GATE – German Apprenticeship Training Exchange

The Joachim Herz Foundation supports vocational schools nationwide in establishing and maintaining transatlantic partnerships with U.S. colleges. The focus is on promoting exchange programs to strengthen the internationalization of vocational schools and to enhance the linguistic and professional skills of trainees. Eligible to apply are school support associations or school authorities of vocational schools that are already planning or maintaining a partnership with a U.S. college. A prerequisite for funding is a written cooperation agreement, a preliminarily coordinated project plan, and a long-term orientation of the collaboration. Through the Foundation’s extensive network, project managers additionally benefit from annual expert meetings for exchanging best practices and networking with other stakeholders in the field of trainee mobility.

Both start-up and ongoing projects are funded: In the preparation phase, up to €5,000 per year can be applied for to finance visits to the partner college and accompanying preparatory measures. For the first two years after initiation, annual grants of up to €10,000 are available; thereafter, project costs are subsidized up to 50% (max. €5,000). Travel and accommodation costs, networking events, and preparatory expenses are considered eligible expenditures. Applications are accepted year-round during the preparation phase, and by April 30 and November 30 during the implementation phase. Additionally, grant funding for existing partnerships is available at any time. To apply, a written cooperation agreement, a detailed project plan with budget, and the completed application form must be submitted. The initiative thus makes a sustainable contribution to deepening German-American relations in vocational education.