SAiL Grant - Strengthening and Developing International Teaching

TU Braunschweig has set one of its goals to furthering internationalisation in teaching. A carefully planned selection of internationally-oriented instruction in English not only makes the university more attractive for incoming international students and secures our international university partnerships, but also gives all students the chance to optimally prepare themselves for the international job and research markets. For this reason, the development of teaching in English takes centre stage in this round of funding, with a particular focus on the development of English-taught module clusters and the development and expansion of international study programmes.

Line A) Thematic, English-taught module clusters focuses on the bundling of regular, English-language courses into a coherent cluster of courses taking place in a single semester. This enables studying an entire semester (30 ECTS) in English, thus creating a visible and attractive opportunity for study-abroad students. Resources can be shared between departments through interdisciplinary module clusters so that instruction in English can be offered in a manner fitting for the content.

Line B) English-taught study programmes contribute in particular to the development of international competencies of German-speaking students.

The use of the English language as a medium of instruction in conjunction with the digital structures which have already been developed through the project and the learning scenarios and good practices that have already been tested in digital and hybrid spaces give both lines a plethora of new chances and synergies to strengthen internationalisation in teaching.

Funding will go to projects in charge of planning and coordinating measures to develop and expand English-taught module clusters or English-taught study programmes.

The funding period announced here is up to one year, from September 2024 to August 2025.

A deciding feature of projects that will be considered for funding is long-term curricular integration of the project’s results, beyond the end of the funding period. It must be ensured that during the funding period:

• For line A) thematic English-taught module clusters, a coherent range of courses is offered and announced clearly on the website for incoming international students. It must also be ensured that the module cluster will be available long term.
• For line B) English-taught study programmes, in the case of new study programmes, the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Department 16 must be notified and preparations for creating a brief application for the MWK [Ministry of Science and Culture] must be made. In case of the extension of already existing study programmes, it must be clearly recognisable that the measures named in the proposal were implemented and defined goals were reached.

Participation in various thematic discussions as well as a networking and idea sharing event in winter 2024 are required aspects of the funding programme. The project’s plans must also be made visible on the respective project website. The measures will be continuously evaluated via accompanying research by the Department of Further Education and Media  at the Institute for Educational Sciences at TU Braunschweig.

Application deadline: The deadline for proposals is 3 May 2024.

All projects funded by ProDiGI must focus on the (further) development of:

1. Thematic English-taught module clusters or
2. English-taught study programmes

The criteria that will be considered when deciding on the eligibility of your project application are as follows:

For line A) thematic English-taught module clusters:

• a comprehensible and convincing description of the goals and planned measures that the module cluster is based on, how the built cluster will be announced on the website for incoming international students and how the long-term availability of the compilation of courses can be ensured.
• a convincing statement outlining plans for the long-term curricular integration and the guaranteed availability of the range of compilation due to their compatibility of the courses.  

For line B) English-language study programmes:

• an announcement of the plans to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs/Department 16,  if the study programme is new.
• a project proposal outlining the potential and benefit to the students that the new study programme would provide and, for example, a field and needs assessment, results from surveys of graduates etc., made in preparation for a brief application for the MWK [Ministry of Science and Culture].
• Concrete descriptions of goals that should be achieved through the extension of the study programme as well as a comprehensible and realistic milestone plan that considers necessary changes in relation to the point of departure.

Moreover, the following applies to both lines:

• The theme or focus of the module cluster or study programme must be justifiable by its relevance and relation to research focuses and interdisciplinary themes at TU Braunschweig.
• Students should be involved in the quality management of the conceptualisation and realisation of the module clusters or study programmes.
• Your process must have the potential to be applied to other subjects at the university.

Projects that involve the following criteria are particularly desirable candidates for funding:

• Recognisable measures that contribute to the internationalisation of curricula, including those which go beyond teaching in English. This applies to all measures and aspects that are used to bring in meaningful intercultural and international dimensions to the curriculum. This could include the systematic inclusion of international academic literature and case studies, service learning with international aspects or collaboration with international partners while teaching. 
• The involvement of existing digital structures (such as the teaching labs in the departments or materials from the Teaching and Learning for Global Competence online course) as well as analogue support services at TU Braunschweig that support English-language and/or bilingual instruction and the internationalisation of curricula. This can take the form of bilingual screencasts, digital teaching collaborations, AI tools, or cooperative and – when applicable – bilingual lecture notes, for example.
• The interdisciplinarity of the key themes and/or cooperation between various departments and/or international partners.  

The funding period is up to one year. The funding can be used for personnel as follows:

1. The creation of a new or increase of an existing employment position (up to 100%, tariff agreement TVL-E13) to carry out the project. A statement outlining the duties of the role is required. The positions in the project proposed should be filled by 1 September 2024.

In addition,

2.   Student assistants (up to 30 hours per month from September to   December 2024) with a statement outlining the roles’ duties.

Funding for materials of up to max. 2500 euros per project is also available. If granted, material funding must be spent in 2024. Travel costs, technical infrastructure and software would fall under this category, for example. Please provide the amount of these costs as accurately as possible in your proposal. Equipment and expendable materials that are a part of the basic provisions of the department, such as office furniture, PCs, Notebooks, normal office software (MS Office etc.), office supplies, etc., cannot be funded. 

If you are selected for funding, you will also receive:

• Consulting and support oriented specifically towards the needs of your plan (for example: workshops on supporting active collaboration or project support from the International Teaching Lab’s staff)
• Access to support structures offered by the International Teaching Lab (online courses, translation service for teaching materials according to availability) and other cooperating labs.
• Support through centralised and decentralised collaboration with other participants in the funding programme.

