Which countries can participate?
The participating countries are Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Island, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Åland.
How many partners do we need for Nordplus Junior?
Applications for mobility must be submitted by a school and be based on an agreement between a minimum of one coordinating school and one host school from two different participating countries. Network activities and Project activities require at least three institutions from three different countries.
Is our school eligible for a grant?
The target groups of Nordplus Junior are pupils, teachers and other pedagogical staff in: nursery schools, primary/secondary schools, upper secondary schools and vocational schools/apprentice programmes.
Is it possible for a municipality or a local Board of Education to participate in Nordplus Junior?
No. The target groups for Nordplus Junior are pupils, teachers and other pedagogical staff in nursery schools, primary/secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and vocational schools apprentice programmes. You can find Cross-sector activities in Nordplus Horizontal.
Is it possible to apply for funding for a field trip?
No, it is not possible. Within mobility activities there is another alternative; Class exchange: own choice of project work involving two or more classes or groups from at least two countries. The exchange and activities should be of an academic nature and be integrated in the ordinary education activity.
Should both schools, applying for a class exchange, submit separate applications?
No, it is the coordinating school that applies and submits the application.
Who can apply for mobility activities that have been transferred to Nordplus Junior from the former Nordplus programme for Nordic Language and Culture?
New rules apply for the programme period 2012-2016. This makes it possible for all countries participating in Nordplus Junior – including the Baltic Countries – to take part in mobility activities promoting knowledge and understanding of Nordic languages – primarily Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.
What is the roll of a coordinating school?
One of the institutions should act as a network contact (coordinator) when applying for funds. This means that this institution is responsible for the application, for allocation of the grant and for reporting throughout the contract period.
What can a collaboration in an mobility activity be about?
Mobility activities are collaborations designed to bring together children, pupils, teachers and other academic staff in order to teach or study in one or more of the participating Nordplus Junior countries. The theme is a joint decision, and should be linked to the curriculum, and integrated in the ordinary activity.
Our school has a mobility activity within Nordplus Junior since a couple of years. Is it possible for our school to apply for a mobility activity again?
You can apply with the same partner, but you must have another theme. However our priority is schools with no prior experience of Nordplus Junior.
How big is the grant?
The grant for mobility activities is allocated according to set maximum rates for travel and accomodation/board. Nordplus Junior does not grant accomodation grants for pupils. But since 2011 we practice the principle of lump sums for mobility grants which enables schools to use surplus grants also for other costs in the mobility activity – for example to cover costs for accommodation for pupils. This has not been possible before. You will find the rates and more information about lump sums in the handbook.
Do we have to pay back the grant for travel if we find a cheaper ticket than the set rate?
No, if partners in a mobility project manage to finance the minimum number of granted mobilities with less money than granted, they can use the surplus amount for activities important to the mobility project. For example such surplus money could be used to cover accommodation and board expenses for pupils. This has not been possible before in Nordplus Junior.
What types of grants are available for projects and network?
The self financing is 25% of the total approved costs. In addition to cash funding, in-kind contributions, like work hours put in the Nordplus Junior network/project, can be included in the self financing. Applications must include a budget with an overview over the total estimated costs for activities and how it will be financed. The grant may not be used for office equipment, wages or any other expenses linked to the general running of the institution.
Is it possible to apply for mobility activities within a project or a network?
Yes, if the aim or purpose of the project/network includes a class exchange. Activities not defined as mobility activities but project or network/activities may in some cases allow travel costs. These costs are not defined as mobility activities. The applicant should fill in estimated costs for travel/board, and the costs must be met with 25% co-financing.
Is it possible to apply for funding for a preparatory visit?
Yes, grants are available for preparatory visits, the grant includes travel and board, for a maximum of 2 teachers per country for one visit.
Is it possible to apply for preparatory visit more than once a year?
Yes. For preparatory visits there is a second application round in October.
How do we apply?
All application should be submitted electronically through the Application and Report System (ARS). Applications must be submitted by the institution acting as a coordinator for an activity in Nordplus Junior. The other partners must sign a declaration of intent (Letter of Intent) confirming their participation. The declaration should be signed by the appropriate authority of the relevant institution. The Letter of Intent should be printed, signed, scanned and uploaded as an attachment to the application in ARS.
When is the deadline for application?
The dead line for the next application round is March 1st 2012.
