After having to put programmes involving international travel on hold because of the pandemic, the Global Engagement team are pleased to be able to open three schemes that give staff opportunities to visit our international partners in Europe and further afield.

Open to both academic and professional services colleagues, the schemes offer opportunities for personal development, collaboration and sharing of expertise with institutions across the globe. The schemes are:

• European Partnership Development Fellowship
• Erasmus+ staff mobility programme
• Professional Services Fellowship

We encourage European Partnership Development Fellowship and Professional Services Fellowship trips to take place before the end of July if possible. However, each scheme also accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Take a look at the exciting opportunities available and find out more about how to apply below. Further information about how the University delivers innovative partnership schemes is available on our partnership engagement webpages.

European Partnership Development Fellowship

Global Engagement is excited to announce the launch of our new European Partnerships Development Fellowship which is designed to support individuals whose collaborations have the potential to deliver active, high quality, mutually beneficial links with European partners.

Funding is available to cover travel and accommodation costs, allowing Sussex staff to visit or host a colleague from selected European partners with visits lasting a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 10.

The scheme offers a valuable opportunity for Sussex or partner staff to engage with likeminded researchers, teachers, and professional services staff, either on the partner university campus, or at Sussex. Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their personal and their institution’s international networks, and to contribute to international development at both universities.

Activities covered by the scheme may include presentations, research and training events and the exploration of further collaborative opportunities for research, teaching or mobility with host institution representatives.

Applications for the current financial year are accepted on a rolling basis and Visiting Fellows must demonstrate that they have the support of their home institution and of the Host’s Head of School.

For any queries about the European Partnership Development Fellowship, please email Louise Duthie, Global Partnerships Senior Administrator, l.a.duthie@sussex.ac.uk.

University travel policies will be monitored, and travel arrangement will be dependent on these alongside the UK Government guidelines and the policy at the partner institution.

Professional Services Fellowship

Global Partnerships welcomes and encourages professional services staff and academics with a significant element of administrative work to their role to apply to take part in the Professional Services Fellowship.

Under the scheme staff can visit one of our selected partners for up to one week to share experiences and expertise. The programme provides opportunities for staff development, shared best practice and gives a global perspective of university services and management.

Partners participating in the scheme include:

• University of California, Santa Cruz
• Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
• Georgetown
• University of Ghana
• Renmin University of China
• Shanghai University
• Tokyo Institute of Technology

Sussex staff do not need to travel to benefit from the scheme as hosting visitors provides another opportunity to develop international peer networks and share best practice. If you are interested in hosting a colleague from one of our listed partners then please contact the Global Partnerships team.

You can find out more information on our webpages and if you are interested in applying to the scheme please contact Louise Duthie (Global Partnerships Senior Administrator) – L.A.Duthie@sussex.ac.uk

Erasmus+ staff mobility programme

The Erasmus+ staff mobility programme allows for academic and administrative staff to visit a participating European university for either a teaching or training visit. With the UK’s participation in Erasmus+ as a programme country coming to an end in May 2023, this is an opportunity for staff to reconnect with European partners and to look for new ways of continuing to collaborate with them in future.

The Global Engagement team manages Erasmus+ funding which covers the cost of travel and subsistence for approved visits. Teaching mobilities can include activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops etc and staff must agree a timetable with the host university confirming at least 8 hours of teaching. Training mobilities may include activities such as job shadowing or attending a staff training week at the host university.

The first step would be for staff to check with their Line Manager/Head of School whether they could approve their application. All planned travel needs to be approved by your Head of School or Director of your division and must be in line with FCDO travel guidelines for that country. Please see the University’s Health and Safety pages on current steps to be taken for any international travel planned.