The role of the DAAD in LEONARDO DA VINCI

The role of the German Academic Exchange Service

The EU programme LEONARDO DA VINCI promotes European cross-border cooperation between various players such as universities and enterprises in an effort to increase transnational mobility and improve the quality of training and education by way of fostering skills development through transnational traineeships. At the moment, 31 countries participate in this EU programme. The programme is implemented in each participating country through National Agencies (Link to NA). More information on facts and figures on the EU programme see press release of the European Commission:http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/news/ip/news_en.html

In Germany, the DAAD is part of the National Ageny structure responsible for mobility projects in the area of Higher education. These projects provide for students’ and graduates’ traineeship in enterprises in Europe for a period from three to twelve months. The students/graduates receive a LEONARDO DA VINCI grant to cover partly their stay abroad as well as travel costs and intercultural and linguistic preparation. As the EU grant only covers part of the trainee’s expenses, the enterprises receiving qualified trainees from abroad are generally expected to contribute to cover part of the costs as well (in kind or cash).

The tasks of the DAAD LEONARDO unit are:

Providing information on the programme Informing in general on the LEONARDO DA VINCI programme and in particular institutions eligible for applying for Higher education mobility projects (e.g. universities, enteprises, etc.) as well as beneficiaries (students/graduates) to the higher education institutions
Councelling eligible institutions for proposal submission (mobility projects for student/graduate placements in enterprises in Europe)
Preparing the selection of projects in the higher education area throug the national selection committee
Contracting successful higher education projects
Giving promoters advice on project management related issues
Monitoring/Evaluating interim and final reports of project promoters
Evaluating and disseminating programme information in the area of higher education mobility
Providing regularyl updated information through this website

If you are interested in receiving further information or in participating in the programme, please contact leonardo@daad.de