What is the Erasmus+ KA171 Program?,
Since 2004, through the Erasmus+ Program, it has been possible for higher education students and staff in Turkey to participate in mobility activities with Programme Countries in Europe (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Serbia) via KA131 projects. As of 2015, with the expansion of the Erasmus+ Program, the scope of this activity has broadened to include mobility with many countries defined as Partner Countries, which are not part of the Programme Countries group.
The KA171 project is a type of Erasmus+ program that enables mobility between Programme Countries and Partner Countries, providing opportunities for higher education students and staff to gain learning and professional experience. This type of mobility is also referred to as International Credit Mobility (ICM) and was previously known as the KA107 project.
How Are KA171 Projects Implemented?
Universities apply to the European Commission for funding under the KA171 scheme. If selected, the institution receives a grant to carry out mobility activities with specific partner countries and institutions. Student and staff mobilities are financially supported through this grant.
Partner Countries are essentially all countries except the 27 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) and the associated Programme Countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey).
When submitting a KA171 project application, the applicant must specify the countries with which mobility is planned and provide the required information in the application form.
What Is the Aim of the KA171 Activity?
The main objectives of the activity are:
to support the personal development and employability of higher education students
to enhance the professional development of staff working in higher education institutions, and to improve the institutional capacity and international dimension of higher education institutions.
Additionally, the activity is designed to:
- support individuals in acquiring skills, competencies, and attitudes,
- strengthen foreign language proficiency,
- increase awareness and understanding of different cultures and countries,
- foster a sense of European citizenship,
- help build international networks,
- and promote the recognition of qualifications gained during periods of study abroad.
What Types of Mobility Are Included in KA171?
There are two types of mobility under this activity:
-
Student Mobility:
Refers to the mobility of higher education students from Turkey to partner countries (non-Programme countries), or from partner countries to Turkey, for study or internship purposes. -
Staff Mobility:
Refers to academic staff teaching at a higher education institution in a partner country, or academic/administrative staff receiving training at a higher education institution in a partner country.
What Are the Project and Activity Durations?
Project duration: 24 or 36 months
Mobility duration:
Students: Minimum 2 months, maximum 12 months
Staff: Minimum 5 days, maximum 2 months