1. Joint Master Degrees EMJMDs
ERASMUS+
Key Action 1
Erasmus Mundus
Joint Master Degrees EMJMDs

2. A streamlined architecture: 3 Key Actions
A single integrated programme
Erasmus+
KA1
Learning
Mobility for
Individuals
KA3
Policy
Support
KA2
Co-operation
Projects
Specific activities:
Jean Monnet
Sport
Erasmus+ is the European Union (EU's) programme which supports projects, partnerships, events and mobility in the areas of education, training, youth and sport. The programme, which runs from 2014 to 2020, provides funding opportunities for cooperation in all these areas, both among European countries and between European countries and Partner Countries throughout the world.
Erasmus+ budget 2014 – 2020:
- Almost €16.5 billion
- 40% budget increase
- EU and external budget
Erasmus+ replaces seven programmes bringing together :
- The Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius and Grundtvig, Jean Monnet)
- The Youth in Action programme
- Five international cooperation programmes (Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink, the programme for cooperation with industrialised countries)
- The new sport action.
Erasmus+ recognises the importance of the extra-EU international dimension in all these areas, especially in higher education and supports the international exchange of students, academics, ideas and good practice between institutions. Erasmus+ provides more opportunities for individuals and for organisations, simplifies the way these scholarships and grants work and adds a range of new opportunities.
These opportunities to get involved fall primarily under Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (entitled 'Learning Mobility') and Key Action 2 (entitled 'Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices').
The actions of the Erasmus + programme are divided into decentralised actions and centralised actions. The decentralised actions are managed in each programme country by the International Erasmus+ Contact point (ICPs) of the National Agencies. The centralised actions are managed at a European level by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture
Executive Agency (EACEA).For strands of the Erasmus+ programme that work with countries outside the EU and other Programme Countries (i.e. Partner Countries), National Erasmus+ Offices have been set up in a number of these eligible Partner Countries.
Key Action 1 – Learning Mobility for Individuals (Higher Education area): Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Mobility Actions for Higher education students and staff (National Agencies)
Key Action 2 - Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices:
Capacity Building in the field of higher education supporting cooperation with Partner Countries.
- Knowledge Alliances cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises;
Sector Skills Alliances addressing skills gaps in specific economic sectors;
May include higher education institutions from partner countries, but only if clear added value for the project
Ad Degree mobility: the former EM Joint Doctorates have been integrated under Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon 2020)
EMJMD

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
…in brief:
Highly integrated Master study programmes delivered by international HEI consortium
No restriction in disciplines
Duration 12 – 18 – 24 months
4 consecutive student intakes
Award of a joint or multiple Master degree
Full scholarships for students - 75% for students from Partner Countries
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) is a prestigious, integrated, international study programme, lasting between one and two years, delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions (HEIs). The consortium may also include, where relevant, other educational and/or non-educational partners with specific expertise and interest in the areas of study.
EMJMDs award EU-funded scholarships to the best student candidates applying under annual selection rounds. Students must study in partner HEIs in at least two different Programme Countries. Grants are also available for visiting scholars or guest lecturers who can bring added value to the degree course.
EMJMD structure:
Integrated international Master programmes of excellent quality to attract the very best students worldwide
Developed and delivered by a consortium of HEIs from Programme Countries & Partner Countries (if relevant)
Duration 12 – 18 – 24 months (60 – 90 – 120 ECTS credits), optional preparatory year + 4 intakes (6 years maximum) – covered by one Grant Agreement
Mandatory study period in at least 2 different Programme Countries (no virtual mobility)
Fully recognised and accredited joint / multiple Master degrees
NEW 2018 Call: Programme Country scholarships offered to the consortia increase as the share of the Partner Country scholarships will take into account those offered under Heading 1 and Heading 4/ EDF budgets together

4. International cooperation
Programme Countries
Partner Countries
EU Member States +
Other Programme Countries:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway,
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey
All other countries throughout the world
Programme countries are the EU 28 + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey and FYROM, i.e. all countries that contribute financially to the programme and have a National Agency to manage it. Partner Countries are all other countries throughout the world.
In 2018 the UK continues to count as FULL Erasmus+ Programme Country.

