Information for Guests

Since 2018, international guests from teaching, research and practice have been coming to HSBI for one week in May to share their international perspectives on all campuses. They participate in research projects, hold lectures and workshops and present their home universities. There is no overarching main topic for the IW. Instead, guests can contribute to the topics that are currently relevant to the hosting faculty/department. The IW programme is rounded off with numerous information offers on stays abroad and activities organised by international students.

You can attend the International Week if you are invited by a host at HSBI to participate in a research project, to contribute to a course with an international input in German or English or to do a job shadowing.

Participation is possible on site at HSBI’s campuses (Bielefeld, Minden, Gütersloh) or virtually. You can attend the entire International Week (18–22 May 2026) or on individual days only.

There is a small accompanying programme organised by HSBI’s International Office that makes it possible for you to learn more about HSBI and Germany. However, IW’s focus is on your contribution to courses and research projects and international exchange. You are also welcome to attend lectures held by other international guests. In addition, we will provide tips for further activities in HSBI’s surroundings, so that you can get to know Germany better.

You organise your arrival, accommodation and departure yourself. The organising team provides travel information and a list of accommodation options for Bielefeld, Gütersloh and Minden.

In the overview of visa requirements or exemptions, you can check whether you need a visa to enter Germany. For stays up to 90 days, apply for a so-called "Schengen visa" at the German diplomatic mission in your home country or country of residence. Visa processing may take several weeks or even months. Therefore, you should apply for a visa as early as possible.

If you attend the IW virtually, HSBI will not provide any funding.

If you participate in the IW on site, you have the following options:

1. Home Institution
   In many cases, your home institution is able to fund your visit. For instance, if you come from a country participating in the Erasmus+ programme, you can apply for funding for a staff mobility at your home institution. Contact your home institution's International Office / Erasmus+ coordinator to learn more. Your home institution will arrange the payment.
   
   
2. Honorarium from HSBI (only for research and/or teaching)
   If your home university cannot fund your visit, you will receive a honorarium from HSBI (International Office) for participating in a research activity or teaching in a regular course taking place during the IW:
   • Honorarium for guests from within Europe: €400 + €85 per day of participation
   • Honorarium for guests from outside Europe: €1,000 + €85 per day of participation
   • Honorarium for international guests residing in Germany: Travel expenses by train (2nd class) + €85 per day of participation
   • The possible days of participation are 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 May 2026. If you receive a honorarium, you will need to submit your travel tickets/hotel bills as proof of the days on which you have attended. The International Office will arrange the payment of honoraria in May/June 2026 after the end of the IW. Guests receiving honoraria will not receive any additional reimbursement for travel or hotel costs.

Please note: We try to enable as many people as possible to participate, but we only have a limited budget for honoraria. Therefore, please let us know through the registration form if you can finance your stay through a grant (e.g., Erasmus+) or funds from your home institution and do not require a honorarium. If we reach the budget limit, we will ask the faculties/hosts with the most guests to check for alternative funding options or to decide which of their guests will not receive a honorarium.

You will receive a digital flyer from your host with a link to the registration form. Please fill in your personal data and state on which days you would like to participate in the IW. Registration is possible until 4 January 2026. The IW organising team then reviews the incoming applications with regard to export control (see ‘Note on export control’ below) and financing options.

You and your host will receive feedback on the registration by the end of January. If it was successful, you will receive an official invitation letter from HSBI as well as information on further planning and organisation of the IW. The invitation letter is, for example, needed for visa applications. For guests coming from a sanctioned country, feedback may take longer.