More students to benefit from Erasmus Mundus
Erasmus Mundus, the European co-operation and mobility programme, now enters a new phase with a substantially increased budget and a wider scope. It will increase the support of academic excellence and the attractiveness of European higher education worldwide and continue fostering cooperation with third countries.
In 2009-2013, the EU will increase its support to the most highly-talented students and professors from countries outside the EU with grants to take part in joint programmes in Europe. It will also extend the scope of the programme to the doctoral level and give more financial support to European students.
The expected budget for Erasmus Mundus will be an indicative amount of € 950 million from 2009 to 2013, a significant increase in the total allocation for partnerships under Erasmus Mundus and the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows during 2004-2008.
More than 10,000 scholarships so far
In the period 2004-2008, Erasmus Mundus and the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows offered more than 10,000 scholarships to students and academics from all over the world, with a combined budget of € 609 million. The programme offered the opportunity to third-country students to obtain a degree in Europe, and to academics to share know-how and to contribute to study programmes through teaching or research activities whilst avoiding brain drain and favouring vulnerable groups.
Thanks to these exchanges, and through cooperation with non-EU partner countries, the programme also made a significant contribution to the enhancement of intercultural dialogue and to the sustainable development of higher education in third countries.
To know more
- European Commission Press Release: More students to benefit from Erasmus Mundus
(IP/09/268 on Rapid, 16 February 2009) - European Commission: Erasmus Mundus
- European Commission: External Cooperation Programmes
- Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: Erasmus Mundus
- Erasmus Mundus Infoday, Brussels, 18 February 2009 (including live webstream)
