KA122 in Context: Hosting Institutions at the Center
KA122 Mobility Projects place hosting organisations at the heart of Erasmus+ mobility, enabling high-quality learning experiences across Europe and the USA. A strong hosting offer supports partner institutions’ learning outcomes while expanding your own international reach.
- Benefit from a structured framework to host students and staff with defined supervision, facilities, and learning opportunities.
- Strengthen international networks that support research, innovation, and curriculum development.
- Enhance staff development and teaching capacity through cross-border exchanges.
- Strengthen visibility and strategic positioning within your region and sector.
- Contribute to inclusive mobility by planning accessible, safe, and supportive learning environments.
Your hosting capacity should align with strategic goals, institutional capacity, and the needs of partner institutions. Start with a clear value proposition and a realistic plan for supervision and outcomes.
| Mobility type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Student mobility for studies | Academic placements and language support vary by partner |
| Student mobility for traineeship | Work-based learning aligned with host capacity |
| Staff mobility for teaching | Teaching exchanges aligned with curricula and recognition |
| Staff mobility for training | Professional development with actionable outcomes |
- 1Inventory hosting capacity
Assess supervision capacity, facilities, language support, and accessibility.
- 2Design KA122 offers
Define mobility types you can host and the learning outcomes you can guarantee.
- 3Partner outreach
Map potential sending institutions and establish initial contact mechanisms.
- KA122 Mobility Projects
- Erasmus+ action enabling mobility of learners and staff between participating organisations.
- Hosting institution
- A partner organisation that receives learners or staff under KA122.
- Learning Agreement
- A document describing expected learning outcomes, supervision, and assessment for a participant.
Eligibility and Roles for Hosting Institutions
To participate in KA122 as a hosting organisation, you must meet criteria defined in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and establish robust collaboration with sending partners.
- Be recognised as a legal entity able to sign grant agreements and mobility contracts.
- Demonstrate capacity to supervise, assess, and recognise learning outcomes.
- Have formal cooperation arrangements with at least one sending institution in an eligible programme country.
- Maintain appropriate safeguarding, equal opportunity, and accessibility policies.
- Provide accurate reporting and financial management for the project period.
Clarity on roles and governance reduces risk and helps partners align expectations from the outset.
| Criterion | What it means | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Be legally registered and eligible to sign agreements | Provide official registration and signatories |
| Partnership capacity | Active cooperation with sending institutions | Signed cooperation agreements |
| Quality assurance capacity | Ability to supervise and assess mobility participants | Staff assignments and procedures |
- 1Confirm eligibility
Verify legal status, capacities, and partnership readiness.
- 2Establish governance
Assign clear responsibilities for coordinating mobility, finance, and reporting.
- 3Formalise partnerships
Create or renew cooperation agreements with sending institutions.
- 4Set up implementation processes
Define supervision, learning agreements, and recognition procedures.
- Beneficiary
- A participant in KA122 receiving support through the funding mechanism.
- Partner organisation
- An organisation that collaborates with the hosting institution in the project.
Funding Landscape for KA122 in 2026
Funding under KA122 is organised around unit costs and project grants that cover mobility activities. Amounts are defined in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and are updated yearly.
- Unit costs vary by country and activity, and are defined in the grant agreement.
- Funding typically covers travel, subsistence, and some mobility-related costs; indirect costs rules apply.
- Financial management must follow the rules set in the grant agreement and reporting obligations.
- Budget planning should anticipate variations by participant group and duration, as defined in the project grant terms.
- Co-financing is not typically a requirement beyond ensuring compliance with funding rules.
Work with your finance team early to map eligible costs, plan cash flows, and ensure auditable accounts.
| Component | Definition |
|---|---|
| Student mobility costs | Travel, living allowance, insurance as applicable |
| Staff mobility costs | Travel, per diem, visas, and related support |
| Project management costs | Coordination, reporting, and evaluation overhead |
| Indirect costs | Non-specific overhead contributions (as allowed) |
- 1Identify mobility types
Choose which mobility activities you will sponsor.
- 2Check unit costs rules
Review how costs are calculated for your country and activity.
- 3Draft a funding plan
Outline budget lines for participants, staff, and indirect costs.
- 4Prepare financial controls
Set up reporting templates and audit-readiness processes.
- Unit costs
- Predefined, fixed amounts used to reimburse mobility-related costs.
- Direct costs
- Costs directly linked to a mobility activity (e.g., travel, accommodation).
- Indirect costs
- Flat-rate contribution toward overheads or consortium management, as defined.
