CALL FOR PROPOSALS — EACEA/38/11

ICI education cooperation programme

Cooperation in higher education and training between the European Union and Australia and the European Union and the Republic of Korea

Call for proposals 2011 for joint mobility projects (JMP) and joint degree projects (JDP)

2011/C 349/07

1.   Objectives and description

The general objective is to enhance mutual understanding between people of the EU and the partner countries including broader knowledge of their languages, cultures and institutions and to enhance the quality of higher education and training by stimulating balanced partnerships between higher education and training institutions in the EU and in partner countries.

2.   Eligible applicants

The following call is open to a consortium of higher education institutions and/or post-secondary training institutions.

Eligible applicants must be from one of the partner countries and from one of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

3.   Eligible actions

There are two types of actions under this call, namely joint mobility projects and joint degree projects.

For joint mobility projects (JMP) support is provided to enable EU-partner country consortia of post-secondary vocational and training institutions, to carry out joint study and training programmes and to implement student and faculty mobility. Support includes lump sum funding for administration and grants for students and members of the academic and administrative staff. A consortium applying for an ICI-ECP joint mobility project must include at least three post-secondary vocational training institutions from three different EU Member States and at least two such institutions from the partner country. The maximum duration of JMP projects is 36 months. Special attention will be given to projects which include internships and work placements.

For joint degree projects (JDP) support is provided to develop and implement dual/double or joint degree programmes. Support includes lump sum funding for the development work and administration and grants for students and members of the academic and administrative staff. A consortium applying for an ICI-ECP joint degree project must include at least two higher education institutions from two different EU Member States and at least two institutions from the partner country. The maximum duration of JDP projects is 48 months. Special attention will be given to applications for joint degree projects.

Activities are planned to start in October 2012.

4.   Award criteria

A.   Significance of the project for the relationship between the EU and the partner countries and contribution to quality and excellence (20 %)

will be determined by:

(a)   Relevance of the proposal to the objectives of the call and to the relations between the EU and the partner country

The relevance of the proposal to the objectives of the call and, in particular, the distinctive added value of the programme of study in the proposed discipline and profession, from the perspective of the relations between the EU and the partner country.

(b)   Contribution of the project to educational quality, excellence and innovation in its field

The project’s likely contribution to educational quality, excellence and innovation, including the improvement of teaching methods and students’ further study and professional opportunities and the definition of an efficient academic quality control system.

B.   The quality of project implementation (80 %)

will be determined by:

(a)   Partnership management and cooperation among partners

The extent to which cooperation mechanisms and administrative structure reflect a well functioning partnership.

The conclusion by the partners by the start of the mobility, of a comprehensive partnership agreement and/or a memorandum of understanding.

The level of commitment from the partner institutions in the project.

(b)   Student mobility scheme

The integration of the student mobility scheme among the partner institutions (i.e. the distribution of the student mobility activities among the partners and the balance of the partner institutions’ participation in the action).

The fulfilment of requirements in terms of numbers and types of mobility activities and the balance of the mobility flows proposed.

The development of sound student selection mechanisms based on transparency, equality and merit principles applicable to all partner institutions in the framework of the proposed project.

The description of common standards agreed by the partnership for joint application, selection, admission and examination procedures.

(c)   Arrangements for transfer and recognition of academic credits

The soundness and clarity of the arrangements for academic credits and credit transfer, including, if applicable, the extent to which ECTS mechanisms such as grading scales and other mechanisms for study periods compatible with ECTS will be used.

The use of a Diploma Supplement (document jointly issued on behalf of the partnership to any successful student providing data on the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies that he/she has completed successfully).

(d)   Hosting students and faculty, student services, language and cultural preparation

The quality of the resources available for hosting foreign students and faculty members (particularly of housing facilities, assistance for visa, residence permit and insurance, linguistic assistance etc.).

The quality of the language and cultural plan offered to mobile students.

(e)   Faculty mobility scheme

The faculty mobility plan and the balance of the faculty mobility flow among the partner institutions. The activities planned to be executed by faculty and staff gone on mobility. The relation of the activity to the project and how this activity is going to be registered.

(f)   Evaluation plan

The development of an ongoing monitoring system, the quality of the evaluation plan and the involvement of students in the self-evaluation of the project.

(g)   Dissemination plan

The quality of the dissemination activities and their impact in terms of visibility and in raising awareness of cooperation between the EU and the partner country.

(h)   Sustainability plan

The quality of the sustainability plan (within and beyond the envisaged contractual period) and the project’s likelihood to be sustainable in terms of impact at an institutional level (including recognition of studies among partners, development of international cooperation etc.).

5.   Budget

The budget available is approximately EUR 2,3 million. Comparable funding will be provided by the partner countries in accordance with the rules applicable for each of them.

The maximum amount of funding on the EU side will be EUR 350 000 for a four-year JDP project with two or more EU institutions and EUR 262 500 for a three-year JMP project with three or more EU institutions.

6.   Deadline

Applications have to be submitted both to the EU and the implementing institutions in Australia (Australian Department of Education — DEEWR) and in the Republic of Korea (National Research Foundation of Korea — NRF).

Applications on behalf of the EU lead institution must be sent to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency no later than 30 March 2012. Applications bearing a postmark after this date will not be considered. Applications must be sent to the following address:

Applications on behalf of the EU lead institution must be submitted on the correct form, duly completed, signed by the person authorised to enter into legally binding commitments on behalf of the applicant organisation and dated.

Australian applications and supporting documents should be sent by registered mail to:

Korean applications and supporting documents should be delivered in person, or by private courier service at:

7.   Further information

The Guidelines and the application forms are available on the following website:

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/bilateral_cooperation/eu_ici_ecp/index_en.php

Applications must be submitted using the form provided and they have to include all the annexes and information requested.