Joint International Teaching within Circle U.

The University of Vienna invites applications from academic staff who wish to further develop an existing course through collaboration with colleagues from partner universities within the Circle U. Alliance: Aarhus University, University of Oslo, Université Paris Cité, University of Belgrade, UCLouvain, University of Pisa, Humboldt University of Berlin, and King’s College London.

This call addresses UNIVIE colleagues who:

• wish to adapt an existing course (rather than develop a new one from scratch) for the summer semester 2027 or the winter semester 2027/28
• are interested in developing and using methods of joint international teaching and learning
• already have, or are willing to establish, a teaching collaboration with at least one colleague from the Circle U. Alliance (the more the merrier)
• are open to welcoming students from Circle U. universities and creating an international learning experience for all participants 

Applicants are invited to propose a concrete and feasible concept to internationalise an existing course in collaboration with one or more Circle U. partners. This includes, for example:

• integrating joint sessions, guest lectures, and/or co-teaching
• developing and using shared teaching and learning materials
• designing student collaboration, e.g. through interactive participation, mixed project groups, or COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) formats 

The collaboration should integrate the expertise of partner colleagues, for example by:

• presenting their scientific approaches, research methods, or findings
• sharing joint or comparable research results
• offering comparative perspectives on the course topic
• contributing interdisciplinary insights
• enriching the course with new/other teaching or learning material / methods

Applicants must be willing to open their course to students from Circle U. universities. For practical reasons most students will attend the course digitally (or on-site in blocked courses). The number of visiting students can be limited, and a selection process is possible. Admission procedures are in place; the students will receive non-degree student status (“außerordentliche Studierende”) at the University of Vienna for one semester. They will have full access to moodle and u:space. 

Proposals should be designed for ongoing delivery. Courses planned for repeated implementation (with adjustments as needed) will be prioritised over one‑off offerings.

Up to 10 courses will be funded in this call.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• hold an employment contract with the University of Vienna that extends for at least one and a half years from 1 October 2026.
• propose a course that is already included in the course catalogue (New Teacher Training Programme: it is possible to apply for new courses according to the Curriculum)
• have a teaching partner at a Circle U. university
• obtain pre-approval from the relevant study programme director (SPL) 

What is funded?

• €1,500 as a lump sum, such as for preparation, coordination, travel costs, and teaching-related expenses (teaching materials etc.)
• student tutor support (60 working hours in the semester of implementation) 

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• clarity and feasibility of the proposed collaboration
• meaningfulness of cooperation, including suitable teaching methods and the extent to which students can take an active role in an international learning environment
• outcomes and impact, including the number of students reached (both University of Vienna students and guest students from Circle U. partner institutions) and the potential for sustainability and repeat implementation 

The Vice-Rector for Teaching at the University of Vienna will make the final selection of applicants based on these criteria.