The MARIHE Erasmus Mundus MS Scholarship 2027 is now accepting applications for its 2027 intake. The Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) is a two-year, full-time, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program delivered through an international consortium with academic partners in Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, China, and India. International selected candidates may receive full tuition coverage, worldwide health and accident insurance, and Erasmus+ student mobility funding. For the strongest candidates, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship provides a €1,400 monthly allowance as a contribution toward travel, visa, installation, and living costs. MARIHE is designed for future higher education leaders, policy thinkers, university managers, innovation specialists, researchers, consultants, and institutional reform professionals. The program is open to applicants worldwide who hold a first university degree of at least three years' duration. The application deadline is 21 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CEST, with the program beginning in September 2027.
MARIHE Erasmus Mundus MS Scholarship 2027 | €1,400 Monthly Stipend + Tuition Waiver
Higher education is changing fast. Universities are under pressure to internationalize, digitalize, commercialize research, manage global partnerships, respond to labour market shifts, and prove their social value. The MARIHE Erasmus Mundus MS Scholarship 2027 directly targets this transformation zone. The Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) is the only Erasmus Mundus Joint Master program focused on future leaders and change-makers in higher education. It is a two-year, full-time, 120 ECTS program delivered through an international consortium with academic partners across Europe and Asia.
This is not a routine master's degree for students looking for a generic international credential. MARIHE is designed for applicants who want to understand how universities, research systems, innovation ecosystems, and education policy are being redesigned across the world. The financial structure is one of the strongest reasons global applicants should pay attention to this call. MARIHE offers tuition fee scholarships for all selected students, meaning participation costs and tuition fees are covered. For the strongest candidates, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship provides a €1,400 monthly allowance as a contribution toward travel, visa, installation, and living costs.
If you are interested in higher education, research systems, innovation, university leadership, policy, or institutional change, this program is designed for you. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything about the MARIHE Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027: financial benefits, eligibility criteria, consortium universities, and the step-by-step application process.
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Scholarship Details at a Glance
- Scholarship Name: MARIHE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master
- Program: Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education
- Duration: 2 years, full-time, 120 ECTS
- Host Countries: Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, China, India
- Funding Type: Fully Funded (tuition + stipend + insurance + mobility)
- Erasmus Mundus Stipend: €1,400 per month
- Additional Scholarship: For students from deprived backgrounds and first-in-family students (2 per intake)
- Eligible Applicants: International students worldwide
- Application Deadline: 21 September 2026, 10:00 a.m. CEST
- Program Start: September 2027
Why This Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Matters
Higher education is changing rapidly. MARIHE directly targets this transformation zone.
Key themes covered in the program:
- Higher education systems and policy
- Research and innovation management
- University governance and institutional transformation
- Entrepreneurship and innovation in education
- Internationalization of higher education
- Higher education leadership and administration
- Research-intensive institutions and university alliances
- Education consultancy and policy analysis
- Global academic cooperation and institutional strategy
This makes the program especially relevant for applicants who want careers in universities, ministries, quality assurance bodies, international education organizations, research agencies, think tanks, consulting firms, start-ups, or PhD-level research in higher education studies.
What Selected Students Can Receive / Benefits of Scholarship?
The financial structure is one of the strongest reasons to apply for MARIHE.
For all selected students:
- Full tuition fee coverage - Participation costs and tuition fees are covered
- Worldwide health and accident insurance
- Erasmus+ student mobility funding - May be available depending on the case
For Erasmus Mundus Scholarship winners:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Worldwide health and accident insurance
- €1,400 monthly allowance - As a contribution toward travel, visa, installation, and living costs
Additional scholarship option:
- Awarded by the consortium to two selected students per intake
- For students from deprived backgrounds and/or first-in-family students
In plain terms: MARIHE is not only offering admission into a European-Asian master's programme; it is offering a serious funding route for applicants who may otherwise be blocked by tuition, relocation, insurance, or living cost barriers.
Who Should Apply?
MARIHE is open to applicants from around the world who hold a first university degree.
You may be a suitable candidate if you meet the following conditions:
- Hold a first university degree of at least three years' duration, equivalent to 180 ECTS
- Are interested in higher education, research systems, innovation, university leadership, policy, or institutional change
- Have sufficient English language skills for a full English-taught international master's programme
- Are ready for a two-year, full-time study journey across different countries and academic cultures
- Can demonstrate motivation for a career connected to higher education, research-intensive institutions, public agencies, consultancy, international organizations, start-ups, or doctoral research
The key point: MARIHE is not only looking for applicants with a degree. It is looking for applicants who can explain why higher education matters, how institutions need to change, and how they want to contribute to that change.
The degree does not need to be in a specific subject field. A candidate may come from education, economics, social sciences, public administration, business, humanities, engineering, management, international relations, development studies, or another field - as long as the applicant can show a serious motivation for higher education, research, and innovation.
Participating Universities
MARIHE is coordinated by the University for Continuing Education Krems in Austria and supported by a wider international consortium.
Partner institutions include:
- University for Continuing Education Krems - Austria (Coordinator)
- 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
This multi-country consortium is what gives MARIHE its "without borders" character. Students are exposed to different higher education systems rather than being trained from one national perspective only.
What is application process for MARIHE Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Follow these steps to apply for the MARIHE Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
- Confirm you hold a first university degree of at least three years' duration (180 ECTS)
- Verify your English language proficiency meets the program requirements
- Ensure you can commit to a two-year, full-time study program
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter explaining why you want to study higher education
- English language proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Passport copy
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
- Visit the official MARIHE website: www.marihe.eu
- Create an account on the application portal
- Fill in all personal and academic information
- Upload all required documents
- Write a compelling motivation statement explaining your interest in higher education
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
- Ensure your application is complete
- Submit before 21 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CEST
- Late applications are not accepted
Step 5: Wait for Results
- Applications are reviewed by the consortium
- Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview
- Successful applicants will be notified by the consortium
Step 6: Accept the Offer and Prepare for Travel
- Accept the scholarship offer
- Arrange travel and accommodation
- Prepare for the program starting in September 2027