The EuroLeague of Life Sciences Universities (ELLS) was awarded with the status of a European University Alliance. The European Commission has decided to award the alliance funding of approximately € 7.2 M in the next two years under the European Universities Initiative. For ELLS, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this marks the beginning of a new chapter. The decision will provide students, researchers and staff with increased opportunities to study, work and collaborate with all the member universities across Europe. 

Climate instability, geopolitical tensions, and fragile food sovereignty: Europe faces existential challenges. ELLS builds on a long-standing collaboration within the EuroLeague of Life Sciences Universities, where European universities with strong expertise in life sciences, sustainable food systems, agriculture, forestry, environment and natural resources have worked together for 25 years. 

“As we shape the future of ELLS, our mission remains clear: to provide excellent learning conditions for tomorrow’s changemakers”, said Maria Knutson Wedel, Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) who leads for the EUI proposal. “We join forces for our students to gain power to transform agri-food systems, strengthen food security, foster resilient rural communities, and protect and regenerate our natural environment for the generations to come.” 

“Since 2001, ELLS has evolved from a network into an alliance”, said Christoph Schneider, President of the University of Hohenheim and current ELLS Chair. “It has created opportunities, advanced collaboration, and strengthened excellence across life sciences in Europe. These achievements are rooted in a shared spirit of openness, and a willingness to learn from one another. As we look ahead, this spirit will continue to guide our joint efforts to address the future challenges and opportunities of the European life sciences.” 

New opportunities for teaching and research 

European Universities is the EU’s initiative to support long-term alliances between higher education institutions across Europe. The aim is to strengthen the European Education Area through increased mobility, joint programs, innovative learning environments and deeper cooperation between universities. 

For students at 11 member universities, membership will offer more opportunities to study at the member universities, participate in joint courses and build international networks. For researchers, lecturers and other staff, it creates new opportunities for professional development, exchange of experience and collaboration in education, research and innovation.  

ELLS brings together 11 member universities, 10 joint master's programs, 15 summer schools each year, and a Scientific Student Conference that has drawn more than 300 participants annually since 2009. The alliance includes universities from Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Poland and Austria. 

Facts: European Universities 

The European Universities Initiative is a flagship program of the European Union for higher education. Through long-term alliances between universities, students, teachers, researchers and other staff are enabled to collaborate more closely and move more freely across European institutions. The aim is to enhance the quality of education and research, while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and supporting sustainable development.