The Erasmus Mundus Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) Scholarship supports outstanding applicants for the September 2027 intake of this two-year Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM). The programme is jointly delivered by a consortium of universities in Europe and Asia, and selected students can receive a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship or a tuition fee scholarship that waives participation costs.
Key details
- Programme: Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE)
- Type: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM), 120 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits
- Duration: Four semesters / two years, full-time and on-site
- Intake: September 2027
- Language: English
- Coordinating institution: University for Continuing Education Krems (Austria)
- Consortium partners: Tampere University (Finland); Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (Germany); Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary); University of Aveiro (Portugal); Beijing Normal University (China); Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (India)
- Application deadline (Round 1): 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST)
- Round 2 video deadline (shortlisted only): 11 December 2026, 10:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET)
Funding
Participation costs (tuition fees) for the four-semester programme are set at EUR 18,000. According to the official MARIHE funding information, those costs are covered for all selected students:
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarship: participation costs covered; a monthly allowance of EUR 1,400 as a contribution to travel, visa, installation, and subsistence costs (for up to 24 months); worldwide health and accident insurance. The number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships per intake is limited.
- Tuition Fee Scholarship: participation costs of EUR 18,000 are waived by the consortium for selected students who do not receive an Erasmus Mundus scholarship; worldwide health and accident insurance is included. Additional options such as Erasmus+ Student Mobility funding or a limited consortium scholarship for students from deprived backgrounds and/or first-in-family students may also be available.
Applicants can apply for both funding tracks in the same application period. The consortium strongly recommends applying as both an Erasmus Mundus scholarship candidate and a Tuition Fee scholarship candidate to increase the chance of joining the 2027 intake.
Eligibility
MARIHE welcomes applicants of all nationalities. To be considered, you must:
- Hold a first university degree of at least three years of full-time study, corresponding to 180 ECTS (for example, a bachelor’s degree). The degree can be in any discipline. Cumulative recognition of several shorter degrees or recognition of work experience alone is not accepted.
- Prove sufficient English for academic purposes through an accepted test (for example, Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT), International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic), Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), Cambridge C1 Advanced, or Cambridge C2 Proficiency) at the scores required by MARIHE, or qualify for an exemption based on previous studies completed in English in an approved country, as listed on the official admission requirements page.
- Show strong motivation and interest in the development and management of research and innovation in higher education.
Work experience is not required for admission, but relevant experience (especially in higher education) can strengthen an application. Students who have already benefited from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship are not eligible for another Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
Programme structure and mobility
All students follow the same path in the first two semesters: Krems, Austria, then Tampere, Finland. In the third semester, students choose a specialization in Asia (Beijing, China, or Patiala, India) and in Europe (Krems, Tampere, Osnabrück, Budapest, or Aveiro). The master’s thesis in the fourth semester is written at one of the visited specialization hosts. A mandatory internship of at least eight weeks can be completed worldwide.
Student preferences are considered, but the MARIHE Consortium makes the final allocation of specialization hosts based on organizational factors (including visa requirements) and balanced distribution across partners.
How to apply
Applications for intake 2027 are submitted only electronically through the official MARIHE Evalato portal. Paper and email applications are not accepted. The application has two rounds:
- Read the current MARIHE Guidelines for Applicants and the admission requirements on the official site.
- Prepare Round 1 documents (application form, identity document, Europass curriculum vitae, motivation letter, degree certificate(s), transcript(s), English proof, two recommendation letters, and essay) and submit them via the official MARIHE Evalato application portal before 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST.
- If shortlisted for Round 2, upload the required video by 11 December 2026, 10:00 a.m. CET.
- Await eligibility checks, review outcomes, and final placement on an Erasmus Mundus or Tuition Fee scholarship main or reserve list.
For process questions, contact the MARIHE Secretariat only at the address published on the official website. Do not contact individual consortium members or alumni for admissions decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Is MARIHE fully funded?
All selected students have participation costs (EUR 18,000) covered. Full Erasmus Mundus scholarships also include a EUR 1,400 monthly allowance for up to 24 months plus insurance. Tuition Fee scholarship holders have fees waived and insurance included, but they must plan separately for living costs unless they secure other funding.
Can I apply from any country?
Yes. MARIHE does not restrict applications by nationality. You must meet the degree, English, and motivation requirements published by the consortium.
Do I need a degree in education?
No. Your first university degree can be from any discipline. Motivation for higher education research, innovation, and management is what matters most.
What if the Evalato portal is busy?
MARIHE notes that heavy traffic can temporarily affect registration near the deadline. If registration fails, try again later, and do not leave submission to the last minute.
