Erasmus + funding

Source: https://www.fau.eu/studying/organizing-your-studies-and-where-to-go-for-advice/going-abroad/funding-a-stay-abroad/erasmus-funding/ Parent: https://www.fau.eu/

In the Erasmus+ program, funding is initially differentiated according to the following regions:

The exact amount of funding is determined by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the whole of Germany. It may vary from one year to the next and also depends on the host country and the exchange agreements that FAU has entered into with its partners.

Funding periods

The stated funding periods do not necessarily correspond to the academic calendar. The specific period of funding is determined during the application process.

Mobility allowance for accommodation costs

For funding period 2024 and 2025, Erasmus+ funding included the following mobility grants in addition to the waiver of tuition fees at the host university:

• With the exception of short-term mobility (BIP), funding can only be provided if the stay abroad lasts at least 2 and at the most 12 months.
• If students return early and fail to stay abroad for the minimum required length of time, any mobility grant which has already been paid must be paid back. Exceptions apply in the case of stays abroad aborted as a result of force majeure or illness.

Travel allowance and additional subsidized travel days

In addition to their daily allowance, students also receive a lump sum towards travel expenses for a Erasmus+ stay abroad (based on the destination, travel distance and funding period). The (simple) distance to the destination is calculated using the EU Erasmus+ distance calculator. Students who choose to travel using environmentally friendly means of transport, such as bus, train, bike or car sharing receive a more generous travel allowance (“green travel”). Depending on the length of the journey, students may also be eligible to funding for additional travel days, depending on the means of transport, travel distance and funding period (maximum 6 days).

The table below gives an overview of travel allowances and how to calculate additional travel days. Please also note the details on the differences between funding periods 2024 and 2025.

Overview of travel allowances

In funding period 2024, travel allowances are only awarded for a stay in partner countries.

Overview of travel allowances

Travel days are counted as additional funding days in particular if students choose to use environmentally friendly means of transport (= “green travel”). A maximum total of 6 additional travel days is possible, depending on the distance to the destination and how often the means of transport is used (= one way or return journey):

• Funding period 2024: Additional travel days only awarded for sustainable means of transport
• Funding period 2025: Funding is also awarded for two additional travel days in each instance, even if students choose non-sustainable means of transport (car, motorbike, airplane). If students only complete the outward or return journey using sustainable means of transport, a further (non-sustainable) travel day is added, meaning that a minimum of two days is allocated in each instance.

Further information is available on the DAAD website.

Special support for participants with fewer opportunities

Special funding available from Erasmus+ comprises a basic top-up in funds with a lump sum of 250 euros per month (or 100 euros for short-term mobility (BIP)) for:

• People with a degree of disability of at least 20% or a disability or chronic disease that can be proven to lead to the applicant requiring more funds abroad
• Students going abroad with one or more children
• Students who are the first in their family to study for a degree
• Working students (certain formal requirements must be met)

The following groups may also be eligible to apply for funding based on real costs. This funding covers the costs actually incurred for the stay abroad. The real costs are capped at a maximum of 15,000 euros per semester and 30,000 euros per study year and per mobility:

• People with a degree of disability over 20% and those with chronic illnesses
• Students going abroad with one or more children

In addition, these people can conduct a funded visit abroad in order to research the situation in the host country before submitting their application.

Information is available from the university coordinator Bianca Köndgen. As applications must be received by the funding provider no later than 2 months before you start your exchange, it is crucial that you get in touch well in advance.

Useful information about universities with disabled access is available on the website of the European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education.