Guest lecturers form abroad

Guest lecturers from abroad

More than 400 researchers from abroad visit FAU each year. During their stay, they collaborate with FAU researchers in Erlangen and Nuremberg on joint research projects. They often continue working on their own projects at FAU or, in the case of younger researchers, use their stay to complete training and get advice from their supervisors at FAU. Please refer to the section called Service for Researchers for more information.

Many researchers from abroad also hold guest talks or lectures during their stay and thus make an important contribution to teaching at the University, enhancing it by adding an international aspect. In addition to individual talks and lectures, there are several other aspects that are worth mentioning. There are several opportunities for lecturers from abroad at FAU.

ERASMUS guest lecturers from abroad (ERASMUS+ STA)

This mobility scheme, known as ‘STA Mobility’, offers the opportunity to invite lecturers from a partner university in Europe to FAU for a guest lectureship. A bilateral Erasmus agreement must exist between FAU and the home university of the guest lecturer. The home university is responsible for all the administration and also for processing funding. The home university makes an application to the EU for funding for lecturers it sends to universities abroad or for speakers from companies.

If you are planning to host a guest lecturer at FAU, please ensure you first contact the relevant department coordinator at FAU for your subject. This is usually the person also named as the coordinator on the Erasmus agreement. If you do not know who your coordinator is, please contact Ms. Bianca Köndgen at the Central Office for International Affairs. The coordinator decides if your suggestion is feasible and plausible. Once approval has been granted, the coordinator organises the details with you (date, duration, subject of the guest lectureship) and concludes a ‘Mobility Agreement for Teaching’ with you. One copy of the agreement must be sent to Bianca Köndgen at the Central Office for International Affairs.

Eligibility criteria

Erasmus guest lectureships are only possible in the context of an existing valid Erasmus agreement in the specified field. The content of the lectureship can either be part of the curriculum at FAU, which means the visiting lecturer simply holds the lectures of their counterpart at FAU, or it can involve workshops complementing existing courses at FAU.

The focus of the stay must be on teaching, but in the remaining time, meetings can be held with colleagues and students in order to exchange information and ideas or discuss projects.

Formalities

As a visiting lecturer at FAU, you must apply for funding from your home university. Before departure, you must sign a ‘Mobility Agreement for Teaching’ between you, the Erasmus university coordinator at your home university, and the host chair at FAU.

From around September you can use our platform “Mobility Online” for you application and registration at FAU. Until then, please send an e-Mail to mobility@fau.de when you are planning on coming to Erlangen under the Erasmus+ STA programme.

Duration

Minimum: 2 working days, maximum: 2 months

Teaching hours: At least 8 hours (teaching units, which are 45 minutes long at FAU) per week of the stay. This must be specified in the Mobility Agreement.

Days spent travelling are not included in the calculation for working days. You can apply for optional funding for these days from your home university.

Financing

FAU does not receive funding for Erasmus lectureships at FAU. Those wishing to take part in a guest lectureship should contact the Erasmus university coordinator at their home university. Erasmus+ offers partial grants for stays and travel. The amount awarded for travel expenses depends on the distance one way between the home and host university:

Distance Sum awarded

100 – 499 km: 180 euros
500 – 1999 km: 275 euros
2000 – 2999 km: 360 euros
3000 – 3999 km: 530 euros
4000 – 7999 km: 820 euros
8000 km and over: 1100 euros

Please use the online tool provided by the EU to calculate the distance.

The purpose of the grant is to cover all costs during the stay such as transport, meals and accommodation. The home university decides the maximum amount of funding available. The daily rate for Germany set by the EU is 140 euros.

Accommodation

The Central Office of International Affairs can provide you with a list of hotels that are suitable for short stays . Please contact the Accommodation Services team if the duration of your guest lectureship is longer than 2 weeks.

Documentation

Visiting lecturers must fulfil certain requirements in order to receive funding.

Before your departure:

  • Sign Mobility Agreement with FAU
  • Sign a grant agreement for funding with your home university

After your return:

  • Submit confirmation of your lectureship to the home university, signed by the host chair at FAU
  • Submit the EU questionnaire online called the ‘EU Survey’ (you will receive a link via e-mail from the EU)
  • Other documents may be needed, depending on the requirements of the home university.