5. EMJMD - main aims
Quality, innovation, excellence, internationalisation
Competences, skills & employability of Master graduates
Quality and attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
Relevance for the labour market
"Jointness" – high level of course integration
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees build on the success of Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses ( ) and aim to:
foster quality improvements, innovation, excellence and internationalisation in higher education institutions (HEI);
increase the quality and the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and supporting the EU's external action in the higher education field, by offering full degree scholarships to the best Master students worldwide;
improve the level of competences and skills of Master graduates, and in particular the relevance of the Joint Masters for the labour market, through an increased involvement of employers.
Jointness: The programme is developed jointly by all consortium partners and jointly implemented:
Jointly developed curriculum
Joint application procedure and selection of students
Joint quality review and examination of students
EMJMDs are invited to actively address the challenges of structural reforms relating to quality assurance and qualifications frameworks in the EHEA as included in the Yerevan communiqué, the so-called European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes, adopted by the Conference of Ministers responsible for higher education of the EHEA/Bologna Process, and thereby contribute to promoting the transparency and mutual trust in higher education in the EHEA.
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.

6. Opportunities for HEIs from
Programme countries
High degree of visibility in a programme of Excellence
Multiannual grant agreement and personalised management support by EACEA
Attractive EU co-funding scheme
Select top students worldwide
Potential benefits linked to the establishment of joint degrees (these points may also be valid for multiple degrees and dual degrees, however the joint degree scheme might better exploit these benefits)
Internationalisation of partner HEIs
Higher international visibility of partner HEIs
Broader and more innovative educational offerings at the participating HEIs
Educational and research collaborations – spin-off effects
Increase interest of foreign students/high potential students in the study programme
Increase intercultural understanding and collaborations – at personal and institutional level
Capacity building at partner institutions through cooperation and exchange of good practices
More transparency between different national educational systems
Graduates are well prepared for the labour market, thanks to key skills developed (adaptability, resilience, learning to learn, cultural awareness, etc.).
Challenges linked to the establishment and implementation of joint degrees
Setting up of a comprehensive Consortium agreement: agreement on financial and administrative issues and tuition fees; covering the participating HEIs (financial) responsibilities and affirming their intention to develop and deliver a joint degree, agree on programme structure, etc.
Development of joint transparent course management procedures: develop a grade conversion system between consortium HEIs; credit transfer agreement; joint internal and external course evaluation; issuing of the joint diploma and diploma supplement
Design of a coherent curriculum, agree on joint learning outcomes, ensure also flexibility to work with different academic calendars; decide on language(s) of instruction; decide on joint teaching and student assessment methods. At the same time, avoid overlapping of course content to ensure efficiency.
Student services – Students must quickly adapt to different academic and social environments & approaches to teaching and grading. This requires a high level of support to the students by the international offices of the HEIs before arrival and during the study programme (welcome kit before arrival, accommodation, visa issues, etc.). Moreover pro-active tutoring to close "knowledge gaps" and language training to ensure the success of the students.
Staff mobility will add value to the programme
Joint promotion strategy: recruitment of students; recognition of joint degree by academia and world of work; define uniqueness of the programme in comparison to other existing (national) offers
Exploiting, reinforcing and making more evident the added value of a joint degree
Setting up of a sustainability strategy: securing institutional support is a crucial element; support from national or international organisations and governments; ensure funding (joint degree study programmes are very demanding in terms of quality and budget)
Legal and accreditation issues, recognition of joint study programme by all partners
National regulations of countries of participating HEIs – impact on what is formally possible; alignment of joint academic regulations

7. Opportunities for HEIs from
Partner countries
High degree of international visibility in EU programme of Excellence
Increased exchange of excellent students and staff from and to HEIs in Partner countries
Exchange of good practices with other participating HEIs
Possibility of further educational and research collaborations
Potential benefits linked to the establishment of joint degrees (these points may also be valid for multiple degrees and dual degrees, however the joint degree scheme might better exploit these benefits)
Internationalisation of partner HEIs
Higher international visibility of partner HEIs
Broader and more innovative educational offerings at the participating HEIs
Educational and research collaborations – spin-off effects
Increase interest of foreign students/high potential students in the study programme
Increase intercultural understanding and collaborations – at personal and institutional level
Capacity building at partner institutions through cooperation and exchange of good practices
More transparency between different national educational systems
Graduates are well prepared for the labour market, thanks to key skills developed (adaptability, resilience, learning to learn, cultural awareness, etc.).
Challenges linked to the establishment and implementation of joint degrees
Setting up of a comprehensive Consortium agreement: agreement on financial and administrative issues and tuition fees; covering the participating HEIs (financial) responsibilities and affirming their intention to develop and deliver a joint degree, agree on programme structure, etc.
Development of joint transparent course management procedures: develop a grade conversion system between consortium HEIs; credit transfer agreement; joint internal and external course evaluation; issuing of the joint diploma and diploma supplement
Design of a coherent curriculum, agree on joint learning outcomes, ensure also flexibility to work with different academic calendars; decide on language(s) of instruction; decide on joint teaching and student assessment methods. At the same time, avoid overlapping of course content to ensure efficiency.
Student services – Students must quickly adapt to different academic and social environments & approaches to teaching and grading. This requires a high level of support to the students by the international offices of the HEIs before arrival and during the study programme (welcome kit before arrival, accommodation, visa issues, etc.). Moreover pro-active tutoring to close "knowledge gaps" and language training to ensure the success of the students.
Staff mobility will add value to the programme
Joint promotion strategy: recruitment of students; recognition of joint degree by academia and world of work; define uniqueness of the programme in comparison to other existing (national) offers
Exploiting, reinforcing and making more evident the added value of a joint degree
Setting up of a sustainability strategy: securing institutional support is a crucial element; support from national or international organisations and governments; ensure funding (joint degree study programmes are very demanding in terms of quality and budget)
Legal and accreditation issues, recognition of joint study programme by all partners
National regulations of countries of participating HEIs – impact on what is formally possible; alignment of joint academic regulations

