RATIONALE AND APPLICATION
KA131 specific:
Q: Will KA131 international foresee specific requirements/geographical targets, etc. To prevent that the budget will be spent entirely for one single country?
A: Yes, HEIs are expected to diversify the destination countries and implement mobilities with several countries/ the highest possible geographical scope. This will also depend on the project’s size though. In larger projects coordinated by bigger universities, we encourage to diversify as much as possible.
Q: To use the 20% of KA131, do the HEIs need to sign bilateral agreements similar to the intra-EU ones with organisations from Partner countries?
A: It is the Erasmus Charter principle that HEIs must have a signed Inter-Institutional agreement to implement mobilities.
Q: Would international mobility under KA131 be outgoing and incoming mobility in 2022 or not?
A: In 2021 and 2022 only outgoing mobilities will be funded through KA131 but it may evolve further later.
Q: Could you please give more info about 20% of which budget – last awarded or final reported?
A: Based on latest awarded budget.
Q: Under KA131 (20%) – will mobility from non-EU associated countries to EU27/ + associated countries be possible. Essential to have reciprocity. I think it will be very difficult to maintain a relationship with a partner country through a voluntary KA131 and comp KA171 – might not be successful in KA171 application.
A: We will wait to have feedback from HEIs and NAs for incoming mobility but reciprocity is still possible through KA171 projects. Under KA131 it is possible to have non-reciprocal actions, e.g. traineeship.
KA171 specific:
Q: Will there be any limitations of study cycle mobilities in KA171, like they were in previous programme for DCI region?
A: We do not yet know outgoing mobility to which regions will be restricted. We are currently waiting for RELEX to clarify.
Q: Do HEIs have to get an amendment if they want to add a partner in their project? So that NAs can add the data about partner country HEI (like OID) in PMM?
A: We will have to see how the IT tools will be adjusted, but we are aiming to have same process as before via amendment to add new institutions from countries listed in the Grant Agreement.
Q: Are zero-grants allowed to participate in KA171 freely or should HEIs ask to NAs permission?
A: As long as the conditions for the realization of zero grant mobilities within a KA171 are met (non-availability of funds, flow to a country included in the Grant Agreement, prolongation of a funded mobility but no planned partial zero grant etc.), the HEIs do not need to ask NAs permission. A request to the NA might concern only additional OS these zero grant mobilities might receive, depending on the availability of funds in the NA’s respective regional envelope.
Q: Are recent graduates eligible under KA171 for traineeships?
A: Yes, they are eligible.
Q: Do you already have info about the tools for NAs to do the budget allocation in KA171, will there be some new tool for the calculations or the old excel?
A: The preparation of the IT tools is ongoing. We will come back with more information in due time.
Q: If KA171 funding allocation becomes region-oriented, why restrict cooperation only with countries indicated/specified in applications?
A: The allocation of budget will have a region-oriented flexibility in the new period, but this does not mean that the applicant HEI does not need to present a project with an outlined strategy about their partnerships in the region. Their project remains the basis upon which they are assessed and scored. In addition, their funding will be also influenced by the countries included in the application, due to the geographical targets and priorities the NAs will seek to meet in some of the regions.
Q: Does this mean that assessment points will be based on region, rather than country?
A: Yes, the assessment will be per region. HEIs will have to address specificities for countries but answer specific questions once per region.
Q: Will KA171 also include BIPs and short term blended mobility as possibility?
A: KA171 participants can take part in blended mobilities, including in KA131-funded BIPs hosted by HEIs with funding from both key actions. However, KA171 will not fund the design and development of BIPs, but only incoming participants from third countries not associated to the programme. For the purposes of KA171, a BIP is like any other blended activity.
Q: Can you elaborate on the geographical targets? Is it at the applicant level, NA level?
A: Targets will guide the long-term allocation for NAs, but they are not to be met by each NA separately, but by all together over the whole programme period. Nevertheless, since each NA performs its allocation independently from the rest, efforts in terms of promotion in regions/countries with low demand and careful selection of projects (to avoid that one country absorbs disproportionately large share of the regional budget) needs to be always in the focus.
Q: Can one HEI apply for more than once for one region, e.g. if they have two projects in two different countries that belong to the same region?
A: While building their project in the KA171 application, the selection of partners situated in countries of the same region will automatically appear under the same regional group (therefore, the same quality criteria questions will cover them). In that sense, a HEI cannot apply more than once for the same region in the same Call Year.
Q: Can you precise the inclusion target and rules on KA171?
A: Inclusion is a horizontal priority now but KA171 does not have specific targets. Rules are same as the KA131 strand. For KA171 inter-institutional agreements, partners are encouraged to establish indicative targets and targeted categories of participants with fewer opportunities in their selection process, if they wish so.
Q: Will application for KA171 be circulated for NA consultation?
A: Yes, the KA171 Application Form will be presented together with the 2022 Call AF.
Q: For traineeships under KA171 should HEIs do an IIA as well?
A: IIA is not compulsory for non-academic partners.
KA131 and KA171:
Q: How to check if the same partnership is activated upon KA131 and 171? Would it be a problem related with double funding risk?
A: Double funding risk is not different now than under the previous programme (e.g. HEIs could add the same mobilities in different projects). NAs are responsible to check for risk but we do not consider that the risk of double funding would be big in the case of KA131/KA171. Also, same partner does not mean double funding.
Q: Concerning consultation of PG2022, could you inform us when to wait for the references for the international dimension in HE, in order to complete our feedback?
A: The text was already sent for consultation to NAs last week and deadline for feedback is next week.
IMPLEMENTATION Q&A
KA171 specific:
Q: How will KA171 budget calculation work for NAs, since its composition has become much more volatile (several top-ups etc., to be indicated at appl. stage)?
A: These challenges were partially addressed but there is no ideal solution the way the budget is structured. We know that some NAs were keeping funds aside in case they needed to support participants from disadvantaged backgrounds, with special needs, etc., which could continue as practice in the current programme period.
Q: Inclusion support for 171 both top up and real cost?
A: Yes, the same funding rules apply as for KA131.
Q: Any info about future budget transfer rules in KA171? For instance, will it be allowed to transfer funds between partner countries in the same envelope?
A: With the new regional approach, HEIs commit to a number of mobilities per region. When the project is approved, flows can change within the region among the countries with approved flows. Flexibility will be allowed for NAs and beneficiaries (e.g. transfer OS to travel, transfer 10% of each envelope to another before allocation to match national reality).
Q: KA171 will keep the name of ICM or do you have already thought other name?
A: This is under discussion.
KA131 and KA171:
Q: Concerning the staff training mobility: exclusion of private sector (public and private organisations) applies also to KA131international or only to KA171?
A: KA131 allows staff mobility in any organization, which is relevant for staff to develop competencies so international companies can be relevant. In KA171 outgoing staff can go on mobility for training in HEIs in partner countries, but not to enterprises and other organisations in partner countries.
Q: Do I understand well that for outgoing students, a partial zero-grant is possible under KA131, but not under KA171?
A: Yes.
Q: Are NAs allowed to define different target groups for „participants with fewer opportunities“ in KA131(international) and NA171? P.e.: students with children under ka131 and working students in KA171?
A: The Inclusion and Diversity Strategy outlines possible groups under the definition of fewer opportunities, but of course NAs can give instructions to HEIs based on national realities and national legislations. Under normal circumstances, any participant with certain characteristics under the “fewer opportunities” definition should be eligible for support for both KA131 and KA171.
