European Union - MER Consortium Grants-Research Grants

What you get

For the five-month research phase of your Master’s thesis, you will receive 2,500 EUR per month, i.e. a total of up to approximately 12,500 EUR. These funds are used to finance the second year of the MER Master’s programme, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme in ‘Marine Environment and Resources’ (MER2030). You will study at various universities in Spain, the UK, France, Belgium and Portugal. This funding covers the period during which you carry out your research and write your Master’s thesis.

Who can apply

• Programme: You have been admitted to the MER programme (Master of Science in Marine Environment and Resources).
• Study year: You are in your 2 academic year, the research and dissertation phase. First-year students are not eligible to apply.
• Other funding: You are not in receipt of an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or any other funding that would conflict with it, such as a national scholarship.
• Grades: You have achieved excellent results in your studies so far.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Where funds are limited, priority will be given to applicants from the countries of the MER Consortium (partners and associate members).

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the MER application system under the ‘Grants and Fellowships’ section. The deadline for applications is 1 December of your second year of study, once your final-year project and your supervisor have been finalised.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very narrowly defined. You must already be a Master’s student in year 2 of the MER programme and must not be receiving an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, so the pool of eligible candidates is small. If you meet these criteria and have very good grades, your chances are good. Award of the scholarship depends on the funds available, with priority given to applicants from the consortium’s partner countries.