Preserving the Legacy of Academic Consortium 21
The Academic Consortium 21 (AC21) was a global network of universities dedicated to fostering international academic cooperation, student mobility, and collaborative research. Founded in 2002 and coordinated by Nagoya University, AC21 brought together institutions from across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania for over two decades of meaningful exchange.
Following the conclusion of the consortium's active programming after its 11th International Forum in December 2022, this project serves as an independent editorial resource preserving the legacy of AC21 and exploring the broader themes of international academic cooperation, research funding, and student mobility that defined its mission.
Explore Our Resources
University Networks Worldwide
A comprehensive overview of international university consortia — from AC21 to Universitas 21, LERU, and beyond. How universities collaborate across borders.
Explore networks →Research Funding Opportunities
Guide to international research funding programs, special project funds, and grant opportunities for academic researchers and institutions.
View funding guide →Student Mobility Programs
International student exchange, world forums, and graduate school programs that connect students across continents and disciplines.
Explore programs →Academic Conferences & Forums
International forums, symposia, and academic events that bring together researchers and scholars from member universities worldwide.
View forums →From the Blog
Building Effective University Partnerships Across Borders
What makes cross-border university partnerships actually work — shared objectives, governance and continuity, illustrated with AC21 and the Freiburg-Nagoya partnership.
Read more →How Research Funding Shapes International Collaboration
Why small, fast seed grants often do more to build lasting research partnerships than large national funding schemes.
Read more →Student Mobility in a Post-Pandemic World
Why short, structured exchange programmes recovered faster after 2020 than the traditional semester abroad.
Read more →About This Project
This website is an independent editorial initiative — it is not affiliated with Nagoya University or any former AC21 member institution. Our goal is to document and build upon the themes of international academic cooperation that AC21 championed for over 20 years.
We cover topics including cross-border university partnerships, research collaboration frameworks, academic mobility trends, and the evolving landscape of global higher education.
For inquiries, please visit our contact page.