EMBRACE
Enhancing Mental Balance & a Resilient Academic Community Ecosystem
EMBRACE is an Erasmus+ KA2 Cooperation Partnership bringing together 9 partners from across the EUniWell European Universities Alliance to support the mental health and well-being of every member of the academic community – from learners to teachers, from researchers to administrative staff – with a special focus on the needs of refugee, migrant and international students.
The project runs from 2025 to 2028 and is coordinated by Nantes Université.
About the project
EMBRACE takes a whole-community approach, recognising that mental health challenges affect every part of the academic community, not just students. It produces open educational resources, policy recommendations, training programmes, and collaborative frameworks that any higher education institution can adopt.
Three focus areas, one shared mission
EMBRACE is structured around three distinct focus areas. For each focus area, a specific university leads an international working group to gather knowledge and co-create tools that will contribute to improving mental health across all university communities:
- Campus-wide mental health literacy – Led by the University of Cologne
For students, academics, and administrative staff - Mental health and well-being of PhD students/candidates & early-career researchers – Led by the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
For PhD students/candidates and early-career researchers, as well as the academic staff who support them - Inclusive support for refugee, migrant and international (RaMI) students – Led by the University of Florence
For refugee, migrant, and international students, as well as the academic staff who support them
Activities
EMBRACE develops tools, teaching and training resources tailored to different groups within the university community. Explore the specific activities of each focus area below:
Focus area 1 – Enhancing Mental Health Awareness & Practices Across our Universities
Led by the University of Cologne.
For the university community as a whole – students, academics, and administrative staff.
Developing a common reference framework for "Mental Health" & "Well-being"
A two-day symposium in Cologne followed by online workshops to establish shared, evidence-based definitions of mental health and well-being across the EUniWell Alliance – laying the groundwork for all future initiatives.
Led by University of Cologne · 2026–2027 · Shared definitions
Mental health weeks: a replicable European model
Co-creation of a practical toolkit and shared guidelines for organising impactful Mental Health Weeks. Hosted at Konstanz (2026), Cologne (2027), and Nantes (2028), each with a European staff week open to all partner universities.
Led by University of Konstanz · 2026–2028 · Staff week / event
10-episode podcast series on mental health topics
Ten thematic podcast episodes co-produced across partner universities, covering topics from gender medicine and mental health to social media use, psychosexual well-being, and the student voice. Available on the EUniCast channel and EURADIO.
Coordinated by Nantes Université · 2026–2028 · Podcast series
Study on help-seeking behaviours among university students
A cross-institutional survey targeting 12,000+ students across 6 EUniWell universities to identify psychological and structural barriers to seeking mental health support. Findings will inform policy recommendations and service improvement.
Led by University of Cologne · Spring 2026–Autumn 2027 · Research study
Training module for academic staff: teacher well-being & student support
A 3 ECTS online micro-credential for academics in 3 blocks: managing your own well-being, supporting vulnerable students, and inclusive pedagogies. Issued as an open badge via EUROPASS. Aims to reach 30–50 participants per cohort.
Led by University of Murcia · 2026–2028 · Teaching module
Module for students: academic success & student well-being
An adapted 3 ECTS hybrid module grounded in the PERMA well-being model, giving students evidence-based tools to strengthen their academic journey and personal fulfilment. Available as an Open Educational Resource in the EUniWell course catalogue.
Led by Nantes Université · 2026–2028 · Teaching module
Exchange of best practices on psychological consultation centres
Sharing models for university psychological counselling services, developing cross-border referral protocols, and establishing a Collaborative Working Group of mental health professionals, counsellors, and student support staff across EUniWell institutions.
Led by University of Murcia · 2026–2028 · Professional network
Focus area 2 – Supporting the Mental Health & Well-being of PhD Students/Candidates & Early-Career Researchers
Led by the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
For those pursuing PhD or early-career research.
Risk & protective factors for PhD students/candidates
An open educational resource (OER) module helping PhD students/candidates identify risk factors like burnout, impostor syndrome, and financial insecurity, and strengthen protective ones like peer networks and time management. Delivered via video lectures, case studies, and gamified activities. Integrated into the EUniWell Training Academy.
Led by Santiago de Compostela · 2026–2028 · OER Teaching module
Resilience & well-being workshops for early-career researchers
Practical workshops designed specifically for early-career researchers, focusing on managing inner self-critical voices that undermine motivation, building resilience against stress and burnout, improving work-life balance, and fostering social support networks. Delivered online across all EUniWell institutions.
Led by University of Konstanz · Second half 2026–2028 · Workshop series
Alliance-wide structured mentoring programme for PhD students/candidates
A structured programme pairing PhD students/candidates with trained academic and professional mentors across EUniWell universities. Includes virtual mentor training and in-person workshops at Santiago de Compostela and Nantes. Embedded in the Well-Being Centre for Post-Graduate Students for long-term continuity.
Led by Santiago de Compostela · 2026–2028 · Mentoring programme
Focus area 3 – Supporting the Mental Health & Well-being of Refugee, Migrant & International Students
Led by the University of Florence.
For refugee, migrant and international students.
3 ECTS inclusive module on the well-being of refugee, migrant and international (RaMI) students
A multidisciplinary 3 ECTS Open Educational Resource integrating perspectives from social geography, psychology, and postcolonial studies. It addresses mental health literacy, resilience, university service access, and community-building for refugee and migrant students, and helps the wider student community become more inclusive. Accessible to all with internet access.
Led by University of Florence · Jan 2026–Feb 2027 · OER Teaching module
3 student-led validation workshops across Europe
Three on-site workshops gathering ~15 RaMI and non-RaMI students in Konstanz, Kyiv, and Santiago de Compostela to test and refine the module for clarity, inclusiveness, and pedagogical effectiveness. Each workshop includes a half-day internal session with module designers and the EUniWell Refugee Support Working Group.
Led by University of Florence · 2027–early 2028 · Validation workshops
Staff training programme at Linnaeus University
A four-day residential training programme at Linnaeus University (Sweden) for faculty, student services staff, and advisors. Participants explore the RaMI module in depth, discuss policy applications, and co-develop recommendations for replicating inclusive practices across all EUniWell universities and beyond.
Led by Linnaeus University · Spring 2028 · Staff training week
Partner universities
EMBRACE brings together 9 institutions from across the EUniWell Alliance, combining diverse academic traditions and expertise in mental health, pedagogy, and student support.
Get involved
Whether you are a student, researcher, or university professional: EMBRACE resources are designed to be open, accessible, and useful to you.
Explore resources: EUniWell course catalogue
Contact the EMBRACE team: sandie.mesnil[at]univ-nantes.fr
EMBRACE · Erasmus+ KA2 Cooperation Partnership · Coordinated by Nantes Université within the EUniWell European University Alliance · 2025–2028
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
