Since the inaguration of the European Union Centre in Taiwan at the end of 2008, led by National Taiwan University and in collaboration with six other universities, Taiwan has gradually become an important partner in the regional EU research network. In 2021, amid fierce competition from over 3,000 universities and higher research institutions worldwide, the Centre was once again awarded the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and the Jean Monnet Module. The Centre has recently signed an agreement with the European Union, with the related projects set to continue until 2025.

The Jean Monnet Programme, named after Jean Monnet, the father of European integration, is an EU initiative aimed at supporting the development of European and EU teaching, research, and exchange cooperation globally.  The program aims to create associated awards, research centers, and avenues for international collaboration at top universities around the world. It is available for universities and research institutions worldwide to apply and participate in competitive evaluation and ranking processes.  In recent years, the selection criteria have become more stringent, leading to institutions emerging as winners from fierce global competition. The recent acknowledgment of the Centre as both a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and a Jean Monnet Module recipient making it the institution in Taiwan with the highest number of awards in this program.

The Jean Monnet Programme is managed under the "New Erasmus Programme" by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the EU.  Given Taiwan's strong foundation in higher education and its extensive research capabilities,the EU has repeatedly held information sessions in Taiwan to promote closer cooperation in research and education between the EU and Taiwan and to deepen the exchange of talent between both sides.