Eligibility and application

Europe

We have limited Erasmus+ funding to support training or teaching activities in any of the following countries until 31 May 2023.  Applicants may contact European partners or programme organisers directly to enquire about teaching or training opportunities.

Visits to Europe may last between 5 days to 2 months, though most staff usually spend around 1 week abroad. 

​​​​​​Outside Europe

We now have Erasmus+ ICM funding available to support training or teaching visits only to the partner institutions listed below, for visits taking place before 31 July  2023. 

Visits to our non-European partners last for 1 week, with no flexibility to extend or reduce this period.   

Please note that places at these institutions are limited and may be competitive.  Staff interested in applying to undertake a teaching or training opportunity at one of the following institutions should, therefore, not contact the partner directly until their application has been approved and funding confirmed.  

Due to Covid travel restrictions, travel will only be possible where FCDO guidance allows non-essential travel to a country.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor FCDO guidance throughout the application process and pre-departure. 

Applicants should note that Covid-testing and quarantine requirements may make visits to some destinations difficult or impossible to accommodate.

See FCDO Travel Abroad webpages

Academic staff can apply for funding to support short teaching visits abroad to partner institutions.  Teaching activity may take the form of lectures, seminars, one-to-ones, PhD supervision, etc.  It can be at any level and could include teaching a summer programme. 

It's also possible to combine a teaching and training week, with a reduced teaching load of 4 hours per week - this could enable academic staff to gain some teaching experience as well as attending a workshop or training course or participating in a collaborative activity, research or similar.

You can apply for funding to support a teaching visit to any non-UK European university with which we have a valid Erasmus+ bilateral agreement or to one of our partners outside Europe.  

Prior to departure, the home and host HEI or host organisation must formally agree the teaching programme, using the Staff Mobility Agreement. This can be completed electronically. Any amendments must also be agreed in writing and retained.

There must be documentary evidence of the duration of the mobility period signed by the host organisation. At the end of a teaching period abroad the host HEI must confirm the activity undertaken along with the start and end dates.

Erasmus+ training periods support the professional development of HEI teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the development of involved institutions from programme or partner country HEIs.

Academic and professional services staff can apply for funding to support short training visits abroad to partner institutions to support their professional development.  Visits normally last one week and funds can support a range of professional development activities. 

Any member of staff (academic or non-academic) with a current contract of employment with the University of Edinburgh may apply for this funding.

What kind of training can I do?

Funding can be used to support a variety of professional development activities.  These could include:

• Job shadowing or observation periods
• Attendance on workshops, courses or specific competence-building events
• Participation in a European staff training week

Training programmes should be built around personal and professional development, and may include knowledge transfer, sharing good practice, learning from shared experience, acquiring practical skills or discovering new ideas for learning and teaching.  

The training period may be in another HEI or any other appropriate organisation.

Prior to departure, the full training programme must be agreed formally by the home and host HEI or enterprise, by exchange of letters or electronically.

Applicants should note that conferences cannot be funded through this programme.

Staff training weeks in Europe

Many HEIs in Europe offer staff training weeks which offer a fixed training programme and provide an opportunity to meet with colleagues from many other universities in related fields at the same time.  

Staff weeks may include a combination of presentations, workshops, networking activities and cultural activities. They may be themed to attract participants from the same area of work. They can be a good introduction to your host institution and country and, as there are usually participants from many institutions and countries, can be a good networking opportunity. 

Please note that some training weeks have an attached cost and the Erasmus+ grant does not cover course or registration fees charged by the host institution. The Erasmus+ subsistence grant may be used towards such costs.  Alternatively, applicants may wish to discuss with their line managers whether any departmental funds are available to support staff training or professional development activities.  Where neither option will cover costs, then the cost of the course would fall to the participant.

The European Commission have created a website detailing the staff training opportunities, such as International Weeks:

Find International Staff Training weeks in Europe

Many HEIs in Europe offer staff training weeks which offer a fixed training programme and provide an opportunity to meet with colleagues from many other universities in related fields at the same time.  

Staff weeks may include a combination of presentations, workshops, networking activities and cultural activities. They may be themed to attract participants from the same area of work. They can be a good introduction to your host institution and country and, as there are usually participants from many institutions and countries, can be a good networking opportunity. 

Please note that some training weeks have an attached cost and the Erasmus+ grant does not cover course or registration fees charged by the host institution. The Erasmus+ subsistence grant may be used towards such costs.  Alternatively, applicants may wish to discuss with their line managers whether any departmental funds are available to support staff training or professional development activities.  Where neither option will cover costs, then the cost of the course would fall to the participant.

The European Commission have created a website detailing the staff training opportunities, such as International Weeks:

• Find International Staff Training weeks in Europe

It's up to you to identify and secure your own teaching or training opportunity.  Here are some of the ways you could investigate your options:

• Check the websites of our existing Erasmus+ and ICM partner institutions to see what staff mobility opportunities they offer.
• Speak to colleagues and contacts at UofE and elsewhere.  Find out which institutions are good at what you want to learn.
• Find a Staff Training week in Europe
• Visit the Teaching Matters blog to find out what others have done.

All applications will be considered subject to availability of funding.  

Where funds/available places are limited, priority will be given to:

• staff undertaking a teaching/training visit for the first time
• staff from Schools and departments which have not previously received funding for an Erasmus+ teaching/training visit

Other factors which will be considered:

• the strength of the business case
• the relevance of this visit to the staff member’s role
• the potential impact of the visit upon the individual, the School/Service and the UoE as a whole
• the staff member’s access to other travel opportunities

A Go Abroad for Staff activity is a great way to pick up new ideas and practices and to build and develop relationships. It may help you develop skills in your field, increase your intercultural understanding, and help to create international networks.

The knowledge gained from your experience can be shared with colleagues and can be key to motivating students to study or work abroad.  

You might find it helpful to consider the potential benefits to you individually:

• Networking opportunities, exchange of expertise and experience
• Learn and share new ideas/practices/teaching methods 
• Find answers to questions and solutions to problems
• Gain access to useful resources

as well as to your team and to the wider University:

• Suggest new or improved processes and techniques that will increase team productivity/efficiency improvements/cost savings
• Share helpful resources, knowledge and experience with team members
• Introduce team members to useful contacts
• Partnership or collaboration with other institutions 
• Champion international experiences for students in your School