The Erasmus Mundus program aims to enhance the quality of higher education and promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through mobility and academic cooperation. It supports academic excellence and the attractiveness of Europe’s higher education worldwide, and fosters cooperation with targeted third countries with the objective of contributing to their development. The total program budget for the period 2009-2013 is approximately 1 billion EUR.
Joint programs of outstanding academic quality are designed and implemented by a consortium of European universities from at least three different countries. Consortia may also include universities from other parts of the world. Scholarships / fellowships are open to higher education students and academics from all over the world. Programs include obligatory study and research periods, in at least two universities, and award recognised double, multiple or joint degrees.
The European, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is the official contact institution for each Erasmus Mundus consortium. And more information on the program itself is available on the Erasmus Mundus webpage of the EACEA. In addition, information and advice is also available from Erasmus Mundus National Structures in EU countries and EU Delegations in non-EU countries. The contact details for your country can be found on the Erasmus Mundus website.
Higher education institutions, research centres and other organisations active in the field of higher education constituted consortia and a program and finally submitted a proposal to calls of the European Commission. Positively evaluated programs are running at most for five years, meaning ffor five cohorts of students. Applicants then apply directly to the selected Erasmus Mundus universities.
Recently, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate program was integrated in the biggest European Union Research and Innovation program Horizon 2020. Future calls for doctoral programs will be opened under the Innovative Training Networks (ITN) in the context of Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.