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Archived - International Academic Mobility (IAM) Initiative - Frequently Asked Questions

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The International Academic Mobility initiative is winding down and will no longer be funded after March 31, 2015. The Government of Canada will continue to provide funding for all current agreements until their completion.

What is the International Academic Mobility (IAM) initiative?
IAM supports consortium-based initiatives which promote academic co-operation and institutional linkages among universities and colleges, including the exchange of expertise in new developments in higher education and training.  Under IAM, Canadian students access learning opportunities abroad at both the undergraduate and graduate level. International placements, including internships, enhance students' skills, knowledge and competencies which better prepares them for work in the global economy.

How does IAM work?
Canadian universities and colleges jointly develop and carry out innovative projects, in collaboration with institutions in other countries, which focus on a particular area or theme in higher education and training. The central element is student mobility and the co-operative activities may include the development of joint courses, curricula and teaching materials which take advantage of new education technologies and distance learning.  Each project comprises an international consortium partnership of at least four institutions.  Projects may also include additional partners such as non-governmental organizations and businesses.

Which countries participate?
At present, HRSDC's IAM initiative supports Canada's participation in two main programs: the Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education and the Canada-European Union Program for Co-operation in Higher Education and Training.

The United States and Mexico participate in the North American Program, and all twenty-seven member states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia) participate in the European Program. 

Who is eligible to apply for funding?
The Program is open to all post-secondary higher education institutions in Canada.  Each country supports its own participating institutions. Government funding is seed money and participating institutions also make financial contributions.  Projects are supported on a multi-year basis with the understanding that the partnership and activities will become sustainable after that period.  Maximum HRSDC support for each project is up to $160,000 under the North American Program and up to $200,000 under the Canada-EU TEP program and $450,000 under the Canada-EU TDP program, which is shared among the Canadian partner institutions.

How are projects selected?
Participating countries issue guidelines and receive common proposals on an annual competitive basis.  Following independent review processes which take place in each country, projects are selected from among those which are highly rated and recommended on all sides.

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Date Modified:
2011-11-09