8. Opportunities for students
Top academic expertise & specialisation options
Unique mobility experience recognised joint/multiple degree
Full scholarships with attractive financial envelope
High employability thanks to key skills developed
Support by consortium partners and EMA
Opportunities for students
Top academic expertise and specialisation options
Unique mobility experience inside (and outside) Europe with recognised joint/multiple degree
Full scholarships with attractive financial envelope (incl. insurance)
High employability thanks to key skills developed
Support by consortium partners and EM Alumni Association (EMA)
EMA = Erasmus Mundus Alumni Association

9. Taking part as an Organisation
Public and private organisations in Programme & Partner countries
Programme country HEIs: Accreditation
Non academic partners
Associated partners
The consortium offering an EMJMD must include HEIs from at least three Programme Countries and may involve additional HEIs from Programme and Partner Countries. Other organisations such as enterprises, public bodies, NGOs and research institutes may also be full partners.
Only an HEI established in one of the Programme Countries may submit an application on behalf of the consortium which delivers the degree programme.
EMJMDs open to public or private organisations in Programme & Partner Countries
HEIs
- Non-academic partners (enterprises, non-profit organisations, NGOs, foundations, etc.)
- Applicant: HEI established in Programme Country
Minimum EMJMD consortium composition: 3 HEIs as partners (including the coordinator) from at least 3 different Programme Countries
HEIs established in a Programme Country must be able to demonstrate at application stage the accreditation at national level of each degree-awarding Master programme on the basis of which the EMJMD programme is composed. For novel joint Master programmes that have not yet graduated students, the accreditation by the competent national authorities is required at application stage.
HEIs established in a Programme Country:
Accreditation at national level of each degree-awarding Master programme on the basis of which the EMJMD programme is composed – required at application stage
Cooperation with HEIs widespread across EHEA & HEIs and other eligible organisations from Partner Countries
Benefits: specific expertise, visibility to students and employers, promotion, etc.
Associated partners (optional): specific tasks/activities, e.g. dissemination, knowledge and skills transfer, internships, etc.
Minimum consortium: 3 HEIs - 3 different Programme countries

10. Example of EMJMD selected under the 2017 call for proposals
European Politics and Society
Coordinator: UNIVERZITA KARLOVA, CZ
Partners (3):
UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN - (NL)
UNIWERSYTET JAGIELLONSKI - (PL)
UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA - (ES)
Associated Partners (23):
17 from Programme Countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom
6 from Partner Countries: Armenia, Chile, Georgia, Mexico
Grant Awarded : € - 62 EMJMD scholarships for 3 intakes:
54 scholarships (8 Programme C Partner C.) + 8 additional for targeted regions
Study programme: 120 ECTS
586573 CZ
UNIVERZITA KARLOVA
European Politics and Society: Vaclav Havel Joint Master Programme – EPS

