Erasmus + Key Action 1 - Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, 2014-2020 (hereinafter „EMJMD“ or “JMD”) represents a continuation of the successful Erasmus Mundus Master Courses (2005-2013).
In this regard, EMJMDs are expected to contribute to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and of the Education and Training strategic framework 2020 (ET2020), including the corresponding benchmarks established in those policies. EMJMDs will continue and strengthen the successful experience initiated with the Erasmus Mundus Master Courses in raising the attractiveness of the EHEA worldwide and demonstrating the excellence and high level of integration of the joint study programmes delivered by European higher education institutions (“HEIs”). This Action also supports EU external actions, objectives and priorities in the higher education field in their various aspects.
Basic aims
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foster quality improvements, innovation, excellence and internationalisation in HEIs;
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increase the quality and the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and supporting EU external action in the higher education field, by offering full degree scholarships to the best Master students worldwide;
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improve the level of competences and skills of Master graduates, and in particular their relevance for the labour market, through an increased involvement of employers.
Activities
This Action will support the following activities:
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the delivery of a JMD programme corresponding to 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, organised through an international consortium of higher education institutions including the participation of invited scholars (guest lecturers) for teaching, training and/or research purposes;
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the award of scholarships to excellent students worldwide for their participation in one of these JMD programmes
Target groups and states
JMD is open to all countries of the world; the terms and conditions of participation for individual countries are set each year by the relevant Call for Proposals.
The programme targets the following groups of applicants that contribute directly and actively to the delivery of the EMJMD (for a complete list of eligible applicants and their involvement options see the Erasmus + Programme Guide):
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higher education institutions from European and non-European countries;
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public or private, small, medium or large enterprises (including social enterprises);
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public bodies at local, regional or national level;
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non-profit organisations, associations, NGOs;
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research organizations
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students (applicants) with a recognized bachelor degree as a minimum;
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academic and research workers (invited scholars/ guest lecturers).
Consortium setup, diplomas awarded
A consortium applying for the EMJMD grant must be composed of three HEIs from at least three different Programme Countries (the minimum requirement). The Programme Countries have been defined in the Erasmus + Programme Guide and comprise roughly the countries of EU/EFTA and further, associated countries, provided there be an appropriate contract between EU and the respective state. All other countries are called Partner Countries. Beyond that, there are no limits on the number of consortium members, states of their origin, or institutional shape, but they need to be precisely determined in the moment of submission of the grant application. The members of consortium who have concluded the consortium agreement among themselves are called full partners. In the JMD programme, there may take part also associated partners who are not members of the consortium.
Each student must gain at least 30 credits in two Programme Countries (in case of JMD with 90 or 120 credits) or 20 credits (in JMD with 60 credits).
All graduates of the JMD study programme are awarded by at least two HEIs from two different Programme Countries a joint diploma, recognized under the respective national legislations, or two (or the respective number of) independent diplomas , each valid under the respective national legislation.
How to join
Erasmus + Key Action 1 - Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees is a centralized action, managed by the European Commission and implemented by its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). For each of the Erasmus + actions, the European Commission regularly issues calls for proposals. Information for potential applicants and eligibility conditions can be found in the Erasmus + Programme Guide.
Higher education institutions and organizations active in the field of higher education submit project proposals to the EACEA. The proposals are submitted by the coordinating university (project coordinator) on behalf of the whole consortium and must conform to the requirements stipulated in the Erasmus + Programme Guide and the relevant Call for Proposals. In the moment of submission, the study programme JMD must exist and be ready for launch.
The funding consists of a lump sum of 50000 € per intake of the JMD (admission), plus 20000 € for the preparatory year, and of the sum covering a certain number of individual student scholarships (in the initial funding period approximately 13-20 scholarships). The maximum yearly grant per 1 scholarship is 25000 €. The costs of invited scholars/guest lectures (in the initial funding period at least 4) are covered from the lump sum. The total presumed amount of grant on one project is 2-3 million €. In the initial period the grant is awarded for 4-5 years according to length of study included the preparatory year (i.e. 3 admissions). An award of further grant for further 4 years at most (3 admissions), i.e. second funding period, is subject to a successful quality review on the beginning of the third year of funding. The second grant already contains a participation (co-financing).
Individual applicants (i.e. students, academics etc.) should address their applications directly to the coordinating institution of the JMD consortium they have chosen, ensuring that the application meets the requirements set by the consortium. The scholarships/fellowships awarded depend on the type of mobility, the length of stay and the nationality of the applicant.
For more information and advice, please contact:
