and facilitates multinational activities in the scientific, cultural, artistic, economic and social spheres”.

The Tempus III programme encouraged institutions in the EU Member States and the partner countries to engage in structured cooperation through the establishment of “consortia”. The “consortia” implement Joint European Projects (JEPs) or Structural and Complementary Measures (SCMs) with a clear set of objectives. Such projects may receive financial aid for one to three years. Tempus III also provided Individual Mobility Grants (IMGs) to individuals working in higher education institutions to help them work on certain specified activities in other countries.

In June 2002, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a decision to extend the programme to the EU’s Mediterranean partners: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and Tunisia.

If you would like to find out more about Tempus, you may visit the website of the National Tempus Office - Jordan (www.tempus.org.jo) or the website:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/progremmes/tempus/index_en.html