Call for proposals - EACEA/41/10 for the implementation of Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 in 2011

This call concerns: Action 1 - Joint Programmes, Action 2 - Partnerships, Action 3 - Promotion of European Higher Education.

The overall aim of the Erasmus Mundus programme is to promote European higher education, to help improve and enhance the career prospects of students, and to promote intercultural understanding through co- operation with third countries.

A. Action 1 - Erasmus Mundus Joint Programmes

This action aims to foster cooperation between higher education institutions and academic staff in Europe and third countries with a view to creating poles of excellence and providing highly trained human resources. It comprises two sub-actions: Action 1A: Erasmus Mundus Master Courses (EMMCs) and Action 1B: Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates (EMJDs).

The aim of the sub-actions is to support postgraduate programmes of outstanding academic quality, jointly developed by consortia of European and, where relevant, third-country universities and that could contribute to the increased visibility and attractiveness of the European higher education sector. Such joint programmes must involve mobility between the consortia universities and lead to the award of recognised joint, double or multiple degrees.

Details of eligible participants and activities are given in the Programme Guide. This call aims to select: for Action 1A (EMMCs) around 10 new applications and up to 22 renewal applications; for Action 1B (EMJDs) around 10 new applications.

For each of the selected applications, a five-year Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) will be issued in the summer of 2011. The FPAs will give rise to the award of annual Specific Grant Agreements starting from the academic year 2012/13 which will include both financial support to the consortia implementing the joint programmes and a yearly defined number of individual scholarships for European and third-country students, doctoral candidates and scholars.

The deadline for submissions for EMMCs and EMJDs is 29 April 2011. Applicants are invited to submit a short description of their joint programme by 31 March 2011.

B. Action 2 - Erasmus Mundus Partnerships

This action aims to foster structured cooperation between European and third-country higher education institutions through the promotion of mobility at all level of studies for students (undergraduate and masters), doctoral candidates, researchers, academic and administrative staff (not all regions and lots may include all types of mobility flow). This Action (EMA2) is divided into two strands: Erasmus Mundus Action 2 - STRAND 1 - Partnerships with countries covered by the ENPI, DCI, EDF and IPA instruments (former External Cooperation Window); Erasmus Mundus Action 2 - STRAND 2 - Partnerships with countries and territories covered by the Industrialised Countries Instrument (ICI).

Details of eligible participants and activities are given in the Programme Guide. The overall budget is approximately €95.6 million; the aim is to fund a minimum of 3,265 individuals (3,125 EMA2-STRAND 1; 140 EMA2-STRAND 2).

The deadline for submissions is 29 April 2011.

C. Action 3 - Promotion of European Higher Education

This action aims to promote European higher education through measures enhancing its attractiveness, profile, image, visibility and accessibility. Action 3 provides support to transnational initiatives, studies, projects, events and other activities related to the international dimension of all aspects of higher education. These include promotion, accessibility, quality assurance, credit recognition, recognition of European qualifications abroad and mutual recognition of qualifications with third countries, curriculum development, mobility, quality of services, etc.

Action 3 activities may take various forms (conferences, seminars, workshops, studies, analyses, pilot projects, prizes, international networks, production of material for publication, development of information, communication and technology tools) and may take place anywhere in the world.

Details of eligible participants and activities are given in the Programme Guide. Projects under this call should address one of the following priorities:
-  promoting European higher education in certain geographical areas (priority will be given to areas which so far have been less represented in Erasmus Mundus projects: e.g. Africa and industrialised countries)
- improving services for international students and doctoral candidates
- addressing the international dimension of Quality Assurance
- strengthening relations between European higher education and research
- promoting European study opportunities for doctoral candidates
- promoting the Erasmus Mundus programme towards European students

This call aims to fund around six projects. The total budget earmarked for the co-financing of projects is €1.3 million. Grant amounts will vary between €100,000 and €350,000 according to the size of the projects selected. The EU contribution will not exceed 75% of the total eligible costs.

The deadline for submissions is 29 April 2011.

Reference: 2010/C 341/10

(Added 2010-12-16)