This initiative will create a National Centre for Excellence (EXCELLNZ), extending cooperation to all 8 universities in New Zealand. EXCELLNZ will give greater visibility to the study of EU studies at national level and be administered by the National Centre for Research on Europe which has an established history of managing international and national networks and EU projects. This proposal is defined by three key themes : encouraging engagement of civil society with the EU; nurturing early career researchers to build sustainability for European Union Studies; and teaching the EU outside Europe –including introducing Australasia’s first taught Master of Arts in EU Studies. The main objectives are to:• Build capacity in the next generation of scholars on EU integration through providing a cohesive teaching programme at secondary school, undergraduate and postgraduate levels• Develop best teaching practise in relation to “Teaching the EU Outside Europe”• Nurture a community of researchers by building collaboration through research networks• Promote civil society engagement with issues surrounding EU Asia-Pacific relations• Mentor early career researchers to build sustainability for EU studies as an academic discipline• Introduce Australasia’s first taught Master of Arts in EU Studies EXCELLNZ will promote civil society engagement with the EU and European issues with activities designed specifically for civil society actors to gain positive exposure to the EU, as well as using feedback from these activities to develop a more effective strategy to continue engaging with civil society on EU issues. Sustainability for EU Studies is seen as an important priority for EXCELLNZ In response to this priority, one of the key themes of this proposal is the continued development for early career researchers in the field of EU studies.