International Credit Mobility (ICM) is a cooperation based on bilateral agreements between partnering institutions, who sign Inter-Institutional agreements.

The Applicant HEI should be based in an EU Member State or a third country associated with the Programme, and must hold an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) 

A HEIs established in a third country not associated with the Programme, e.g. Armenia, must be accredited by the relevant national accreditation organization (e.g. ANQA). Armenian higher education institutions are not eligible for an Erasmus Charter for Higher Education. Instead, by signing an agreement, they commit themselves to the principles of the charter and make the support they intend to offer to participants clear in the Inter-Institutional Agreement.

Since ICM is a decentralised action of Erasmus+, the Applicant HEI must submit the application to their National Agency either as bilateral partnership, or as part of a “mobility consortium”, a group of universities managed by a single coordinating (Applicant) HEI.

Based on the Erasmus Quality Framework:

• Both sending and receiving institutions must be able to ensure student and staff support
• Mutual recognition of credits must be guaranteed
• Double tuition is not permitted

There are two strands of international mobility under Erasmus+ 2021-2027 Programme:

• KA131 International outgoing mobility supported by internal policy funds. Max. 20% of the last awarded KA131 grant may be used for outgoing mobility to non-associated countries (Regions 1-14) all over the world (note Armenia is under Region 2 Neighbourhood East)
• KA171 International outgoing and incoming mobility supported by external policy funds

Mobility Grant

Mobility grants cover costs directly linked to the implementation of mobility activities, such as subsistence (individual support) and travel grants for participants. Travel grants are allocated based on the Distance calculator and  also include additional financial support for Green Travel (see the image below).

These grants are based on the unit costs and do not depend on real costs of the mobility. Grant amounts should be checked in the latest Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

Organisational Support

Organisational Support (OS) covers costs directly linked to the implementation of mobility activities (excluding subsistence and travel for participants). For mobility projects supported by external policy funds OS covers 500 EUR (unit cost) per participant. The use of OS is to be decided between the partner HEIs. 

There is also additional Inclusion Support that covers costs related to the organisation of mobility activities for participants with fewer opportunities requiring additional support based on real costs. Financing mechanism is through contribution to unit costs and is comprised of a 100 EUR per participant top up or, in cases which cannot be covered through the top-up amount for individual support for participants with fewer opportunities (physical, mental or health related conditions to allow their participation in the mobility as well as for accompanying persons), 100% of eligible costs (to be justified by the Applicant HEI and approved by the National Agency).

Useful tips

Although ICM applications are submitted by a HEI based in EU Member State or third country associated with the Programme, it is a plus if Armenian partner institutions are also involved in writing the application. Here are a few tips on how to ensure that your cooperation is successful and long lasting:

• Provide the Applicant HEI with details of the Internationalisation Strategy of your higher education institution
• Start planning the cooperation and mobilities as early as possible, agree on practicalities, sign Inter-Institutional Agreement
• Ensure institutional commitment to cooperation (in case of changes in staff)
• Focus on student mobility and those with fewer opportunities
• Be realistic in the number and length of mobilities
• In case of new cooperation, staff mobility might be a good way to start

Mobility contract period can last 24 or 36 months. 

The application process for mobility projects is managed by the relevant National Agency (NA) on an annual basis. For individual higher education institutions this is the National Agency in the country where the Applicant organisation is based, and for a national mobility consortium this is the National Agency  where the consortium Coordinator is based.

The Erasmus+ Programme Guide is the main source of information for these opportunities; detailed information on the award criteria, eligibility criteria, and funding rules can be found in the Guide. 

Assistance to Newcomer HEIs

National Erasmus+ Office in Armenia offers consultation and guidance to all newcomer Armenian HEIs interested in applying to KA1 ICM projects. To make an appointment for consultation, contact neo@erasmusplus.am or call 091 21-62-58 (working hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00).

To study or undergo a traineeship abroad, you must be registered in a higher education institution and enrolled in studies (Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level) leading to a recognised degree. For students in the first cycle (BA), you need to be at least in the second year of your studies to be able to participate in a study exchange. Your period of study abroad must be relevant for your degree-related learning and personal development needs, and be part of the study programme that you are following.

Your home institution and the receiving institution must have an Inter-Institutional Agreement between them for you to study or undergo a traineeship abroad with Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility.

Your study period abroad can last from a minimum of 2 months (or 1 academic term or trimester) to a maximum of 12 months.
Your traineeship abroad can last from a minimum of 2 months to a maximum of 12 months or minimum 3 months if combined with a study period.

