The European Union's Erasmus Mundus programme aims to enhance quality in higher education through scholarships and academic co-operation between Europe and the rest of the world. Erasmus Mundus comprises three Actions:
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Under Action 1, Erasmus Mundus funds Joint Programmes (Masters Courses and Joint Doctorates) that are operated by consortia of higher education institutions from the EU and (since 2009) elsewhere in the world. They provide an integrated course and joint or multiple diplomas following study or research at two or more higher education institutions. Masters Courses and Joint Doctorates are selected each year following a Call for Proposals.
Each year, Erasmus Mundus funds a number of scholarships to students and scholars studying or teaching in Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses. From 2010 onwards, fellowships have been available for doctoral candidates following one of the new Joint Doctorates. 131 Masters and 34 Doctorates will be offering EU-funded scholarships or fellowships to students and scholars starting their studies/research during the 2012/2013 academic year.
Scholarships cover participation costs, subsistence costs and insurance for the duration of the study period. Many students have the right to a contribution to travel costs.
Erasmus Mundus Partnerships bring together higher education institutions from Europe on the one hand and from a particular region in the world on the other. Together, the partnerships manage mobility flows between the two regions for a range of academic levels − undergraduate, masters, doctorate, post-doctorate − and for academic staff.
Scholarships cover participation costs, subsistence costs, insurance for the duration of the study period, plus a contribution to travel costs.
Under Action 3, Erasmus Mundus funds projects to enhance the attractiveness and visibility of European higher education worldwide. Activities focus in particular on the international dimension of higher education, often targeting a particular region or academic discipline.
Funding available for:
1) European joint Masters and Doctorates
2) Partnerships with non-European higher education institutions and scholarships for students and academics
3) Projects to promote European higher education worldwide
On 9th February 2011, the European Ombudsman published his draft recommendation in his inquiry into a complaint against the European Commission in relation with the Erasmus Mundus programme[1]. The European Ombudsman has asked the European Commission to make an ex-gratia payment of 1 500 Euro to each of ca. 25 students from outside the European Union who participated in the European Union scholarship programme Erasmus Mundus I. This follows a complaint from a Canadian student who claimed that the European Commission misinformed postgraduate students participating in the EuMAS programme about the structure of Erasmus Mundus. After more than four years of inquiry into the complaint, the Ombudsman considers that the Commission should make an ex-gratia payment of total ca. 35 000 Euro as a recognition of the inconvenience experienced by the students concerned.
Erasmus Mundus websites
http://ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus - Erasmus Mundus Website DG Education and Culture
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus - Erasmus Mundus Website Executive Agency
- Erasmus Mundus joint programmes, partnerships and projects
- Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA)
- Erasmus Mundus Quality Assurance (EMQA )
- Study in Europe