After the success of European Union’s scholarship programme Erasmus Mundus which saw India as the highest beneficiary, EU has expanded the earlier programme and launched the Erasmus+ programme which brings together seven existing EU programmes in the fields of education, youth, training and culture and has introduced sports.
The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships, travel and living expenses, tuition fees for approved courses from three months to full master’s degrees.
India is one of the partner countries of the Erasmus+, enabling Indian students to avail most of the actions (especially higher education) under the programme. For course details, funding and eligibility details, interested candidates can check out the Erasmus+ website: http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/index_en.htm.
Applications are invited from October to February every year.
The programme aims to improve the quality of vocational education and training across Europe and build partnerships with other organisations to establish employability.
Till 2013, 3,400 Indian students from all over India had availed the Erasmus Mundus scholarships. With the Erasmus+ programmes, newer opportunities are offered, primarily for higher education institutions, staff and students.
In order to discuss greater participation from Indian universities in EU-funded programmes, a workshop was held in New Delhi recently with EU representatives and Indian academicians.