You can benefit of an exchange abroad with Erasmus+ multiple times but your total time abroad (study abroad periods included) may not exceed 12 months within one cycle of study. “Cycle” refers to the level of study as defined by the European Qualifications Framework (EQF):

• First cycle (Bachelor or equivalent) EQF – 5/6
• Second cycle (Master or equivalent) EQF 7
• Third cycle (Doctoral or equivalent) EQF 8

Before the study abroad period:

1. You, your sending and receiving higher education institutions must sign a Learning Agreement for studies to ensure a transparent and efficient preparation of the exchange abroad, as well as to agree on how activities successfully completed abroad will be recognised. This document sets out rights and responsibilities of the various parties.
2. You will receive the Erasmus+ Student Charter, explaining your rights and obligations with respect to your period of study abroad.

After the study abroad period:

1. The receiving higher education institution must provide you and your sending institution with a transcript of records confirming that the agreed programme has been completed and acknowledge the results.
2. Your higher education institution must recognise the credits (using ECTS credits or an equivalent system) as agreed in the Learning Agreement before the mobility and count them towards your degree, without any further requirements.

Read more on the Guidelines on how to use the Learning Agreement for Studies.

Before the  traineeship abroad:

1. You, your higher education institution and the receiving organisation must sign a Learning Agreement for Traineeships to ensure a transparent and efficient preparation of the exchange abroad. This document sets out rights and responsibilities of the various parties, a detailed programme of the traineeship, information on insurance, and how your traineeship will be recognised upon successful completion.
2. You will receive the Erasmus+ Student Charter, explaining your rights and obligations with respect to your traineeship abroad.

After the traineeship abroad period:

1. The receiving organisation/enterprise should send you and your higher education institution a Traineeship Certificate, normally within five weeks after successful completion of the traineeship.
2. Your higher education institution must recognise your traineeship abroad, according to the commitments agreed upon in the learning agreement and without any further requirements..

Read more on the Guidelines on how to use the Learning Agreement for Traineeships

International Credit Mobility (ICM) supports teaching and training periods at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) abroad. If you are an academic or administrative staff member in an Armenian higher education, you can spend time teaching or getting training at a higher education institution in an EU Member state of a third country associated with the Programme.

To participate in ICM for university staff, first of all your institution must have signed an Inter-Institutional Agreement with the receiving institution. Before beginning your teaching or training period, you, your HEI and the receiving institution must sign a Mobility Agreement for Teaching or Mobility Agreement for Training. This document sets out your learning goals, rights and responsibilities and also how the teaching period will be recognised.

The teaching period must last a minimum of 5 days and maximum of 2 months. This excludes travelling time. During your stay abroad, the teaching activity must comprise a minimum of 8 hours per week (or any shorter period of stay) of actual teaching time.

The training period must last a minimum of 5 days and cannot last more than 2 months. This excludes travelling time.

You will receive an Erasmus+ grant that will cover your travel and subsistence costs. It may vary according to differences in living costs between your country and the destination country, the number of students applying for a grant, the distance between countries and the availability of other grants.

The students will receive an Erasmus+ grant that will cover travel and subsistence expenses. It may vary depending on the cost of living in the host country, the distance between the sending and receiving countries, the number of students applying, and the availability of other grants. Fixed grant limits for exchanges between sending and host countries can be found in the Erasmus+ Program Guide.

The successful applicant signs a grant agreement with the University at an EU Member State or a third country associated with the Program, which specifies the duration of the mobility, the amount of the grant and other rights and obligations. The sending and receiving Universities will jointly decide on which party will make the payment transactions.

During the mobility at the host university, an Erasmus+ student is exempted from tuition, registration, examination fees, laboratory or library fees . Small fees may apply for insurance or student union membership.

Note: Students with special needs or from socially disadvantaged backgrounds can benefit from additional funding opportunities, as 40% of the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility budget must be allocated to promoting inclusion and equity. 

EU grants provide a contribution to your costs for travel and subsistence during your time abroad and vary depending on the receiving country and the distance between your country and the receiving country.

Your sending and receiving institutions will decide which one will make your payments. Grant levels for teaching and training periods abroad are published in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. 

Grant levels for teaching periods abroad between Programme and Partner countries are published in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. 

The application process for mobility projects is managed by the International Relations Office (IRO) (other units responsible for Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility) of your higher education institution.

IROs are responsible for coordinating and arranging incoming and outgoing mobility (within bilateral agreements) at the university level and providing administrative assistance to the students, PhD candidates, and staff. 

Contact details of IROs at Armenian Higher Education Institutions can be found here. 

NOTE: National Erasmus+ Office in Armenia (NEO-AM) does not participate in the selection process, however, students and staff with general quires on the programme aspects can contact NEO-AM.