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Erasmus Mundus: funding boost for Arab Spring countries

16-12-2011

The European Commission has more than doubled the number of education and teaching grants available for young people and university staff from countries involved in the Arab Spring. Funding for a further 559 scholarships, on top of the 525 already planned for 2011-2012, are being allocated to Southern Mediterranean countries through Erasmus Mundus, the international version of the European Commission's Erasmus student and staff exchange scheme.
 
The recipients will be able to spend part of their studies, research or a teaching period in the European Union. The Commission is increasing its grant funding to encourage learning and training opportunities for individuals who are viewed as key to strengthening democracy in the region. The move is part of the EU's strategic response to the Arab Spring.
 
"I am very pleased that the Commission is increasing funding for young people and teachers who have been at the forefront of the democratisation process in the Southern Mediterranean. This sends a clear signal of our commitment to their cause," said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
 
Erasmus Mundus is open to applicants from all over the world, including the European Union. Since the launch of the scheme in 2004, more than 12 000 students, 300 doctoral candidates and 2 000 professors have received scholarships for joint Master's degree courses or doctorate programmes.
 
In the 2011-2012 academic year, around 6,000 students and researchers from 150 countries have already received scholarships worth a total of €210 million. The Commission has provided an additional €10 million to fund the extra 559 scholarships for countries in the Southern Mediterranean. These countries are expected to benefit from further increases in funding for Erasmus Mundus scholarships and grants in 2012-13.
 
Over three-quarters of the grants offered through Erasmus Mundus since 2004 have been awarded to people in non-EU countries, including more than 3,000 from North Africa and the Middle East. The size of the scholarship depends on the length of study or training period, the educational level of the candidate and the country of origin. Non-Europeans studying in the European Union receive at least €1,000 per month towards their living costs while European students studying outside Europe receive at least €500 per month. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
Read more
 
Press release
 
Erasmus Mundus – webpage
 
The EU response to the Arab Spring
 
 
 

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