Short-Term Student Mobility: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs)
About the Programme
Besides the long-term mobility opportunities for studies and for traineeships the Erasmus+ programme provides short-term mobilities for students – the Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs).
BIPs are short, intensive programmes that use innovative ways of learning and teaching, including the use of online cooperation. Every BIP combines a virtual learning component with a short-term physical mobility to the University, which is hosting the BIP.
VUM full-time students, who have completed at least 1 semester at VUM by the BIP start date, have a sufficient level of the language of instruction used at the BIP (minimum B1) and are familiar with Erasmus+ Student Charter can apply for participation in BIPs in the course of the academic year by contacting the VUM Mobility Team at erasmus@vum.bg.
In addition to the opportunities promoted by VUM (the complete list can be found here), interested students are also encouraged to browse the open BIP Database for more options. Once they find a programme relevant to their field of studies, they shall submit their applications to erasmus@vum.bg.
The application process involves two steps:
- The applicants submit a completed application form to erasmus@vum.bg according to the application rounds mentioned below
- An Interview with the eligible candidates at the International Cooperation Department
For the academic year 2026/2027, one student can attend a maximum of one Blended Intensive Programme per academic year.
BIP Аpplication rounds in the academic year 2026/2027:
- From 30 September to 30 October 2026 – for BIPs taking place in the first and the second semester of the academic year 2026/2027.
The applications will be processed, and interviews with the eligible applicants will be conducted at the end of October and the beginning of November 2026. - From 25 January to 25 February 2027 (if the available funding hasn’t been exhausted in the first round) – for BIPs taking place in the second semester of the academic year 2026/2027.
The applications will be processed, and interviews with the eligible applicants will be conducted at the end of January and the beginning of February 2027.
- From 30 September to 30 October 2026 – for BIPs taking place in the first and the second semester of the academic year 2026/2027.
Students who successfully complete the internal application process at VUM will be nominated by the VUM International Cooperation Department to the BIP hosting institution. Students who have applied directly to the hosting institutions cannot be guaranteed a mobility, as they are subject to the mandatory general selection procedures.
Important! Before applying to a given programme, students must ensure that the BIP’s field of study corresponds to their field of study at VUM. Moreover, it is the student’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with and carefully read all the information related to the BIP(s) applied for, including the topic and description of the programme, participant profile prerequisites, activity dates and venues, financial conditions, etc. None of the the BIP conditions and requirements of the receiving institution are subject to negotiation.
To ensure the added value of every mobility, please note that students can be supported in attending maximum one short-term mobility program in a given university.
Erasmus+ mobility grant
For attending the physical mobility component of each BIP, students receive an Erasmus+ mobility grant aimed at supporting them partially cover their expenses made to take part in the mobility. Approved participants receive individual support grant on the amount of 79 EUR per day for the activity days + 2 additional travel days.
In addition, students can receive travel support for the distance travelled from the Sending to the Receiving institution as calculated by the Distance Calculator. Students must keep all their travel documents (boarding passes from the flights and bus/train tickets) to prove the eligibility for receiving travel support grant.
| Travel distance | Green travel* | Non-Green travel |
|---|---|---|
10 – 99 km | 56 EUR | 28 EUR |
100 – 499 km | 285 EUR | 211 EUR |
500 – 1 999 km | 417 EUR | 309 EUR |
2 000 – 2 999 km | 535 EUR | 395 EUR |
3 000 – 3 999 km | 785 EUR | 580 EUR |
4 000 – 7 999 km | 1188 EUR | 1188 EUR |
8 000 + km | 1735 EUR | 1735 EUR |
* Green travel refers to using sustainable means of transport (bus, train or carpooling) for the whole travel from the Sending to the Receiving institution and back. Students who wish to apply for travel support for Green travel shall fill in a Declaration of Honour and submit it to the Erasmus mobility office before signing their Grant agreement.
VUM implements the Erasmus+ programme by fully acting in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which prohibits any discrimination based on sex, race, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.