GrantRadar

UK-German Connection

Partnership Visit Fund

Grants of normally up to £1,000 (up to 75% of costs) from UK-German Connection for UK schools, FE colleges and youth groups to send 1-3 staff, and 2-3 young people with a planning role, on a visit to a partner school or youth group in Germany to set up, revive or develop a partnership. The focus must be planning joint activities between young people from both countries within a year. Rolling deadline, but applications must arrive at least six weeks before travel; funding principles change for activity from 1 April 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £1,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Coordinators and heads of primary, secondary and SEN schools and FE colleges in the UK, and UK youth groups
  • Schools, colleges and youth groups must be registered and/or belong to an accredited organisation
  • Local clusters of institutions are welcome
  • The application must be made by the travelling institution, with the agreement of the German partner and the support of both heads of institution; all travelling staff must have an active role in the future of the partnership
  • Town-twinning visits only count within a school or youth partnership (a coordinating organisation may apply on the group's behalf if necessary)
  • German partners apply separately through UK-German Connection's German programme

What it funds

Planning visits (normally 3-5 days) to Germany to:

  • Plan a new UK-German partnership where contact is already established
  • Revive or develop an existing partnership (e.g. new subject areas)
  • Bring new staff into a partnership where the main coordinator has left
  • Visits must include partnership planning activities and focus on joint interactive activities between young people from both countries starting within a year; recce activities are allowed with a strong educational/skills focus
  • Eligible costs:
  • Travel and transport
  • Accommodation and subsistence
  • Joint activities including excursions
  • Partners' costs for joint activities while you are in Germany
  • Materials and room hire
  • Visa costs
  • Virtual/digital activities (hardware/software, no more than 75% of the cost of any such items)

Up to 25% of the grant can go on organisational support such as supply cover, postage and insurance.

Normally up to £1,000 and up to 75% of total eligible costs; more in exceptional cases (e.g. very remote locations or challenging circumstances).

What it will not fund

  • Visits based solely on teachers' professional development
  • Unilateral (one-sided) activities without a partner institution
  • Multilateral events where numerous nationalities and groups come together
  • Activities with a tourist focus, or language courses
  • Performance tours, festivals, camps or sports tournaments
  • Activities which aim to make a financial profit
  • Applications submitted after the visit has taken place
  • Institutions already receiving support for the same activity from one of UK-German Connection's partner organisations
  • More than 75% of total visit costs (except in exceptional cases)

How to apply

  1. Read the Partnership Visit Fund guidelines and the funding application help page
  2. Optionally register your planned activity using the project outline form
  3. Download and complete the application form (PDF) and the project costings form (Excel), with input from your German partner
  4. Email both to funding@ukgermanconnection.org, copying your German partner coordinator and your head of institution
  5. You are normally told the outcome within three weeks; if approved, formally accept the grant (agreements and payments are made via the British Council)
  6. 75% of the grant is paid before the trip; send a short report and financial reconciliation within four weeks of the visit to receive the remaining 25%

Applications must be received at least six weeks before the visit - apply earlier if you need the first payment before travelling.

Funding principles change for all activity from 1 April 2027; new guidelines are due in autumn 2026.

Q&A webinars are available, and the team will arrange a call to discuss ideas.

Have ready

  • Completed Partnership Visit Fund application form
  • Completed project costings form
  • A short statement from your partner school or youth group (part of the application)

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