Georgia Tech-PRIME-ESST Exchange Agreement

Georgia Tech has an exchange agreement for the PRIME Masters Certificate Program with ESST and five of the European universities participating in the PRIME program:
	Aalborg University, Denmark
	Roskilde University Center, Denmark
	Instituto Superior de Economica e Gestao, University of Lisbon, Portugal
	University of Twente, Netherlands
	Polytechnicum de Marne la Vallée, Paris, France

Georgia Tech students following the "PRIME track" can apply to any of the above universities to pursue their second study semester in Europe. Additionally, through the agreement with ESST, Georgia Tech students may also apply for second semester study in Europe at other universities that will offer second semester studies.

For a Georgia Tech student seeking to study abroad, a tuition waiver at the PRIME partner university may be available under the exchange agreement, subject to the Georgia Tech student registering at Georgia Tech and to an institutional balance arrangement. For a European PRIME student seeking to study at Georgia Tech, a Georgia Tech tuition waiver may be available, subject to the student registering at his/her home university and to an institutional balance arrangement. The institutional balance arrangement means that the number of Georgia Tech students studying abroad at PRIME partner universities and the number of PRIME students studying at Georgia Tech should be equivalent. In any year, the number of available tuition waivers is likely to be limited.

Georgia Tech and European PRIME partner universities may also participate in PRIME second semester exchanges outside of the tuition waiver agreement, if students are able to find other sources of funding and support.

Georgia Tech students interested in the PRIME Masters Program

The PRIME masters program will apply the latest research and practice in the fields of innovation analysis, research & innovation policy, and science & technology studies. The program will provide international training opportunities for students planning careers in science and technology policy. For Georgia Tech students, the "PRIME track" requirements are:

1.	Coursework at Georgia Tech: Completion prior to study abroad of two or more graduate level courses in policy formulation, micro-economics, research, or data analysis methods plus one course from a menu that satisfies PRIME Masters Certificate requirements in each of these three areas:
	a.	Foundations of Science and Technology Policy Studies: Coursework in this area should introduce students to the major theoretical approaches in the field of Science and Technology Policy Studies. Students learn to examine scientific and technological developments in their social, political, economic, institutional and cultural settings from different disciplinary perspectives.
	b.	Innovation Analysis: Coursework in this area to provide a conceptual and operational understanding of innovation and an overview of the range of ways in which innovation can be operationalized and measured; and understanding of different methods of innovation analysis, strengths and weaknesses; exposure to at least two methods of innovation analysis; and an understanding of how the analysis of innovation can be used to inform research, policy, and decision-making.
	c.	Comparative Research and Innovation Policy: Coursework that provides comparative overviews of research and innovation policy development linking concepts and practices; exposure to actual policies and practice; and applications of skills of policy analysis drawing on theory and empirical context.
2.	A semester abroad at one of the PRIME partner university institutions (one semester, full-time study) focusing on Science and Technology Policy specializations. This semester will consist of thesis-writing or professional project or internship in one of the PRIME institutions. Additional specialized course work may be undertaken as appropriate.
		Georgia Tech School of Public Policy masters (MSPP) students in their last semester may finish their professional research paper or thesis during their study period in Europe. It is also possible to take at the European university an equivalent to PUBP 6201 Public Policy Analysis (Capstone Course).

Coursework at Georgia Tech may be completed in one or more semesters in conjunction with courses normally taken as part of existing MS/PhD programs. Eligible Georgia Tech courses for the "PRIME Track" include the following:

* Students and faculty may propose other courses that meet PRIME requirements.

In their PRIME study abroad semester in Europe, Georgia Tech students will complete thesis or professional papers, undertake internships, participate in projects, and undertake additional coursework in selected specializations. Students pursuing masters’ theses or professional papers/projects should secure a Georgia Tech faculty advisor in the normal way, but may also work with a faculty member (as a secondary advisor) or client associated with the partner institution. For information on specializations offered at PRIME partner universities, select here select here.

