Erasmus language trips for teaching staff and early career researchers
By means of an Erasmus language trip, university teachers and early career researchers are able to apply for funding for English courses in other European countries. English courses that are eligible for funding ideally focus on the challenges of teaching in English and on developing presentation and teaching skills.
The objectives are to improve and develop teaching in English at Universität Hamburg and to increase diversity and interculturality.
Overview
| Target group: This comprises university teachers and early career researchers from Universität Hamburg who teach in English or plan to do so in the near future.
| Funding installments: Depending on destination country and distance, daily allowances are between €140 and €180, and travel allowances between €180 and €530.
| Funding period: Depending on the courses offered, this can range from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 10 days (including arrival and departure days)
| Application deadline: every November for the following year
Information on applying
Apply for Erasmus+ funding for your language trip via the Mobility Online database. Please enter only the UHH e-mail address (e.g.: xxx@uni-hamburg.de). The application can not be processed without the official UHH e-mail address.
The online application portal is open 1–30 November. Applications cannot be submitted at any other time.
1. Apply for an Erasmus language trip
- Apply online and register in the Mobility Online database.
- Complete your personal details.
- Upload application documents:
- letter of motivation
- CV (including information about foreign languages learned and current level of proficiency)
- language course offer and/or documentation on status of preparations (e.g., email from the language institute)
Your request for an Erasmus subsidy will then be reviewed and evaluated in a committee procedure.
Once this has been completed, you will receive an email informing you whether your application has been accepted or rejected.
2. Before the language trip—submitting a request
- Fill out your banking data and list your responsible internal revenue office.
- Upload completed Mobility Agreement signed by all parties required: participants, superiors, invitee, host university.
- Completion of the query on the top-ups green travel and real costs via Mobilty Online. If green travel applies to you, print out the sworn declaration in your workflow, sign it, and then upload the signed document again.
- Print out and send the original copy of the signed Grant Agreement (generated in the database).
- Submit the notification of work-related travel / Work-Related Travel Request Form (digital or original copy).
After the Erasmus University Coordinator has signed, the Grant Agreement and the notification of work-related travel / Work-Related Travel Request Form will be uploaded to your records. Once all of the documents have been saved in the database, the first installment totaling 80% will be paid.
3. After the language trip
- Upload the completed Confirmation of Stay for Staff Training form, which must also be signed by the language school.
- Send the EU survey (you will obtain the link to this after you complete your language course).
- Upload your report
- Complete the information about your mobility measures on Mobility Online to obtain your certificate of participation.
The second installment will be paid once you have entered all of your details and uploaded all of the documents to the database.
To participate in the selection procedure, you must submit a complete application by the application deadline. The following criteria are taken into account during selection:
- use of English in everyday teaching and daily work
- soundness and preparation of plan
- contribution of language trip to internationalization of teaching and to increasing diversity and interculturality at Universität Hamburg
- number of completed Erasmus language trips (priority for staff members who wish to complete an Erasmus language trip for the first time)
- funding for teaching staff from as many different areas as possible
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.
The selection committee meets approximately 2 weeks after the application deadline. Applicants are generally informed of selection decisions within 2 weeks of the meeting.
What do I need to consider when applying?
Your application should indicate to what extent you use your English in your everyday teaching and daily work. Briefly describe the current status and planning of English-language courses in your department. Make clear in which area you would like to further develop your language skills, and also indicate which local opportunities (e.g. University Language Center) you have already used.
Living costs
Living costs are calculated according to a daily rate that varies depending on the host country:
Host country | Daily rate |
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden | EUR 180 |
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain | EUR 160 |
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey | EUR 140 |
Travel allowance
The following travel allowance will be granted per stay (return travel) per participant depending on the distance:
Actual distance (one-way travel) as per Distance Calculator | Travel allowance (return travel) | Green Travel allowance (return travel) |
10–99 km | EUR 23 | - |
100–499 km | EUR 180 | EUR 210 |
500–1,999 km | EUR 275 | EUR 320 |
2,000–2,999 km | EUR 360 | EUR 410 |
3,000–3,999 km | EUR 530 | EUR 610 |
Use the Distance Calculator to determine the travel allowance. Enter your starting point and destination—the distance will then be calculated automatically.
Green Erasmus
If you undertake green travel, meaning you plan to use sustainable transportation (train, bus, car-share, bicycle, walking) for at least 50% of the journey, you can receive an increased travel allowance. If this takes more time, you can receive funding for up to an additional 4 days.
Program requirements
- Duration of stay: A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 working days at the language school; additionally, the daily allowance can be used to compensate for the arrival and departure days if these take place directly prior to or after the course.
- As a rule, Erasmus+ funding is only available for stays during which activities falling under the program take place.
- Only English courses are eligible for funding
- For a language course to be recognized for Erasmus+ funding, it must take place at a certified language school within the Erasmus+ program region and involve at least 270 minutes of instruction per day.
Advance payment of the travel and daily allowances
Subject to the DAAD releasing the funds, you will be paid 80 percent of the total allowance in advance within 30 days of the Grant Agreement (GA) being signed by both parties (participant and Erasmus University Coordinator). The remaining 20 % of your funding will be paid after your return, once you have submitted the required documentation.
No tax is payable on Erasmus+ funding provided for teaching visits as long as these activities are necessary for professional development. Tax is payable on any funding above and beyond this and on funding that is not used.
If you have applied successfully for an Erasmus language trip, you will need to submit certain forms before and after your stay abroad.
Erasmus academic year 2023/2024
Before your stay
- Staff Mobility Agreement for Training (PDF)
- Work-Related Travel Request Form / notification of work-related travel
- Grant Agreement (original—generated in the database)
- General conditions, attachment II (PDF)
After your stay
- Confirmation of Stay for Staff Training (PDF)
- Online EUSurvey (link via email)
- Report (DOC)—report guidelines (PDF) (both in German only)
Erasmus academic year 2024/2025
Before your stay
- Staff Mobility Agreement for Training (PDF)
- Work-Related Travel Request Form / notification of work-related travel
- Grant Agreement (original—generated in the database)
- General conditions, attachment II (PDF)
After your stay
- Confirmation of Stay for Staff Training (PDF)
- Online EUSurvey (link via email)
- Report (DOC)—report guidelines (PDF) (both in German only)