The Europaeum was founded in 1992 as an association of European universities. Over time, its activities have expanded to encompass teaching, research, scholarships and grants, conferences and publishing. The Europaeum maintains a strong focus by adhering to guiding principles.

The Europaeum Mission is as follows:

• Promote excellence in academic links in research and teaching collaboration between the Europaeum partners;
• Act as an open academic network linking the Europaeum partners and other bodies in the pursuit of study;
• Serve as a resource for the general support and promotion of European studies;
• Function independently in the search for new ideas;
• Provide opportunities for the joint pursuit of new pan-European initiatives;



• Serve as a high level 'think-tank' exploring new ideas and new roles for universities in the new Learning Age;
• Provide a 'pool of talent' to carry out research and inquiry into problems and questions confronting Europe today and tomorrow;
• Help train and educate future leaders for a new Europe.

Europaeum programmes include research projects, annual conferences and student summer schools, lectures, joint teaching programmes, public debates, staff mobility schemes, linked scholarship schemes, and a developing knowledge platform.