In the first quarter of 2024, four universities joined the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies: The Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (Italy), Ege University (Türkiye), the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia) and Antalya Bilim University (Türkiye).

A general framework agreement for collaboration between the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) and each of these universities was signed by Mr Stefano DOMINIONI, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) and Director of the IEIC, and the representatives of each university.

The Department of Tourism Management at Antalya Bilim University, which is located in the heart of Türkiye's cultural capital, has relevant expertise in research into Cultural Routes and is developing a number of academic activities on this subject. Since 2022, the department has been offering an elective course to its undergraduate students, created in cooperation with the Society of Cultural Routes in Turkey.

The Department of Economics and Tourism at Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (UNIPU) in Croatia has an interdisciplinary Culture and Tourism studies programme. Cultural Routes have been the subject of several academic activities, including a master's dissertation, conferences, scientific publications, and cooperation in the creation of new routes.

The Department of Heritage, Architecture and Urban Planning at the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (UNIRC) in Italy is particularly involved in research on cultural routes. Through the UNESCO Med Lab, the university seeks to develop research into cultural and natural heritage, both tangible and intangible. The UNESCO Med Lab includes a branch dedicated to the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes programme. Within this framework, new cultural routes are developed, scientific conferences are organized, affiliated research is published, and new courses are created.

The Çeşme Tourism Faculty of Ege University in Türkiye has developed several academic activities on cultural routes, such as a conference on cultural routes, illustrated by the case of the Phrygian Cultural Route, a graduate course based on the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes Brochures, and 3 master's dissertations on the topic.

The University Network for Cultural Routes Studies is a network of Universities interested in the study of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The Network aims to encourage the conduct of research on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe related issues, encourage students to undertake their academic research on Cultural Routes, jointly apply for European Grants with the EICR, participate in the annual programme of activities of the EICR and offer scientific advice where required.