Applicants

Applications can be submitted by faculties, departments and teaching staff at TU Braunschweig in coordination with the Dean of Studies from the respective department. A letter of endorsement declaring the Dean’s agreement and their acceptance of administrative responsibility for the positions or material resources is required.

Application

Applications should be submitted to prodigi-ph[at]tu-braunschweig.de by 3 May 2024 (in the form of a searchable PDF file). Please use the application form and the provided letter of endorsement for the Dean’s agreement of support.

The selection process is carried out by an internal selection committee – the Project Board – which is led by the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. The committee is composed of one professorial representative from each of the six faculties, two student representatives and two representatives from the non-professorial teaching staff. This committee will review and evaluate the proposals and reach a decision based on the selection criteria named above.

To support implementation, the module packages and study programs developed in the projects will be scientifically evaluated. The surveys address the developers of the module clusters and study programmes as well as the teachers and students at TU Braunschweig. The evaluation is carried out by the Institute of Educational Science at TU Braunschweig, Department of Further Education and Media.

If your project is selected for funding, you must create a cooperation internal order [Kooperationsinnenauftrag] through the digital research announcement [DiFA] once you have received a letter of allocation. By accepting the possible funding, you agree to give the ProDiGI project management SAP reading privileges. If your project is selected for funding, the financial organisation and its related communications with the foundation will take place through close collaboration with the project assistance of the Project House. The funding terms and conditions set out in the Strengthening University Instruction through Digitalisation funding announcement [Förderbekanntmachung „Hochschullehre durch Digitalisierung stärken“ FBM2020] shall apply to funded projects.

A project report is required at the end of the funding period. This report is one of the requirements set out by the foundation providing the funding. You will receive an outline for the project report. The report will serve as an example and starting point for interdisciplinary transfer within TU Braunschweig.  By accepting funding, you agree (when applicable: on behalf of the project staff) to participate in key events (such as a closing event) and programming from the International Teaching Lab.

I would like to switch my course to English. What legal aspects do I need to consider?

The Lower Saxony Higher Education Act [Niedersächsische Hochschulgesetz - NHG] stipulates that courses and examinations can also be held in foreign languages if this is noted accordingly in the study and examination regulations. Further information on the implementation of English-language teaching at TU Braunschweig can be found in the FAQ 30 ECTS English-language teaching (in German).

Do I have to have a visible module cluster that I can refer to when I apply for Line A?

No. The requirement states that a coherent programme must be created and advertised clearly on the website for incoming students. This can be provided at the end of the funding period you have applied for. You should therefore clearly explain in your application how you plan to achieve this goal.

What does module cluster mean? Can I also apply for funding for the internationalisation of a single course if it can contribute to achieving the 30 ECTS?

Ideally, the module clusters should comprise 30 ECTS or one semester, so that it is ensured that an entire semester can be studied in English. The cohesive “studyability” of English-language courses is crucial. The exact structure (such as the number of courses) depends on the respective departments. However, the conversion of a single course is not sufficient for funding.

Can I get help with planning the English-language module clusters or the degree programme before I submit my application?

You are welcome to contact the International Teaching Lab (internationale-lehre-ph(at)tu-braunschweig.de) with administrative and didactic questions regarding the planning and implementation of English-language courses, module clusters and degree programmes.

What is meant by course compatibility?

A decisive factor for the success of the module clusters is the coherent “studyability” of the courses within a semester, so that incoming students are provided a reliable English-language study programme. The modules contained in the module clusters should be offered reliably and without overlap, as exchange students usually draw up their Learning Agreement a year in advance. The module cluster is particularly attractive if the combined courses are also coherent in terms of content; for example, if they relate to current research priorities at TU Braunschweig.

What is meant by "relevance and relation to research focuses" as one of the funding criteria for both lines?

Since July 2021, TU Braunschweig has been pursuing the strategic approach of holistic development on the path to becoming a university of excellence. The four performance dimensions of (1) Research, (2) Study and Teaching, (3) Transfer and (4) Governance and Administration are consistently linked to the strategically important cross-cutting issues of digitalisation, internationalisation, equality and diversity, and knowledge exchange. You can find more information on this in the University Development Concept 2030.

Can I still apply for this funding line at a later date?

No, the SAiL funding will not be offered in this way again.

Can the application also be written in English?

Of course. On the English ProDiGI website you will find the call for proposals as well as the application form in English.

Is it possible for two institutions from two faculties to apply for a project together or should two separate applications be submitted?

A joint application from two faculties is welcomed. You could then also reference your interdisciplinary cooperation in the application itself.

Is the approval of both Deans of Studies required for a joint project application from two faculties?

In this case, the approval of both Deans of Studies (or offices of academic affairs) is preferred. Formally, it is sufficient if you can show the approval of one Dean and the other Dean is informed of your project.

In the case of a joint application from two institutes, is the budget divided between the two partners or can both apply for the personnel and material resources up to the stated upper limit?

In this funding line, the upper funding limits for personnel and material resources apply per project, not per participating institute.

Our project involves cooperation with an international partner.

... Is it sufficient to state in the application which university and/or which contact person is being cooperated with, or is written confirmation from the partner university required?

It all depends on how certain cooperation already is. If cooperation is only being considered for the time being, this must be expressed in the application. If cooperation is already established, a letter of intent from the partner university is desirable. A brief confirmation of cooperation is then sufficient.

Is the funding period always one year?

No, you can apply for a project duration that makes sense for the realisation of your project plan. However, the funding period may not exceed one year, and all projects must end by 31 August 2025 at the latest.