Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)
Table of contents
“Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)” is a format that enables students and staff to gain international experience through a cooperative teaching and learning exchange. Each BIP is jointly organized by several universities and combines a short physical mobility with a mandatory virtual component. The duration of the physical mobility is a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 30 days.
BIPs have existed in Erasmus+ since 2021. From June 2025, BIPs will be funded under the Swiss-European Mobility Program (SEMP), the Swiss solution for Erasmus+.
On this website, UZH staff involved in organizing a BIP (i.e. “BIP organizers”) can find information about BIP funding at UZH, as well as related procedures and requirements.
Students participating in a BIP can find more information on the website for BIP outgoing students.
Requirements for a BIP at UZH or with UZH participation
- A consortium of at least three universities from at least threeEuropean SEMP program countries (PDF, 46 KB).
- A physical stay of at least 5 and up to 30 days with a minimum of 10 mobile participants (Note: Local students do not count as mobile participants and are not included in the minimum number of 10).
- A virtual component/collaboration among all participants
- Awarding at least 3 ECTS credits
- Conclusion of a corresponding agreement for the BIP
Note: In addition to SEMP-BIP, UZH can also participate in an Erasmus+ BIP. In this case, important restrictions apply: UZH does not count toward the minimum number of organizing universities in the consortium and can only act as a sending university. UZH participants do not count toward the minimum number of participants. Funding for mobile participants and lecturers involved in an Erasmus+ BIP remains possible through SEMP.
How is a BIP organized? Different roles in a BIP
Using the example of a consortium of three participating universities, the following role distribution is possible in a BIP:
- One coordinating (usually hosting) university
- At least two partner universities (usually sending universities)
In a SEMP-BIP, UZH can act either as the coordinating university or as a partner university. Depending on the setup, the procedures, effort, and deadlines for submitting an application vary.
Note: In an Erasmus+ BIP, UZH can only participate as a partner university in the consortium, not as the coordinating university.
Role of UZH as coordinating university: funding and responsibilities
The coordinating university is responsible for planning and implementing the BIP.
Usually, the coordinating university is also the hosting university.
For organizing and implementing the BIP, the coordinating university receives so-called SEMP organizational funds. Additionally, in a SEMP-BIP, the short-term physical mobility of incoming students can be funded with SEMP grants.
UZH as coordinating university: What is funded?
Organisational support for mobility (OS)
The coordinating university receives “organisational support for mobility” (OS) through the SEMP program to support the additional effort involved in preparing, developing, and implementing the program, as well as for general administration and coordination of the BIP (both physical and virtual parts). The amount of OS depends on the number of mobile participants. The corresponding share of OSis transferred to the BIP organizers by Global Student Experience (GSE) after the BIP is completed.
Individual funding for mobile participants
A special feature of SEMP-BIPs is that UZH, as the coordinating university, can financially support the short-term physical mobility of incoming students with a grant:
- Students: Grants for SEMP BIP Incoming
- Lecturers: Grants for SEMP Staff Mobility for Teaching Assignment Incoming
Important for organizing a BIP at UZH:
- Incoming participants must be registered at UZH and therefore nominated in time by Global Student Experience (GSE). GSE will then inform the nominated students about the registration process.
- To award ECTS credits, the BIP must be offered as a module in the course catalog. Early coordination with the relevant faculty contacts is essential.
Role distribution between BIP organizer and Global Student Experience (GSE)
A fact sheet outlining the role distribution will be published soon.Would you like to organize a BIP as the coordinating unit? Please fill out the application form “For BIP Organizers: UZH as Coordinating University,” see the “Application Process” section.
Role of UZH as sending partner university: funding and responsibilities
If UZH participates in a BIP consortium as a sending partner university, the short-term physical mobility of UZH outgoing students can be funded with SEMP grants. After students are nominated by Global Student Experience (GSE), they will be informed about the necessary steps and deadlines.
Important to note: Awarding at least 3 ECTS credits is a prerequisite for SEMP funding. Questions about credit transfer must be clarified early with the relevant faculty offices.
UZH as sending partner university: What is funded?
As a sending university, UZH can financially support the physical stay of students and lecturers with a grant:
- Students: Grants for SEMP-BIP Outgoing
- Lecturers: Grants for SEMP-Staff Mobility for Teaching Assignment Outgoing
The awarding and payment of grants to students and staff is handled by GSE.
Role distribution between BIP organizer and Global Student Experience
A fact sheet outlining the role distribution will be published soon.
Would you like to be a consortium partner in a BIP where the short-term physical mobility will not take place at UZH? Please fill out the application form “BIP Organizers – UZH as Sending Partner University,” see the “Application Process” section.
Application process and overview
To ensure your BIP is considered for financial support, please contact us as early as possible. Note the following deadlines:
- UZH as coordinating university: Submit the application form "BIP Organizers – UZH as Coordinating University" by December 15 2025 at the latest, if you plan to coordinate a BIP for the period June 1 2026 - July 31 2027.
- UZH as sending partner university: Submit the application form "BIP Organizers – UZH as Sending Partner University" by February 15 2026 at the latest, if you plan to participate as a sending partner in a BIP for the period June 1 2026 - July 31 2027. A later application is generally possible up to three months before the BIP begins, but the chances of funding are lower due to limited resources.
Prerequisite for application consideration: The BIP consortium must be formed, and the key details of the BIP must be defined.
If a funding application can be considered, Global Student Experience (GSE) offers an informational meeting to discuss the next steps, deadlines, responsibilities, and tips for managing the BIP.
Important: Additional funds for organizing a BIP can be requested in 2025 as part of the annual global_innovation call from the University Teaching Fund (ULF). If you are planning to submit a parallel application to the University Teaching Fund, please mention this in the comments section.
