Erasmus+

Erasmus+ logo

What is Erasmus+?

The Erasmus+ program, developed by the European Union, aims to advance education, training, youth development, and sports in Europe. Waterloo is proud to partner with various institutions throughout the EU to provide students, staff and faculty members with the opportunity to gain firsthand experiences, knowledge and skills through mobility and cultural immersion.

Participation in the Erasmus+ program offers individuals the chance to acquire international and intercultural competencies, cultural awareness and build lasting connections. Successful applicants will receive a grant to cover the costs of their stay abroad, with varying amounts between sending and host countries. The program is administered by Waterloo International and we strongly encourage all members of our community to consider this valuable opportunity for a successful and meaningful international experience.

For more information about the University's involvement in the Erasmus+ program or if you are interested in the available mobility opportunities, please contact Waterloo International.

Supporting faculties and units

Waterloo engages in Erasmus+ mobility agreements at both institutional and unit levels, employing various approaches to enhance engagement based on partner requests or strategic partner identification.

Waterloo International (WI) recognizes campus units and faculties may seek to establish Erasmus+ agreements independently. WI is here to provide support and guidance where needed. There are two approaches WI currently takes:

  1. As the central organizing unit for Erasmus+ on campus, units and faculties are encouraged to engage WI as consultants to provide guidance throughout the process. WI’s assistance can range from consultation to direct assistance in drafting and negotiating agreements, including drafting of the application content and key clauses, and/or initiating conversations with the partner(s).
  1. Alternatively, units and faculties may independently create Erasmus+ mobility agreements without WI's formal engagement and sign-off.

There are several ways in which WI can offer assistance and be a resource. For more information, please contact us.

Process and Next Steps

NOMINATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by Waterloo International (WI). See below for the nomination and selection process:

Application Requirements

WI receives the documents from interested applicants, including:

  • Letter of Intent from applicant, including:
    • Reason for and outcomes from the desired mobility.
    • Confirmation they have reviewed the target country’s visa requirements.
    • Indicate how this mobility will support the institutions’ internationalization goals.
  • Up to date resume/CV.
  • Letter of Support from applicant’s supervisor/unit head indicating an initial approval of potential time away from work and any unit funding that may be available.
  • Letter of Support from the unit at the Partner which would host the applicant.

Application Evaluation

Communication will include:

  • Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria (which is in line with those prescribed by the Erasmus+ program):
    • Meets requests: Has the applicant provided all information requested in a clear and coherent manner?
    • Feasibility (of execution): What is the likelihood that the plan outlined will be able to be implemented/executed as described?
    • Likelihood of outcomes and impact at Waterloo: What outcomes and impact is the proposed mobility aiming to achieve for you personally, as well as towards the University of Waterloo’s objectives, including internationalization?
    • Likelihood of outcomes and impact at the Partner:What outcomes and impact is the proposed mobility aiming to achieve for our Partner university?
    • Other factors: Does the applicant normally have the opportunity to travel internationally to advance their work goals at the University of Waterloo?
  • The selected candidate will agree that within 30 days of their return to Waterloo, they will write a 1-3 page summary of their experience, provide it to WI, with permission for WI to use or reference it when promoting other Erasmus+ opportunities.

Notification of applicants

The successful candidate(s) will be notified of their selection and next steps. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified and encouraged to consider subsequent mobility calls.

Next steps for successful candidate

The successful candidate can proceed through the Partner’s Erasmus+ Mobility Process.

  • The successful candidate will be asked to fill out the appropriate Mobility Agreement with the Partner.

Next steps for selected candidates

Before Travel

  • Review Waterloo International’s webpage on faculty and staff travel safety.
  • Register your travel with Safety Abroad and complete the University’s travel safety and security requirements.
  • Complete the host institution's Mobility Agreement.

During Travel

  • Commit to the requirements set out in the Mobility Agreement.
  • Adhere to the host institutions guidelines and regulations, as required.
  • Take photographs of your travels and stay at your host institution.

After Travel

  • Within 30 days of your return to Waterloo, provide Waterloo International with the following:
    • A 1 – 3-page summary of your experience.
    • Submit any relevant photographs taken during your mobility.

Testimonials

David Gill collage

“The experience was very interesting and productive. I learned a lot of things about … the structure of the University, its different Faculties and Schools, the great facilities that you offer to...students and, last but not least, the importance the University is giving to its relationship with indigenous communities. I learnt many things about the functioning of a top, not only Canadian, but worldwide University that could be very useful in order to improve the way we do things at Carlos III University...I could not be more grateful. I am looking forward to continue working to develop and increase even more our existing collaboration.”

David Gill
University Charles III of Madrid, Spain
Staff Mobility for Training - 2023




 

Daniel Smertnig

“I visitedthe Pure Mathematics Department at the University of Waterloo for ten days using an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility program. Through discussions with my counterpart, I had the opportunity to gain a fuller picture of organizational and teaching-related questions. The visit laid the groundwork for ongoing and future research collaborations, exploring new ideas related to automata theory, a subfield in the intersection of mathematics and theoretical computer science. [It] was a very positive experience and provided me with the new stimuli I was hoping it would.

Daniel Smertnig
University of Graz, Austria
Staff Mobility for Training - 2022





 

Yasin Altun

“…even though our institutions are located geographically far away from each other, there are many shared points and commonalities in terms of realizing internationalization… Overall, I can say that I learned a lot from my esteemed colleagues working in the field of Internationalization at UWaterloo. I am wholeheartedly grateful and thankful to the colleagues at Waterloo International for giving me the opportunity to attend this mobility at their esteemed university.”

Yasin Altun
Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Staff Mobility for Training - 2022