Erasmus Mundus (TROPIMUNDO) Scholarships 2026 Open
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (TROPIMUNDO), coordinated by the Université libre de Bruxelles, has officially opened applications for its 2026 academic intake. This exceptional international programme offers students a unique chance to study the world’s most vital tropical ecosystems—across multiple continents—under a fully funded scholarship scheme supported by the European Commission and VLIRUOS ICP-Connect.
About the Programme
TROPIMUNDO is the first International Master’s programme in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (2 years, 120 ECTS). It immerses students in a rigorous interdisciplinary study of tropical biodiversity, combining advanced coursework with real-world field experience in diverse ecosystems. The programme’s structure allows students to explore key global biodiversity hotspots, including the Amazon rainforest, Caribbean islands, Indian Ocean and Pacific regions, Central-African rainforests, East-African Great Lakes, Malagasy forest systems, and Asian mangrove and aquatic ecosystems.
The first and third semesters focus on foundational and specialized academic training in Europe — particularly in Belgium, Italy, France, and French Guiana. The second semester is a hands-on experience through international fieldwork and research immersion. Finally, the fourth semester is dedicated to thesis research related to tropical ecosystems and conservation challenges.
Scholarship Coverage and Benefits
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship, financed by the European Commission, offers a fully funded package covering tuition fees, mobility costs, comprehensive insurance, and a monthly living allowance. Additionally, VLIRUOS scholarships under the “Mundus tropicalis” track guarantee funding for select applicants participating in academic trajectories through Kenya and the Philippines.
These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, previous professional experience, and linguistic proficiency. The selection process is competitive but open to students worldwide, with no country restrictions. This means that any student with a strong biology or environmental sciences background can apply, regardless of nationality.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field, meeting the programme’s academic prerequisites. Since TROPIMUNDO places strong emphasis on excellence, candidates are evaluated on their academic record, motivation, recommendation letters, and readiness for international mobility.
Students from both EU and non-EU countries are eligible to apply. The programme particularly encourages applications from students with prior field experience, research interest in tropical biodiversity, or involvement in sustainability projects.
Important Scholarship Timelines
For the 2025–2026 academic cycle, VLIRUOS scholarships have already been confirmed for several first-ranked applicants, while the European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus scholarships are pending approval. The final confirmation for VLIRUOS will be announced in January 2026, and for Erasmus Mundus in July 2026. Successful students will commence their studies in September 2026.
Application Deadline
The first call for scholarship applications for the 2026–2027 academic year is now open. The last date to apply for the Erasmus Mundus TROPIMUNDO Master Programme is 30 November 2025.