Strategically Advancing Digital Teaching
vhb Funding Round 2026
The programmes of the Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern (vhb) provide a valuable extension to your teaching portfolio and can also be used strategically – for example in the context of internationalisation, as bridging courses, or for the implementation of blended learning concepts.
Did you know?
- That you can apply for additional funding from vhb for consultation and support in the context of media-didactic course design or for the media-didactic implementation of your digital learning content on the learning platform (through the FAU Competence Center Education)?
This also applies to the production of learning media (e.g. instructional videos, explainer videos, talking-head lessons, learning podcasts, etc.).
In addition, the vhb Office at the Competence Center Education supports you with further media production as well as with the implementation of your courses on the platform.
Get Support
In addition to financial funding from vhb, FAU offers comprehensive support throughout all phases of project development – from idea generation and proposal submission to implementation and delivery.
The Instructional Designers at the vhb Office (FAU Lehre) provide tailored guidance, both in learning media instructional design and organisational proposal coordination as well as in the conception, content production, technical implementation and course support.
Apply in the Next Funding Round
CLASSIC vhb / OPEN vhb
- 07 April 2026
Deadline for submitting the financial plan and declaration of own contribution to Division H3 (internal FAU deadline)
- 24 April 2026
Deadline for submitting the finalised and signed documents (financial plan, declaration of own contribution, funding application) to the vhb Office at FAU (internal FAU deadline)
- 30 April 2026
Deadline for submission of funding applications to vhb (via the vhb Office)
Further information and required documents can be found on the vhb website:
https://www.vhb.org
SMART vhb
- 15 May 2026
Deadline for submission of funding applications
Further information and documents are also available on the vhb website:
https://www.vhb.org
Further Information:
vhb Office at FAU (FAU Lehre)
E-mail: vhb-office@fau.de
Website: https://www.lehre.fau.de/angebot/vhb-office/
vhb Head Office
E-mail: info@vhb.org
Website: https://www.vhb.org
Good to Know vhb – Three Funding Lines for Your Digital Teaching
To promote higher education in Bavaria, vhb offers a wide range of online courses across various disciplines. These courses are developed and supervised by lecturers at participating institutions. vhb comprises three main funding lines:
CLASSIC vhb – Curriculum-Integrated Online Courses
CLASSIC vhb offers semester-based online courses for enrolled students.
- Students can earn ECTS credits
- Participation is free of charge for students
- Funding of up to €45,000 for development and production
(plus additional funding for FAU Lehre as a media-didactic centre, language versions and tutoring)
OPEN vhb – Open Online Courses
OPEN vhb courses address a broader audience and are also open to external participants.
- Funding of up to €30,000
(plus additional funding for language versions)
SMART vhb – Digital Learning Units
SMART vhb offers 45-minute digital learning units such as lecture videos, interactive modules or e-books.
These are particularly suitable for enriching classroom teaching, deepening subject knowledge or supporting exam preparation – for example within blended learning or flipped classroom formats.
- Funding of up to €2,000 per learning unit
Recognition of Credits
CLASSIC vhb courses enable students to earn ECTS credits, which are recognised by participating institutions and contribute to fulfilling degree requirements.
Further information can be found in the respective course descriptions within the CLASSIC vhb course programme.