Erasmus Mundus Design Measures

The Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (EMDM) is part of the Erasmus program, aimed at enhancing the integration and international dimension of the European Education Area. This initiative supports higher education institutions (HEIs) in Europe in developing new and innovative master's programs through international collaboration. The primary focus is on creating highly integrated master's programs that align with education level 7 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011).

Eligible applicants include HEIs from EU Member States and associated countries, with some room for third countries not associated with the Erasmus program. Supporting partners with expertise in relevant fields can also participate but won't receive direct grant funding. The project necessitates a consortium of at least three HEIs from three different countries, ensuring at least two are from EU Member States or associated countries.

Funding is provided through a lump-sum grant model, specifically €60,000 per project covering the 15-month design phase of new master programs, with a total budget of €3,000,000 available for the 2026 call. This model promotes simplicity and flexibility in budget management. The application process is a single-stage submission, with the call to be opened on November 18, 2025, and a submission deadline of February 12, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The evaluation period will occur between February and June 2026, with grant agreements expected to be signed by October 2026.

The initiative targets various thematic areas including climate change, digital transformation, and sustainable development, fostering innovative curriculum development. The EMDM is particularly structured to cultivate joint admissions, coordinated curricula, and shared quality assurance processes among institutions, distinguishing it from typical academic collaborations that might only focus on credit recognition or student exchanges.

While specific success rates for applications are not disclosed, the competitive nature of the grant suggests a low probability of funding, as illustrated by past trends where approximately 50 projects received support out of a larger pool of applicants. Co-funding is not a formal requirement, but institutions are encouraged to leverage additional resources and contributions from consortium partners.

In summary, the EMDM call stimulates strategic curriculum development projects that aim to bolster the quality and international appeal of higher education in Europe, requiring comprehensive collaboration among participating institutions for innovative program design and implementation.

The Erasmus Mundus Design Measures, under the Erasmus program, aims to bolster the integration and international dimension of the European Education Area. This initiative seeks to enhance the capabilities of higher education institutions in Europe to modernize and internationalize their curricula through the development of new master's programs in collaboration with diverse universities.

The core objective is to encourage the creation of innovative and highly integrated international study programs at the Master level, corresponding to level 7 of the international standard classification of education ISCED 2011. These programs are envisioned to be jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions from EU Member States or third countries associated with the program. Higher education institutions from third countries not associated with the program may also be involved where relevant, alongside other educational and non-educational partners possessing specific expertise and interest in the relevant study areas or professional domains.

The call for proposals is ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EMJM-DESIGN, utilizing the ERASMUS-LS ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants action type and the ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant [ERASMUS-AG-LS] model grant agreement. It follows a single-stage submission process.

Key Dates:
Publication of the call: 13/11/2025.
Planned opening date: 18 November 2025
Deadline for submitting applications: 12/02/2026 17:00 (Brussels time).
Evaluation period: February-June 2026.
Information to applicants: July 2026
Signature of the grant agreement: October 2026.

The total budget allocated to this topic is 3,000,000 EUR for the year 2026.

Conditions for participation include eligibility and admissibility criteria, as well as eligible countries, all of which are detailed in the call document. The evaluation process, criteria, scoring, and thresholds are also comprehensively described in the call document. The proposal page limits and layout are specified in Part B of the Application Form, accessible via the Submission System.

Essential documents for application include:
Call document
Standard application form (ERASMUS LSI)
ERASMUS Programme Guide
Lump Sum MGA
Guide for applicants

The submission system is scheduled to open on the date specified in the topic header.

For assistance, applicants can contact EACEA-EPLUS-ERASMUS-MUNDUS@ec.europa.eu. Additional support resources include the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ for proposal submissions, the IT Helpdesk for technical issues, and the Online Manual for a step-by-step guide through the Portal processes.

In summary, this Erasmus Mundus Design Measures call aims to foster the development of cutting-edge international master's programs by encouraging collaboration among higher education institutions across Europe and beyond. It seeks to address global challenges and enhance the quality and recognition of higher education through international partnerships. The funding supports the design phase of these programs, with the goal of creating innovative and integrated curricula that attract students worldwide and contribute to the European Education Area.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are higher education institutions from EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme. Where relevant, also higher education institutions from third countries not associated to the programme can be involved. Other educational and/or non-educational partners with specific expertise and interest in the concerned study areas/professional domains can also contribute. Beneficiaries should provide a level of education corresponding to level 7 of the international standard classification of education ISCED 2011.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically an ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant (ERASMUS-LS).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The international study programmes are planned to be jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes higher education institutions from EU Member States or third countries associated to the programme. Higher education institutions from third countries not associated to the programme can also be involved where relevant.

Target Sector: The target sector is education, specifically the modernization and internationalization of curricula at the Master level. The program aims to develop innovative international study programmes. Thematic areas include climate change, digital transformation and sustainable development.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, third countries associated to the programme, and third countries not associated to the programme are mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is the development of new master programmes, indicating a development stage.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic is EUR 3,000,000. The funding is provided as ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants. The indicative number of grants is not specified.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not specified in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not specified in the provided text.

Summary:

The Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-EMJM-DESIGN) is a funding opportunity under the Erasmus program aimed at reinforcing the integration and international dimension of the European Education Area. It seeks to enhance the capacities of higher education institutions in Europe to modernize and internationalize their curricula by developing new and innovative master programmes in partnership with diverse universities. The program encourages international collaboration to bring diverse academic perspectives and teaching methodologies, enriching the curriculum and broadening students' educational experiences.

The main objective is to support the development of highly integrated international study programmes at the Master level, which should be jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions from EU Member States, third countries associated with the programme, and, where relevant, higher education institutions from third countries not associated with the programme. Other educational and non-educational partners with specific expertise and interest in the relevant study areas can also contribute. Beneficiaries are expected to provide education corresponding to level 7 of the ISCED 2011 classification.

The funding is provided as ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, with a total budget of EUR 3,000,000 for the topic. The application process is single-stage, with the deadline for submitting applications on 12/02/2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time). The evaluation period is scheduled from February to June 2026, and the grant agreements are expected to be signed in October 2026.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions from EU Member States, third countries associated with the programme, and, where relevant, higher education institutions from third countries not associated with the programme. The program targets the education sector, focusing on climate change, digital transformation, and sustainable development.