11. EMJMD Award Criteria Peer review by independent external experts
Relevance of the project (max 40 points)
Quality of the project design and implementation (max 20 points)
Quality of the project team & the cooperation arrangements (max 20 points)
Impact and dissemination (max 20 points)
Peer review by independent external experts
One-step evaluation procedure
2 thresholds:
75% (30 points) of the maximum allocated points for "Relevance"
Proposals must score at least 70 points overall
The selection is based on a peer-review system: independent academic experts perform an assessment of the quality of each application, in light of the published 4 award criteria (+ additional award criterion for scholarships for targeted regions). 3 experts assess each proposal in a one-step evaluation procedure
Increased focus on the excellence of the selected EMJMD through a strengthened selection and monitoring procedure (Threshold in 2017 selection: 80/100)
To be considered for funding, proposals must score at least 70 points out of a total of 100. Furthermore, they must score at least 75% of the maximum allocated points under the award criterion "Relevance of the project" (i.e. minimum 30 points out of 40). In case of ex aequo, priority will be given to projects scoring highest under the criterion "Relevance of the project".
Those proposals which pass all thresholds will be assessed for additional scholarships for targeted Partner Country regions. The experts will analyse and evaluate the answers given for the additional award criterion: "Relevance of the project in the targeted region(s)" and indicate, on a yes/no basis, whether the information is pertinent.
The assessment of the additional criterion will not influence the original ranking list resulting from the evaluation of the four award criteria.

12. Additional scholarships for 8 targeted regions
Consortia may receive up to 12 additional student scholarships per intake, i.e. ≈ 48 scholarships per EMJMD
Additional award criterion
Applicants should be encouraged to draw full benefit from Heading 4 & EDF funds and to diversify their request for additional scholarships (to cover the widest possible number of targeted regions)
Additional scholarships for 12 windows (8 targeted regions)
Financed by EU external financing instruments (DCI, ENI South and East, PI, EDF)
DCI = Development Cooperation Instrument
ENI = European Neighbourhood Instrument
PI = Partnership Instrument
EDF = European Development Fund
From the 2016 Call onwards, funds have been available for the ACP regions via EDF (European Development Fund) funds
These additional scholarships are offered to respond to the external policy priorities of the EU with regard to higher education and take into consideration the different levels of economic and social development in the relevant Partner Countries. The scholarships must be allocated to students coming from nine different regions.
Only projects that have passed the minimum threshold under the award criterion "Relevance" and obtain a total of at least 70 points will be assessed against the additional criterion which will cover all targeted regions, for which additional scholarships have been applied for (Assessment - "Yes"/"No").
Consortia may receive around 12 additional student scholarships per intake (48 scholarships per EMJMD)
Additional award criterion - Relevance in the targeted regions

13. EMJMD funding rules EMJMD EU grant ~ 3-4 million € HEIs Students
€ per student intake
€ optional preparatory year
= € max.
Students
€ max. per scholarship per academic year
participation, travel & installation costs, living allowance
Financial support for:
management of the consortium and the implementation of the EMJMD for 4 consecutive intakes
Supporting the costs of invited scholars/guest lecturers contributing to the delivery and the excellence of the EMJMD
Students scholarships awarded to the best students worldwide
Management costs
The consortium receives EUR for the optional preparatory year and EUR for each of the four selection years to cover consortium management costs and to fund at least four academics per year (scholars/guest lecturers).
Student scholarships
The European Union will fund up to 15 student scholarships under each annual intake (+ indicatively 12 from external windows per intake). The total max. grant for an EMJMD selected under a Call for Proposals will be around EUR 5 million.
The budget includes funds from the Erasmus+ budget ("Heading 1) and additional budget for scholarships for targeted regions from External Action instruments ("Heading 4).
Duration of the project: 1 preparatory year (optional) + 4 intakes (6 years maximum) – covered by 1 Grant Agreement
Fixed total budget for the 4 intakes (2018: approx. 15 students + max 12 from targeted regions per intake ~ 60 students per grant agreement + max. 48 from targeted regions
The actual amount of the individual scholarships, respectively the maximum grant amount awarded for selected projects, will depend on a number of elements:
a) the EMJMD length (60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits);
b) the EMJMD participation costs defined by the consortia
c) the implementation of the optional preparatory year;
d) the number of Programme/Partner country scholarships;

14. EMJMD students scholarships grants
Students from
Partner Countries
Students from Programme Countries
Contribution to participation costs
up to
9.000 € per year
4.500 € per year
Contribution to travel costs*
2.000 € per year if residence is less than km from EMJMD coordinator
3.000 € per year if residence is km or more from EMJMD coordinator
1.000 € per year
Contribution to installation costs*
1.000 € -
Living allowance
(max 24 months)
1.000 € per month (not when in country of residence, and max 3 months in any Partner Country)
1.000 € per month
(not when in country of residence)
The final amount of the students scholarships depend on the nationality of the student, his/her country of residence and the duration of the EMJMD (2-3-4 semesters):
- Max student scholarship: ,- €
* Scholarship amounts for travel/installation depend on the place of residence at the time of scholarship application

