The multi-phase tendering procedure of the Virtual University of Bavaria (vhb):

1. Notice of requirements: At least two member universities define a net based course which they undertake to introduce as a compulsory or elective part of one of their degree programmes and which will lead to a quantifiable reduction in face-to-face teaching. For each notice of requirements one member university acts as the principal partner of the consortium (further details).
2. Selection: The steering committee on the recommendation of the programme committee selects from among notices of requirements received by the official deadline those projects that may be considered for support. Preference is given to those proposals that because of their obligatory integration into the curricula of degree programmes /modules will be used by a large circle of students in their core curriculum and advanced studies at the greatest possible number of member universities or to those proposals that enable new programmes of study (also with, if necessary, low student numbers) to be established, as they reduce the need to offer courses that require face-to-face teaching. The applicant universities may not offer or plan to offer a parallel face-to-face course of a similar nature in the given degree programme/module. The new net based courses must be open beyond the circle of applicant universities to students of all member universities.
3. Task description: The task descriptions form the basis for tendering. As an alternative to the creation of a new course an existing net based course can with the consortium’s consent be licensed by the vhb
4. Bids: Bids can also be made by members of the consortium. In justifiable cases the same university can be the principal partner of a consortium and project leader (further information).