Go Abroad for Staff
Go Abroad for Staff provides support and funding for academic and professional services staff to go abroad on short, normally week-long, teaching or training visits as part of their professional development.
A Go Abroad for Staff activity is a great way to pick up new ideas and practices, develop skills in your field, and to build and develop international relationships.

The knowledge and experience gained can help your own personal and professional development. It can also benefit your wider team and the University through sharing of best practice, intercultural understanding and development of networks.
Visits to European institutions must last a minimum of 2 working days (not including travel). For non-European institutions, visits must last 5 working days. Your activity must include a minimum of 8 hours of teaching or training activity per week.
Participants must be currently employed by the University of Edinburgh.
Funding is currently provided within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme with the support of the European Commission.
Find out more about how it works on the following pages:
Risk assessment and travel insurance
The University's most recent guidance is that travel on university business may progress, subject to full risk assessment/approval processes.
See University's business travel guidance for full details
Travel will only be possible where all of the following conditions have been met:
- FCDO guidance allows non-essential travel to a country
- the applicant's Head of School approves the activity
- the proposed host institution is available and willing to offer an opportunity
- the applicant has completed and had approved, a COVID-specific risk assessment and insurance application
Applicants are responsible for monitoring FCDO guidance throughout the application process and pre-departure.
See FCDO Travel Abroad webpages
Considerations before application
Particular consideration should be given to the following before submitting an application:
- What are the requirements for entry to the destination country and can you ensure compliance?
- What are the destination country's requirements for Covid testing?
- Are there quarantine requirements in the destination country?
Applicants should note that there is no additional funding available to cover quarantine periods, nor to support subsistence during any quarantine time needed in-country.
These factors may make travel to some destinations difficult or impossible to accommodate at this time.
Funding for Covid-testing
As COVID testing has become a pre-requisite for most physical mobility abroad, the costs related to such tests are now eligible for funding. Please retain all invoices for testing costs, in case of future audit.
Eligibility and application
Funding available
How the programme works
Benefits of going abroad
Practical arrangements
Reflect on and share your experience
Staff testimonials
Sustainability
Find out more
Sign up to our mailing list to receive Go Abroad for Staff updates and application information:
Go Abroad - Staff Registration Form
Read our feature
Find out more about University of Edinburgh staff who have participated:
Edinburgh Global | Go Abroad - Staff Feature