Apply for Conference Interpreter Training Programmes

Deadline: 07-May-2026

The European Commission is inviting applications for its Conference Interpreter Training Programmes to support high-quality bachelor’s, postgraduate, or master’s-level conference interpreter training courses in selected priority languages. The programme aims to strengthen the availability of qualified conference interpreters with Ukrainian, Montenegrin, or Albanian as their “A” language, with a total funding allocation of €150,000.

What is the Conference Interpreter Training Programmes?

The European Commission Conference Interpreter Training Programmes support institutions that organise and strengthen conference interpreter training courses.

The initiative is designed to help ensure a pipeline of qualified professional conference interpreters in selected priority languages while improving the quality, cooperation, and innovation of interpreter education.

The programme provides both professional and financial support to strengthen training systems and promote excellence in conference interpreting.

Funding Details

Total Funding Available

• Total budget: €150,000

The call supports eligible institutions and organisations delivering or coordinating interpreter training aligned with the programme objectives.

Priority Languages

The programme specifically supports training for interpreters whose “A” language (native or main active language) is one of the following:

• Ukrainian
• Montenegrin
• Albanian

Objectives of the Programme

The programme aims to:

• Ensure the availability of qualified conference interpreters in priority languages
• Strengthen existing interpreter training programmes through:
  • Professional support
  • Financial support
• Promote linguistic diversity in conference interpretation teaching
• Establish postgraduate centres of excellence and support research
• Encourage cooperation among postgraduate courses across countries
• Promote regional collaboration among universities
• Integrate modern information and communication technologies (ICT) into interpreter training

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Applicants

The opportunity is open to:

• Higher education institutions
• Universities
• University institutes
• Consortia
• Associations

Applicants must offer or coordinate relevant conference interpreter training courses in:

• Ukraine
• Montenegro
• Albania

It also includes:

• Organisations whose mission is to support:
  • Cooperation in conference interpreter training
  • Sharing of best practices in conference interpreter education

Institutional Requirements

Teaching establishments must:

• Be recognised by national authorities
• Be authorised to provide:
  • Public education, or
  • Private education
• Deliver education at:
  • Master’s level, or
  • Postgraduate level

Although the programme mentions bachelor-level support in scope, the institutional recognition requirement specifically emphasizes authorised provision at master’s or postgraduate level for teaching establishments.

Geographic and Legal Eligibility

Applicants must be legally established in one of the following:

• EU Member States
• EFTA countries
• EU candidate countries

In addition, applicants must ensure that:

• No involved entity is subject to EU restrictive measures

Exclusion and Compliance Conditions

Applicants must not be in any of the following situations:

• Bankruptcy
• Insolvency
• Suspension of business activities
• Similar legal or financial distress conditions

They must also:

• Be compliant with tax obligations
• Be compliant with social security contribution obligations

Applicants must not have been found guilty of:

• Professional misconduct
• Fraud
• Anti-competitive behaviour
• Violations of intellectual property rights

What Makes a Strong Application?

A strong proposal should clearly demonstrate:

• Relevance to conference interpreter training
• Direct support for Ukrainian, Montenegrin, or Albanian as an “A” language
• Institutional legitimacy and national recognition
• Capacity to deliver high-quality interpreter education
• Potential to improve training quality and professional standards
• Cross-border or regional cooperation potential
• Use of modern ICT tools in interpreter training
• Alignment with linguistic diversity and capacity-building goals

How to Apply

Application Tips

1. Confirm institutional eligibility
   Ensure your institution or organisation is legally established in an eligible country and fits the applicant profile.
2. Check course recognition
   Teaching institutions should verify that their programmes are officially recognised by national authorities.
3. Align with priority languages
   Make it clear how your programme supports interpreters with:
   • Ukrainian
   • Montenegrin
   • Albanian
     as their “A” language.
4. Demonstrate training quality
   Highlight curriculum strength, faculty expertise, and interpreting pedagogy.
5. Show cooperation potential
   Emphasize partnerships, regional collaboration, and knowledge-sharing with other institutions.
6. Include innovation in delivery
   Explain how ICT and modern tools are integrated into training.
7. Ensure compliance readiness
   Be prepared to demonstrate legal, financial, and ethical compliance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Applying without clear relevance to conference interpreter training
• Failing to show support for one of the priority languages
• Submitting from an institution not officially recognised by national authorities
• Ignoring the requirement for legal establishment in eligible countries
• Overlooking exclusion conditions related to:
  • Insolvency
  • Tax/social security non-compliance
  • Professional misconduct
• Not explaining how the programme contributes to quality, cooperation, or innovation

FAQ

1. What is the European Commission Conference Interpreter Training Programmes?

It is a funding opportunity supporting high-quality conference interpreter training courses at bachelor’s, postgraduate, or master’s level, especially in selected priority languages.

2. What is the total funding available?

The total available budget for this call is €150,000.

3. Which languages are prioritised?

The programme prioritises interpreters whose “A” language is:

• Ukrainian
• Montenegrin
• Albanian

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Higher education institutions
• Universities
• University institutes
• Consortia
• Associations
• Relevant organisations supporting cooperation and best practices in interpreter training

5. Which countries are specifically targeted for course delivery?

Relevant courses should be offered or coordinated in:

• Ukraine
• Montenegro
• Albania

6. What legal conditions apply?

Applicants must be legally established in:

• EU Member States
• EFTA countries
• EU candidate countries

They must also not be subject to EU restrictive measures and must meet legal, tax, and ethical compliance requirements.

7. Can organisations other than universities apply?

Yes. Consortia, associations, and organisations that support cooperation and best practices in conference interpreter training may also be eligible if aligned with the programme’s objectives.

Conclusion

The European Commission Conference Interpreter Training Programmes 2026 provide an important opportunity for universities and relevant organisations to strengthen the future of conference interpreting in key priority languages.

For more information, visit European Commission.