Guidance on hosting visiting staff from Erasmus+ members
Since the UK left the Erasmus+ programme in 2023, there is no Erasmus+ funding available for University of Glasgow staff to travel to European partners. However, it may still be possible for staff members from European partners to receive Erasmus+ funding from their home institution to come to Glasgow.
Requesting an Inter-institutional Agreement
An Erasmus+ Inter-institutional agreement (IIA) covering staff mobility must be in place between the two institutions in advance of the visit. It is possible that such an agreement may already exist – please enquire through mobility@glasgow.ac.uk.
If there is no existing IIA between the sending institution and the University of Glasgow, a request can be made to create one. Please note that these requests must demonstrate a contribution to UofG strategic goals on internationalisation and will be actioned subject to capacity within the Global Opportunities team and the timing in the academic cycle.
When requests are approved, agreements will be signed to cover one visiting staff member for one academic year.
As new agreements require liaison between the two institutions and signature by the UofG Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Engagement) and an equivalent signatory at the partner, we recommend allowing three months in advance of the staff mobility to complete this process.
Preparing to host a visiting staff member
Examples of activities that can receive Erasmus+ staff mobility funding are as follows:
- Guest teaching
- Sharing best practice in innovative pedagogy or curriculum development
- Training or sharing best practice in an innovative technology or methodology
- Capacity-building in leadership or management or administration systems
- Site visit by a current or prospective student exchange partner
Erasmus-funded staff visits are for a minimum of five days of activity.
It is expected that there be at least two hours of scheduled activity per working day, however, please note that some visitors may have a minimum number of hours that they have to meet under their own university/Erasmus+ National Agency regulations.
The prospective visitor should seek agreement in principle that they can be hosted, in line with the processes and timelines for their application for funding at their home institution.
The hosting staff member undertakes to prepare a programme of activity/teaching/training/meetings. This programme will need to be approved by both institutions before the mobility can take place.
Please note that while the Global Opportunities team can assist with general advice about the process, and liaise with the sending institution to create an Inter-institutional agreement, if necessary, the main responsibility for organising a visit lies with the hosting staff member. As the planning for the staff visit develops, the hosting staff member may be asked to complete two documents by the home institution. These are:
- A teaching or training agreement outlining the programme of activity – to be signed in advance of the mobility
- A document confirming the staff member’s attendance at Glasgow – to be signed at the end of the mobility.
Next steps
Please allow three months in advance of a planned staff mobility to request an IIA. You can do so using the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/EWJuky0w3Q