League of European Research Universities LERU

Overview

The League of European Research Universities (LERU) is a prestigious European network of research-intensive universities founded in 2002. Headquartered and legally registered in Leuven, Belgium, LERU brings together some of the most distinguished, multi-disciplinary institutions committed to excellence in both research and higher education. According to uniRank, LERU comprises 24 leading European universities across 12 countries, sharing the guiding principles of high-quality teaching, an international research environment and policy engagement. KU Leuven, based in Belgium, is the network’s founding and host institution and its home provides a permanent secretariat and central governance hub.

History and Legal Framework

Originally formed as a concerted alliance of 12 European universities in Leiden, the League expanded over the years through formal invitations to reach its current membership of 24 institutions by 2024. The network is registered as a non-profit association under Belgian law. Its legal foundation ensures autonomy from individual member governments and secures continuity as the Leuven-based LERU Office—the permanent secretariat—manages day-to-day operations from KU Leuven. All membership decisions are made collectively by the Rectors’ Assembly, in accordance with statutory rules established within the Belgian association framework.

Mission, Vision and Objectives Role in Higher Education

LERU’s mission is to:

• Advocate for the central role of high-quality, basic research in European universities;
• Support transformative learning through research-led teaching;
• Provide evidence-based policy recommendations to European institutions;
• Encourage the exchange of best practices across member universities in areas like doctoral education, open science, research integrity, diversity and innovation.

Its vision emphasizes excellence, autonomy and societal impact, positioning LERU as an influential force in shaping future European higher education strategy.

Governance, Structure and Independence

At its core, LERU is governed by the Rectors’ Assembly, a semi-annual meeting of heads of member institutions. The Assembly elects a five-member Board of Directors, including a Chair who rotates among members. A Belgian-based Secretariat known as the LERU Office, headed by a Secretary‑General, administers ongoing activities. This structural arrangement ensures collective leadership while safeguarding organizational independence: Belgium hosts the administrative base but plays no special policymaking role beyond membership participation.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

LERU neither accredits institutions nor issues degrees. Instead, it influences evaluation frameworks through policy leadership, transparency and advocacy. LERU publications on research integrity, open science and multidimensional researcher assessment (aligned with DORA and the Leiden Manifesto) serve as international benchmarks. It helps shape how universities measure quality—balancing traditional research output with broader societal and educational outcomes.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

LERU maintains strategic alliances with global and European research networks including CE7 (Central European universities), GCRIUN (Global research-intensive university networks) and The Guild. KU Leuven, as host, also participates in networks such as Una Europa, Universitas 21 and the Coimbra Group. Through shared communities and policy groups, LERU enables joint doctoral summer schools, exchange programs (e.g. LERU Law) and collaborative research across borders—reinforcing its role in the wider ecosystem of university cooperation.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

LERU continues to shape forthcoming research and education environments in Europe, with key interventions in:

• Horizon Europe simplification; future EU Framework Programme (FP10); advocacy for increased investment in fundamental research;
• Open Science, particularly the institutional roadmap for cultural change;
• Research security and responsible innovation (through forums and seminars hosted in Leuven and other LERU hubs);
• Policy-papers on doctoral training, teaching quality, equality and diversity;
• Driving peer networks for institutional leaders—impacting both public opinion and government decision-making.

Given that KU Leuven secured more Horizon Europe grants than any other university at the mid‑point of the programme, LERU’s ambitious policy ecosystem continues to strengthen Belgium’s national research impact.

Summary

In summary, the League of European Research Universities is a Belgium-based alliance of elite European universities dedicated to advancing research-driven education, influencing policy and nurturing best‑practice networks. Governed by institutional leadership yet operationally independent, LERU plays a central role in shaping Europe’s academic agenda. Its long-term impact extends through research funding, quality evaluation, open science and international collaboration.

FAQs

1. What does LERU stand for and where is it based?
   LERU stands for the League of European Research Universities. It is headquartered and legally registered in Leuven, Belgium, where its permanent office is hosted by KU Leuven.
2. Who are the Belgian members of LERU?
   The only current Belgian member is KU Leuven, one of the founding institutions of LERU and host of its Secretariat.
3. Does LERU provide accreditation?
   No—LERU is not an accreditation body. It influences quality evaluation through policy papers and best-practice models, but accreditation remains the responsibility of national agencies.
4. How many universities are members of LERU?
   According to uniRank, LERU consists of 24 leading research-intensive universities from 12 European countries, as of 2025.
5. How is LERU governed?
   Governance is via the Rectors’ Assembly, which meets twice a year; a five‑member Board of Directors; and a Belgian‑based secretariat headed by a Secretary General.
6. Can students participate in LERU initiatives?
   While not open to individuals, many member universities participate in doctoral summer schools and mobility programmes (e.g. LERU‑Law Exchange) that are open to graduate researchers and faculty.
7. What is LERU’s main focus today?
   Its ongoing agenda includes shaping European research policy (especially post‑Horizon), promoting open science and integrity, enhancing doctoral training and strengthening its role as a European academic thought leader.

Organization Name

League of European Research Universities

Acronym

LERU

Year of Establishment

1/01/2002

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

23

Address

Schapenstraat 34
Leuven
3000 Vlaams-Brabant Belgium

Phone

+32 (16) 329 971

Fax

+32 (16) 329 968

Belgium

• KU Leuven

Denmark

• University of Copenhagen

Finland

• University of Helsinki

France

• Université Paris-Saclay
• Sorbonne University
• University of Strasbourg

Germany

• University of Freiburg
• Universität Heidelberg
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Ireland

• Trinity College Dublin

Italy

• University of Milan

Netherlands

• University of Amsterdam
• Universiteit Leiden
• Utrecht University

Spain

• Universitat de Barcelona

Sweden

• Lund University

Switzerland

• ETH Zurich
• Université de Genève
• University of Zurich

United Kingdom

• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• University of Oxford

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Wikipedia Article

League of European Research Universities's Wikipedia article

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