Training opportunities for staff

With Erasmus+, training opportunities are available to staff working in education, both in teaching and non-teaching capacities.

Training periods abroad can consist of job shadowing, observation periods, professional development courses or specific competence-building events.

Erasmus+ supports training both at education institutions and at relevant organisations operating outside the sector.

Opportunities to take part in professional development activities are available to staff working at all levels of education.

Vocational education and training (staff teaching)

Overview

Erasmus+ supports teaching assignments at vocational education and training (VET) institutions abroad.

If you work in VET, you can spend time teaching at another organisation in an Erasmus+ Programme country.

Examples of such organisations include businesses, public bodies, social partners, research institutes and non-governmental organisations.

Duration

A teaching assignment must last a minimum of two days and can last up to one year. This excludes travelling time.

Conditions

For you to teach abroad with Erasmus+, your VET institution must apply to acquire an Erasmus accreditation in the field of VET or to participate in a short-term mobility project. In both cases, organisations should adhere to a set of quality standards for mobility projects on good management practices, providing quality and support to participants, and sharing results and knowledge about the programme. Before beginning your teaching period, you, your institution and the receiving organisation sign a Mobility Agreement. This document sets out your learning goals, rights and responsibilities and also how teaching period will be formally recognised.

Financial support

EU grants are paid to the coordinating organisation (your institution or a consortium coordinator) and are designed to cover your costs for travel and subsistence during your time abroad, as well as offer organisational support to participating organisations.

In addition, the Erasmus+ programme provides means to support the inclusion of participants with fewer opportunities.

How to apply

You cannot apply for a grant as an individual. Applications must be made by VET institutions who in turn select candidates for teaching and training assignments abroad from their staff.

The selection of staff to teach abroad should be fair, inclusive, transparent and well documented.

Organisations can invite trainers, teachers, policy experts or other qualified professionals from abroad who can help improve the teaching, training and learning at the receiving organisation. Organisations can also host teachers in training who want to spend a traineeship period abroad.

Find out more

Contact your VET institution to find out if these opportunities are available to you.

Consult the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for details on award and eligibility criteria and funding rules.

The National Agencies can help with queries and applications.

School Education (staff teaching)

Overview

Erasmus+ supports teaching assignments at schools abroad for professionals involved in pre-primary, primary and secondary school education.

Through teaching abroad, you can gain broader a perspective on education, exchange knowledge with your colleagues in another country and pick up educational good practices.

These opportunities are available between schools based in Erasmus+ Programme countries.

Duration

A teaching or training assignment must last a minimum of two days and can last up to one year. This excludes travelling time.

Conditions

For you to teach abroad with Erasmus+, your school must apply to acquire an Erasmus accreditation in the field of school education or to participate in a short-term mobility project. In both cases, schools should adhere to a set of quality standards for mobility projects on good management practices, providing quality and support to participants, and sharing results and knowledge about the programme.

Before beginning your teaching period, you, your institution and the receiving organisation sign a Mobility Agreement. This document sets out your learning goals, rights and responsibilities and also how teaching period will be formally recognised.

Financial support

EU grants are paid to the coordinating organisation (your school or a consortium coordinator) and are designed to cover your costs for travel and subsistence during your time abroad, as well as offer organisational support to participating organisations. In addition, the Erasmus+ programme provides means to support the inclusion of participants with fewer opportunities.

How to apply

You cannot apply directly for a grant as an individual. Applications must be made by schools (or consortium coordinators on behalf of schools) who in turn select candidates for teaching assignments abroad from their staff.

The selection of staff to teach abroad should be fair, inclusive, transparent and well documented.

Organisations can invite trainers, teachers, policy experts or other qualified professionals from abroad who can help improve the teaching, training and learning at the receiving organisation. Organisations can also host teachers in training who want to spend a traineeship period abroad.

Find out more

Ask within your school to find out whether these opportunities are available to you.

Consult the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for details on award and eligibility criteria and funding rules.

eTwinning is a community for schools, where individuals working in a school in Europe can communicate, collaborate, develop projects, share experience, and be part of the largest learning community in Europe.

The School Education Gateway is a platform for teachers, schools, experts, and others to find information on news, trends, policies, initiatives, and activities in the field of school education, as well as contribute by discussing and engaging  important issues with peers.