Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes: Information for organising institutions

What is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)?

Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs) represent a quite new funding line in the new Erasmus+ program generation 2021-2027. BIPs are short group mobilities within the framework of Erasmus+ short-term mobilities.

BIPs consist of a physical and a virtual part and are carried out by a consortium of at least 3 universities from 3 different program countries. BIPs aim to promote the use of innovative learning and teaching methods and to explore the possibilities of online collaboration. Current societal challenges can be addressed in transnational and interdisciplinary teams.

Toolkit for organising and planning Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes.
 

Prerequisites

The following requirements must be met in order for an event to be conducted and funded as an Erasmus+ BIP:

•     Target group: students (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and university staff.

•     3 universities from 3 program countries join together to form BIP partner universities, additional universities, also from Erasmus partner countries (at their own expense) possible

•     Location of BIPS: At the host university or a location in the country of the host institution

•     Minimum 15 - maximum 20 mobile participants (NEW! 10 - 20 mobile participants in funding period 2024). More possible, but then without funding

•     Physical mobility: 5 - 30 days

•     Virtual part: no specified duration. Can take place before, during or after the physical part

•     Credits for students per BIP: minimum 3 ECTS

•     No grades have to be given

Roles of the BIP-Partners

At least 3 higher education institutions with Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) from at least 3 program countries participate in the creation and organization of a BIP. In addition, other HEIs or organizations from program or partner countries may be involved in the organization and implementation of the BIP.

The following roles are distributed among the minimum 3 participating HEIs from 3 program countries:

•     Coordinating HEI: It coordinates the program. It is usually also the host institution, unless otherwise specified. It receives the OS funds for organizing the BIP.

•     Host HEI: The BIP can take place at the host HEI's location or at any location in its country.

•     Sending HEI: It submits the funding applications for the participants in Erasmus+ short-term mobilities.

•     Special arrangements: It is possible that the coordinating HEI is also the sending HEI. It is also possible that the receiving HEI is not at the same time the coordinating HEI.

Who can participate?

Students of all study levels and staff from program countries can participate in a BIP and receive an Erasmus+ physical mobility grant from their respective sending HEI. The grant is calculated on a daily basis.

Teaching can be done by academic staff or by staff of a company.

Attention!!!
1. students and staff of the receiving HEI will not receive Erasmus+ funding as they will not be mobile within two countries.
2. students and staff of the receiving HEI do not count for reaching the minimum number of participants. However, they can participate in the BIP.
 

Administrative procedure

1. Application for funding

•     Application: The International Office of the coordinating university (BOKU-International Relations) applies -on behalf of all partners- for OS funding for the organization and implementation of the BIP. After approval, the coordinating university will receive funds for the organization for a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 mobile participants.

•     Time of application: The application is possible once a year in November in the framework of the application for KA131 Mobility via BOKU-International Relations. Each BIP can only be applied for 1x per application round in Europe if these three aspects apply at the same time: the same partnership, the same title and the same Learning Outcomes.

•     The coordinating university receives the OS funds and the content organization of the program is determined within the BIP partnership.

•     The disbursement to the implementing institute of the coordinating university occurs after the completion of the BIP and therefore would need to be pre-funded from institute funds.

2. Inter-institutional agreement

The prerequisite for any student or faculty exchange is an Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA), a so-called Erasmus+ Partnership Agreement. For BIPs an additional Multilateral Inter-Institutional Agreement signed by all International Offices within the BIP can be necessary.
 

3. Documents for participants

Students and staff can receive an Erasmus+ grant from their sending university for participation in a BIP. The following documents are required to apply through the International Office.

Documents for students

•     Learning Agreement: this sets out the period, content and ECTS of the program. The Learning Agreement is signed by the student, the sending institution and the receiving institution.

•     Grant Agreement: This is the commitment for the Erasmus+ grant and is signed by the sending university and the students.

•     Letter of Attendance / Transcript of records: Students will receive a certificate from the coordinating university on the last day of the BIP on site stating the title, duration, learning outcome and at least 3 ECTS.

•     Confirmation of stay, additional if applicable: Students receive a Confirmation of stay from the host university on the last day of the on-site BIP, if the host university is different from the coordinating university. (Usually the coordinating university is also the receiving university).

Documents for lecturers/staff

•     Mobility Agreement: The Mobility Agreement is signed between the sending institution, the receiving institution and the staff.

•     Grant Agreement: The Grant Agreement is signed between the sending university and the staff.

•     Confirmation of stay: On the last day of the BIP, a Confirmation of Stay must be provided by the coordinating university confirming the title of the event, duration, and location of stay.

Grants for the coordinating university

OS-grants are requested for a minimum of 15 or 10 (according to the funding period!) and a maximum of 20 mobile participants by BOKU-International Relations. A BIP with less than 15 mobile participants is not eligible for funding.

Please note: persons who are involved in the delivery of the programme within a BIP are not counted to the total number of mobile participants (min. 15, max. 20).

Use of the grants: Development, coordination, implementation, administration, contribution to teaching/training

• Per mobile person: 400 Euro
  (Please note! OS-grants are only possible for min. 15, max. 20 mobile participants), i.e:

  • for 10 mobile persons: 4.000 Euro

  • for 15 mobile persons: 6.000 Euro

  • for 20 or more mobile persons: 8.000 Euro

Examples: For 19 mobile participants 7.600 Euro can be applied for. For 21 mobile persons 8.000 Euro can be applied for.

Inclusion

The Erasmus+ Inclusion Support can help to cover so-called real costs incurred by participants with disabilities or chronic illnesses that arise in the context of the mobility or during the stay abroad. Participants have to apply for this support at the OeAD before their mobility. Students with fewer opportunities receive a lump-sum top-up additionally to their BIP Erasmus+ grant of 100 Euros.
 

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