15. EMJMD selection results 2014 – 2017
Figures about the selection results EMJMDs
91 Projects
€ Budget
5.032 Total scholarships
814 Programme Country students
4.218 Partner Country students

16. How to apply Erasmus+ EMJMD call for proposals 2018
Publication of Call: 25 October 2017
Deadline: 15 February 2018 – 12:00 CET
Budget: ~ 120 M€ + ~ 32 M€ for "targeted regions"
Nr. of projects: ~ 42 EMJMDs
Nr. of scholarships per intake (per project):
~ 15 (around 60 per Grant Agreement)
plus
~ 12 (around 48 per Grant Agreement) for targeted regions
Award decision: by July 2018
EMJMDs are selected each year following an open Call for Proposals. The selection is based on a peer-review system: independent academic experts perform an assessment of the quality of each application, in light of the published award criteria.
New elements of the 2018 EMJMD Call for proposals:
4 student intakes per EMJMD (maximum duration 6 years)
15 EMJMD scholarships per intake (total number of 60 EMJMD scholarships per Grant Agreement)
Consortia can benefit from up to 12 additional scholarships per intake for targeted regions of the world
Programme Country scholarships offered to the consortia increase (75% of scholarships reserved for Partner country students now take into account those offered under Heading 1 and Heading 4/EDF budgets together)
Which projects can re-apply under this call?
EMMCs: with an FPA 2013 or earlier can re-apply under the 2018 call and may choose whether they will implement a preparatory year or not
EMJMDs:
- EMJMDs 2014: can re-apply under the 2018 call, may choose whether they will implement a preparatory year or not
- EMJMDs 2015: can re-apply under 2018 call, but must implement a preparatory year
- EMJMDs 2016: cannot re-apply under 2018 call, unless the 3rd intake of students will start in the academic year 2018/2019, in which case they can apply, but MUST choose to implement a preparatory year.
Quality Review projects (1st intake in 2015, no preparatory year – only 3 cohorts)
- Can re-apply under 2018 call, and may choose whether they will implement a preparatory year or not

17. New elements in the 2018 EMJMD Call
4 student intakes per EMJMD (max. duration 6 years)
15 EMJMD scholarships per intake (total number of 60 EMJMD scholarships per Grant Agreement)
Up to 12 additional scholarships per intake for targeted regions of the world
Programme Country scholarships offered to the consortia increase (75% of the Partner Country scholarships take into account Heading 1 and Heading 4/EDF budgets together)
Since 2017 :
Assessment of proposals in one step evaluation procedure
Simplified assessment of additional award criterion (Heading 4 and EDF scholarships) for award of additional scholarships for targeted regions of the world (more details in slide 23) Yes/No for additional AC (no score)
The geographic Region 9: Iran, Iraq Yemen NO longer on offer
Since 2016
75% threshold for "Relevance" in order to be funded
Additional scholarships for 8 targeted regions (12 geographical windows), financed by EU external funding instruments (including ACP countries – EDF budget)

18. Taking part as an individual
Students apply to EMJMD consortia:
Catalogue with ongoing EMJMDs offering scholarships
mobility-individuals/joint-master-degrees/scholarships_en
In the course catalogue you will not only find the EMJMDs selected in , but also scholarships offered under the Intra-ACP academic mobility scheme (EMMCs and EMJDs had their last Erasmus Mundus funded intake in and are no longer included in the course catalogue)
Student agreement: to be signed by both parties following the student's EMJMD course enrolment. This agreement must define as precisely as possible the rights and obligations of both parties and cover the academic, administrative, financial and insurance aspects of course participation and the EMJMD scholarship + appeal procedures
EMJMD scholarship holders:
first higher education degree
have not received EMMC/EMJMD scholarship, EMJD fellowship in the past
scholarship application to max. 3 EMJMD programmes

19. EMJMDs – Key messages & lessons learned
Build up HEI consortia with a wide coverage of the EHEA
Invest in internship programmes
Participation of non-academic organisations in curriculum development, course implementation and performance evaluation
Develop complementary competences for EM students
Business and marketing plans for financial sustainability
Outreach activities to raise visibility and recognition of awarded joint degrees among academia and business community

20. Information sources
Erasmus+ Programme Guide and EMJMD call for proposals 2018
EMJMD consortia selected in 2017
Policy paper: "EMJMDs - The story so far"
Erasmus+ e-tutorials on the international dimension in Higher Education & How to prepare a competitive proposal
plus_en

21. Thank you! Please contact us at: EACEA-EPLUS-EMJMD@ec.europa.eu