International teaching and learning

As a globally networked institution, Bielefeld University offers various opportunities to facilitate international teaching and learning for both teaching staff and students. Bielefeld University's various partnerships, networks and collaborations provide a wide range of options for different formats.

Possible formats for your teaching

Here you can find an overview of different virtual and physical options you can choose from to integrate internationalisation into your teaching:

• Virtual formats (e.g. Collaborative Online International Learning / COIL)
• Blended formats with virtual and physical components (e.g. blended intensive programmes / BIP)
• Physical mobility (e.g. international teaching stay)

 

Current call: "Qualitätsfonds für die Lehre" - Internationalisation of teaching

Deadline for submission: 4 October 2026

The full call, further information and the assessment criteria can be found on the website of the ‘Quality Fund for Teaching’ (Qualitätsfonds für die Lehre).

As part of this year’s call for proposals, Bielefeld University’s ‘Quality Fund for Teaching’ (Qualitätsfonds für die Lehre) funding programme is inviting applications that focus on the internationalisation of teaching through virtual or blended learning formats (in addition to the general call for innovative teaching projects).

• Funding amount for individual projects: up to €5,000 over the course of one semester
• Funding period: Summer semester 2027 or Winter semester 2027/28
• Teaching projects within NEOLAiA are expressly welcome, but applications from outside the scheme are also encouraged
• no funding available for teaching staff or student mobility

Added value for your teaching

Through international teaching projects and collaborations:

• Expand your academic network and try out innovative teaching formats
• Share your expertise and increase the visibility of your teaching
• Enable students to learn internationally and support them in developing intercultural and digital skills

NEOLAiA network for your teaching

Bielefeld University has been a member of the European university alliance NEOLAiA since 2024. In the NEOLAiA network, teaching staff can flexibly implement their ideas at course level. Develop formats together with teaching staff from our partner universities or participate in teaching projects from the network.

Current call in NEOLAiA for all teaching staff (1 June to 15 July 2026):
NEOTeAch - Implementing digital teaching projects internationally
(next call: 1 November to 15 December 2026)

Ongoing open call in NEOLAiA for all teaching staff:
Teaching internationally

Blog post: 
Bielefeld teachers forge new research links across Europe

Support for international teaching formats