75 Indian students have been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) scholarships for the academic cycle 2026-28, once again making India one of the major beneficiaries of the EU’s flagship higher education programme.The latest batch highlights India’s continued success in its scholarship programmes, with the country remaining one of the top recipients of scholarships globally. The achievement comes at a time when nearly one hundred thousand Indian students are pursuing higher education across Europe, reflecting the growing academic ties between India and the continent.The news was announced at a pre-departure event hosted by the EU Delegation to India in New Delhi, where selected academics, alumni, education experts and representatives of EU member states gathered before the students’ departure.
Scholars will travel to 15 European countries to conduct research
Selected students will study for master’s degrees at universities in 15 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.Their research areas range from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to renewable energy, smart city development and vaccinology. Others will focus on subjects such as the humanities, social sciences and gender studies.The scholarship program also continues a trend of near-equal representation of male and female students, underscoring efforts to ensure broader participation across disciplines.
EU launches network of student ambassadors
While announcing the scholarships, the EU also launched the EU-India Student Ambassadors Network, bringing together 40 students from 20 universities across 14 states and Union Territories.The ambassadors will work to raise awareness among Indian students about educational opportunities, research collaborations and exchange programs in Europe. The initiative is expected to serve as a bridge between young people from India and Europe while encouraging more students to explore international study options.
Selected students from top universities
The ambassador network includes students from some of India’s leading institutions, including IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi and University of Mumbai.Regional institutions such as Panjab University and Gauhati University were also represented, reflecting the reach of the project beyond major metropolitan centres.
More than 20 years of academic cooperation
India has been one of the strongest players in the Erasmus+ program since it began engaging Indian students. Since 2004, more than 7,500 scholarships have been awarded to Indian nationals, while more than 2,500 students have completed joint master’s degrees through the program.The impact of the program goes beyond student mobility. Since 2021, Indian universities have been involved in 16 projects aimed at strengthening higher education capacity, while 17 Indian academics have been recognized for their work in European studies through the Jean Monnet Initiative.