The KA122 Application Timeline and Process
KA122 follows an annual cycle. Successful hosting institutions engage early, align with sending partners, and prepare robust project documentation.
- Form a stable partnership with one or more sending institutions early in the cycle.
- Develop the hosting offer and draft the Learning Agreement and supervision plan.
- Submit the application within the defined window through the national agency or the EC platform.
- If approved, sign the Grant Agreement and implement the mobility activities.
- Monitor progress and prepare interim and final reporting and audits.
A proactive, well-documented application reduces evaluation risk and helps safeguard ongoing mobility activities.
| Milestone | Typical timing (year) | Who is involved |
|---|---|---|
| Partnership setup | Ahead of cycle window | Hosting and sending organisations |
| Application preparation | Months before submission | Project coordinators |
| Submission and evaluation | Cycle window | National agencies / EC |
| Grant signature and start mobility | Shortly after approval | All partners |
- 1Partnership design
Draft partner agreements and define responsibilities.
- 2Offer development
Outline mobility types, outcomes, and support structures.
- 3Documentation
Prepare Learning Agreements, supervision plans, and recognition policies.
- 4Submission
Submit your application in the annual cycle.
- 5Implementation and reporting
Carry out activities and complete required reports.
- Grant Agreement
- Legal document detailing funding, obligations, and reporting rules.
- Interim report
- Periodic progress report on mobility activities and use of funds.
Quality Requirements: What Host Organisations Must Deliver
Quality lies at the core of KA122. You must provide structured learning opportunities, clear supervision, and recognition of learning outcomes.
- Publish and implement a robust Learning Agreement and a suitable mobility agreement.
- Offer appropriate supervision, mentorship, and language support when needed.
- Ensure accessibility, safeguarding, and equal opportunities for all participants.
- Provide clear recognition and credit for completed learning experiences.
- Document progress, outcomes, and feedback for continuous improvement.
A strong quality framework reduces risk, increases partner confidence, and supports successful mobility flows.
| Aspect | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Learning outcomes | Aligned with curricula and partner expectations |
| Supervision | Defined roles and monitoring mechanisms |
| Accessibility | Compliant with equal opportunities standards |
| Recognition | Clear credit and transcript procedures |
- 1Setup supervision and recognition
Assign supervisors and define recognition pathways.
- 2Learning outcomes alignment
Ensure outcomes map to curricula and partner expectations.
- 3Safeguarding and accessibility
Adopt inclusive practices and safety measures for all participants.
- 4Evaluation and feedback
Implement instruments to capture impact and learnings.
- Learning Agreement
- Document detailing expected learning outcomes and supervision.
- Recognition
- Official acknowledgement of learning outcomes within the participant's curriculum.
Mobility Logistics: Hosting Specifics you Should Prepare
Logistics determine the participant experience. Thoughtful planning minimizes risk and maximises learning.
- Accommodation and local support for students and staff.
- Health insurance, visa and residence arrangements where applicable.
- Orientation, language support, and safety planning.
- Access to facilities, transport, and remote-learning options if needed.
- Clear points of contact within the host institution.
Effective logistics reduce friction and enable smoother learning journeys for participants and hosts alike.
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Confirm options and accessibility |
| Insurance | Verify coverage and claim processes |
| On-site support | Assign mobility coordinator and contact points |
| Orientation | Provide welcome agenda and resources |
- 1Plan accommodation and logistics
Secure housing options, accessibility, and safety measures.
- 2Visa and residence support
Provide guidance and document templates for necessary permits.
- 3Pre-departure and orientation
Develop an onboarding plan and initial learning activities.
- 4On-site support
Assign a mobility coordinator and point of contact.
- Mobility Agreement
- Document detailing roles, responsibilities, and support during mobility.
- Learning outcomes recognition
- Process by which host institutions certify and credit learning.
Evaluation, Reporting, and Governance in KA122
Governance and reporting ensure accountability and continuous improvement. Regular progress checks and a final review are required.
- Provide interim progress reports on mobility activities and use of funds.
- Complete final reports detailing outcomes and impact.
- Maintain auditable financial records and documentation.
- Share lessons learned to inform future cycles.
- Engage in monitoring and quality assurance activities when requested.
A robust reporting culture supports transparency and helps demonstrate the value of mobility for all partners.
| Report type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Progress report | Update on mobility activities and budget usage |
| Final report | Comprehensive outcome and financial closure |
| Audit file | Evidence package for financial controls and compliance |
- 1Set reporting cadence
Define interim and final reporting timelines.
- 2Prepare required documents
Compile progress, financial, and performance data.
