Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)

• BIPs are established as a new teaching format or are an extension of existing formats with additional features compared to existing programmes or modules.
• Cooperation project between Bremen University of Applied Sciences and at least two other higher education institutions from different Erasmus+ programme countries (EU + associated countries):
• one HEI is the coordinating or hosting HEI and develops a joint BIP with the other HEIs
• at least 15 - 20 participants (students and/or HEI staff)
• at least 3 ECTS for students
• Virtual component (before, during or after physical mobility)

• A total of at least 15 - 20 mobile learners must participate in a BIP.
• BIP learners can be both students (SMS) and higher education staff (STT); not teaching staff
• Participants must come from at least three higher education institutions from three Erasmus+ Programme Countries.
• Teaching staff can be funded via Erasmus+ Teacher Mobility

• Minimum duration: 5 days; maximum duration: 30 days (splitting possible).
• The BIP takes place at the same time in the same physical location for all participants
• The physical mobility venue must be located in an Erasmus+ Programme Country
• The physical mobility venue can be located in an Erasmus+ Programme Country without the need for a higher education institution there to be a partner in the BIP.
• Short-term physical mobility is financially supported

• Collaborative online learning, exchange and teamwork
• Simultaneous completion of tasks that are part of the BIP and contribute to the achievement of the learning outcomes
• Timing: before, during or after physical mobility
• No financial support
• No predefined duration

As the sending university, the faculty selects the students according to a transparent procedure and nominates the students at the receiving institution according to the usual procedure.

Financial support for students and teachers:

• Students apply online to the International Office of the Bremen University of Applied Sciences online for financial support for their short-term mobility.
• They must be enrolled at HSB at the time of the stay abroad.
• They will receive the financial support after the mobility has been completed and all required documents have been submitted in full by the International Office.
• Financial support for sending incoming Erasmus+ students to a BIP is not possible, as double funding is excluded.

Participating teachers can apply for funding within the framework of an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility.

How much funding is available?

Participants from Erasmus+ Programme Countries receive their funding from the respective sending HEI for the physical mobility period (5-30 days).

An overview of all funding rates in the new Erasmus+ programme generation can be found on the website of the National Agency for Erasmus+ (DAAD).

So if HSB students, graduates and doctoral candidates go to a partner university (inter-institutional agreement must be in place) as part of a BIP, they receive the following funding rates:

Day 1-14: 70 EUR/day (for funding from project 2023/24 79.00 EUR/day)

Day 15-30: 50 EUR/day (for funding from project 2023/24 56.00 EUR/day)

Sustainable travel: 50 EUR one-time + up to 4 additional days one-time

Participants* with fewer opportunities can receive an additional 100 EUR one-off plus travel costs according to distance (travel costs for round trip). These can be:

• Students and graduates with a disability of GdB 20 or more or a chronic illness
• Students and graduates who are travelling abroad with children
• If applicable, first-time academics (students from a non-academic home)
• If applicable, gainfully employed students

University staff also receive the daily rate plus travel expenses according to distance.

As the receiving higher education institution, the following points must be observed:

• The selection of the participating incoming students usually takes place at the sending institution.
• The financial support of the participating incoming students is the responsibility of the sending institution.
• Incoming students register via the Erasmus Mobility Portal of the HSB.
• The Learning Agreement is signed by the Programme Officer or, in consultation, by the responsible project coordinator.
• The project coordinator provides a welcome letter with sufficient information about the journey, accommodation possibilities as well as explanations about the organisation of the physical mobility.
• A list of participants must be kept.
• The stay of the incoming students must be formally confirmed at the end (Letter of Confirmation).

The HSB takes over the overall coordination, application and administration for a BIP and receives OS funds (organisational funds) for it. In most cases, it is also the host higher education institution.

The funding for the implementation of a BIP must be applied for annually in advance by the Erasmus+ university coordination of the HSB at the DAAD in accordance with the EU-wide application deadlines.

At the HSB, applications for the implementation of BIPs must be submitted by the faculties by 31 January of each year. The implementation period for the requested funding is between 01.10. of the same year and 30.9. of the following year.

The faculty can receive 400 euros per mobile participant on site from the International Office as organisational funds. This is paid for a minimum of 15 participants and a maximum of 20 funded participants, although the actual number of mobile participants may be higher. This means that an eligible BIP receives a minimum of € 6,000 and a maximum of € 8,000 as OS funds.

If there are less than 15 mobile participants, the project cannot be funded with Erasmus+ funds. It is recommended to plan with a minimum of 20 mobile participants in order to still be able to receive funding in case of cancellations at short notice.

The organisational support funds are paid to the coordinating HEI, which is usually the HEI where the physical mobility takes place, and can be used for the following:

• the preparation, design, development, implementation and follow-up of the programme,
• the implementation of virtual activities and general administration and coordination,
• the production of documents or teaching materials
• the rental of premises and/or equipment,
• excursions, communication activities, translation and interpretation,
• preparatory visits and administrative tasks.

If a BIP for students takes place as part of a course, it must be published in the course catalogue.

The International Office applies for funding centrally via the European Commission's application portal.

HSB teachers can contact Ilka Knippel by e-mail on an ongoing basis to apply for funding for group mobility as part of a Blended Intensive Programme.

It is important to know whether the HSB is the coordinating higher education institution of the BIP.

The Erasmus coordinator decides on the applications. Since the programme is new and funding is already available, the chances of a positive decision are good (provided the planned BIP meets the requirements).

The application form can currently be sent to Ilka Knippel by e-mail:

If the BIP is coordinated from the Bremen University of Applied Sciences, funds for the organisation for the BIP can be paid to the faculty. For this purpose, notification of the planned use is also important.