Tips for Georgia Tech students pursuing the PRIME program:
	If interested in the PRIME program, please discuss with the Georgia Tech PRIME faculty coordinator, Prof. Philip Shapira.
	Students should also discuss with their individual faculty advisors how best to configure their schedules, to ensure that core requirements can be completed and that electives are taken which satisfy the PRIME coursework requirements. The PRIME coursework requirements need to be completed before the study abroad semester. For MSPP students, the Spring semester of the second year is the most feasible semester to plan the study abroad period.
	During their studies in a European PRIME university, students should remain registered at Georgia Tech as well. A Georgia Tech student who studies abroad at a European PRIME partner that is a member of the GT-ESST exchange agreement may not have to pay tuition fees at the European institution if they pay tuition at Georgia Tech, subject to an institutional balance agreement between Georgia Tech and ESST.
	The Georgia Tech Office of International Education is available to help students interested in this program. Please contact the Study Abroad Advisor who works with outgoing exchange students, advises students how to register for the Foreign Studies 6000 class here at GT, provides forms that need to be signed, and provides information about GT orientation for outgoing exchange students).
	Students should investigate sources of financial support for study abroad available at Georgia Tech or other organizations. Limited scholarship support may be available from PRIME to a Georgia Tech student, but is not guaranteed. Additional financial support from partner universities is limited but may be possible if GT students are willing to participate in faculty research projects. Students should also check the scholarships section of the Georgia Tech Office of International Education, including the STARS program of the University System and Georgia Tech.
	Georgia Tech students should investigate the start and ending dates of academic semesters (they are different in every country) at the institutions they are interested in for study abroad, to ensure compatibility with their Georgia Tech schedule.
	Georgia Tech students studying abroad in the PRIME program will be able to receive or transfer in academic credit to their Georgia Tech degree programs. But you should discuss and confirm proposed academic credit arrangements with your academic advisor and graduate administrator.
	Georgia Tech students who satisfactorily complete the PRIME track at Georgia Tech and a semester study abroad in a European partner university are eligible for the award of the PRIME Masters Certificate in Research and Innovation Policy.
	This program is available to all qualified, degree-seeking students at Georgia Tech (irrespective of nationality or residence status).
Application Deadline (second semester in Europe): For acceptance to a PRIME university for Spring semester study, Georgia Tech students will need to apply by October 1. By arrangement, exchange visits may also be possible in the Fall Semester (apply to Georgia Tech by April 15). Note: Due to earlier semester start and institutional requirements, the deadline for Georgia Tech PRIME applicants is earlier than indicated in the general PRIME information.
Application Procedure: For second semester PRIME study in Europe, Georgia Tech PRIME students need to apply both to the PRIME program and to the Georgia Tech Office of International Education. At least one month in advance of the application deadline, please contact the Georgia Tech PRIME faculty advisor for further details.

Students from PRIME Partner Universities interested in studying in the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy

The Georgia Tech School of Public Policy welcomes students from European PRIME Partner Universities interested in studying for a semester in School's graduate program. PRIME students should discuss their interests and plans with their home institution faculty advisors. To be accepted to study for their second PRIME semester at Georgia Tech, European PRIME students need to:

	Complete the PRIME first semester by the time they enter Georgia Tech. For details on the PRIME first semester program, see 1st semester institutes and Semester 1 curriculum.
	Apply to and be accepted by the PRIME program for second semester study specialization. For further details, please contact the PRIME training group project officer, Kathryn Morrison (Email: kathryn.morrison@mbs.ac.uk).
	Apply to and be accepted by the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy in an appropriate area of specialization at Georgia Tech and meet institutional and school requirements for admission.

Information on Georgia Tech School of Public Policy faculty, concentrations and courses is available on the School's web pages. Detailed course schedules for upcoming semesters are available under "Schedule of Classes" on the Georgia Tech OSCAR web pages. Further information about the School can be obtained from the School of Public Policy Graduate Program Administrator.

There is a Georgia Tech-PRIME-ESST exchange agreement. The availability of a tuition exchange waiver at Georgia Tech is subject to an institutional balance arrangement and requires incoming students to be registered in their home institutions. In any year, the number of available tuition waivers is likely to be limited. The School of Public Policy is unable to provide or guarantee additional financial support for incoming PRIME students. In exceptional cases, research or other assistantships may be available through faculty research projects.

PRIME students who satisfactorily complete their course of study at Georgia Tech are eligible for the award of the PRIME Masters Certificate in Research and Innovation Policy.

Application Deadline: For the PRIME Program, students should apply to the Georgia Tech Office of International Education by October 1 (for next Spring semester study) and by April 15 (for next Fall semester study). Note: Due to earlier semester start and institutional requirements, the deadline for Georgia Tech PRIME applicants is earlier than indicated in the general PRIME information.

To Apply to Georgia Tech: Incoming PRIME applicants students should contact the Georgia Tech Office of International Education for specific information on application procedures. Refer to the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy - PRIME Exchange Program.

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