- 3Verify compliance
Ensure alignment with grant terms and funding rules.
- 4Close-out and audit readiness
Complete close-out activities and prepare for potential audits.
- Administrative burden
- Documentation and reporting obligations associated with funding.
- Audit
- Independent review of finances and compliance with grant terms.
Case Study: A Hosting Institution’s KA122 Journey
A mid-sized university located in Europe expanded its KA122 hosting capacity by building a formal partnership with three sending universities and establishing a dedicated mobility team.
- Step 1: Mapped internal capacity and identified suitable learning areas.
- Step 2: Signed cooperation agreements and created a mobility support team.
- Step 3: Implemented Learning Agreements and a robust onboarding program.
- Step 4: Monitored mobility and integrated outcomes into curricula for recognition.
Key lessons included early partner alignment, clear supervision roles, and ongoing visibility of participant progress to the whole academic community.
- 1Partnership design
Co-create expectations and governance with sending institutions.
- 2Offer development
Align host capacity with learning outcomes and curriculum maps.
- 3Implementation
Deliver supervision, orientation, and recognition activities.
- 4Evaluation
Collect feedback and integrate improvements for next cycle.
- Mobility supervision
- Structured guidance and evaluation during the mobility period.
What to Do Next: Turning Interest into a KA122 Partnership
If you’re ready to explore KA122 hosting, start by engaging with your networks and the KA122 offering through official channels. The next step is to connect with sending partners and a KA122-focused hosting page to begin formal discussions.
- Map potential partner institutions and assess mutual learning goals.
- Prepare a concise hosting offer and a draft supervision plan.
- Reach out to sending partners to explore mobility opportunities and schedules.
- Consult your national agency or the KA122 information page for country-specific steps.
Ready to begin? Start with your institution’s KA122 pathway via our institutional resources and contact points. You can begin discussions with a partner now and use the KA122 materials to shape your proposal.
- 1Identify initial partners
Choose universities or organisations you want to collaborate with.
- 2Create an offers document
Draft your hosting offer, supervision plan, and recognition pathway.
- 3Initiate contact
Reach out to potential sending institutions and discuss mobility formats.
- 4Access KA122 resources
Visit the KA122 hosting pages and the wider Erasmus+ programme materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Continue exploring
Pages on the Piktalent site that go deeper on the topics covered above.
Destinations covered in this article
Related guides and resources
- KA122 overview for institutionsMain page for institutions exploring KA122 options
- KA121/KA122 Mobility servicesDirect route to mobility services and support
- Destinations and partnersExplore host destinations and partner opportunities
- Student and staff mobility resourcesResources for participants and host sites
- Contact usGet in touch for partnerships or inquiries
References
Official sources cited in this article. All links open in a new tab.
- Erasmus+ Programme Guide — European Commission
- KA122 information (EACEA) — EACEA
- Eurostat — Eurostat
- CEDEFOP — CEDEFOP
- OECD Education — OECD
About the authors
Piktalent Editorial — Erasmus+ mobility practitioners since 2009
This guide is written by the Piktalent editorial and placements team. Piktalent is the mobility brand of The Student Mobility Group, which has organised international internships and Erasmus+ traineeships since 2009. We place students with host companies across Europe and the USA, sign the learning agreements, vet the hosts and support participants on the ground — so the procedures described here are the ones we run ourselves, not a summary of other websites.
Why we can write about this
- •Operating since 2009 as The Student Mobility Group; Piktalent since 2023.
- •Erasmus+ KA131, KA171, KA121 and KA122 mobilities handled end to end for sending institutions.
- •Host-company vetting, learning agreements, accommodation, insurance and in-country support in 30+ countries.
- •Direct daily contact with national agencies, host employers, universities and VET providers.
How this article is verified
- •Every factual claim is checked against a primary source — EU institutions, national agencies, ministries or official statistics — before publication.
- •Figures, fees and deadlines are re-checked at the verification date shown at the top of the article.
- •Procedures are cross-checked against the cases our placements team handled in the last 12 months.
- •Corrections are welcome: write to us and we update the guide with the date changed.
Institutional sources we work from
The official references behind our careers, skills and mobility guidance. Each opens on the issuing institution's own domain.
- ESCOEuropean skills & occupations classification
- EuropassOfficial CV and skills profile tools
- CEFRCouncil of Europe language levels (A1–C2)
- EURESLiving and working conditions across Europe
- EurostatEmployment statistics for recent graduates
- Erasmus+ Programme GuideRules, eligibility and funding for every key action
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