Decision No 1298/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 establishing the Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 action programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through cooperation with third countries (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-12-16
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: action programme, cultural policy, higher education, teaching quality, third country, youth exchange scheme

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DECISION No 1298/2008/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 16 December 2008

establishing the Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013 action programme for the enhancement of quality in
higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through cooperation with third
countries

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community, and in particular Article 149(4) thereof,

establishing the European

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (1),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure
Article 251 of the Treaty (2),

laid down in

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Decision No 2317/2003/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council (3) established a programme for the
enhancement of quality in higher education and the
promotion of intercultural understanding through coop­
(2004-
eration with third countries (Erasmus Mundus)
2008).

Partnership

Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 (4) established an
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), Regulation
(EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of
the Council (5) established a European Neighbourhood
and
(EC) No
the
1905/2006 of
Council (6) established a financing instrument for devel­
opment
cooperation, Council Regulation (EC) No
1934/2006 (7) established a financing instrument for co­
operation with industrialised and other high-income
countries and territories and the Partnership Agreement

the European Parliament and of

Instrument, Regulation

(3)

(4)

(5)

establishing

between the members of
the African, Caribbean and
Pacific Group of States and the European Community
and its Member States, signed in Cotonou on 23 June
2000 (8)
(the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement) and the
of
Internal Agreement
Community
financial
framework for the period 2008 to 2013 in accordance
with the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the allo­
cation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries
the EC Treaty
and Territories to which Part Four of
applies (9)
(Internal ACP-EC Agreement), govern the
European Development Fund.

the multiannual

financing

under

the

aid

The new Erasmus Mundus programme is consistent with
the objectives of excellence set out in the programme for
2004 to 2008. It helps attract the best students from
third countries due to the quality of the studies on offer,
the quality of the reception arrangements and a scho­
larship scheme that can compete with any in the world.

discipline

During the course of negotiating the external assistance
instruments and the Interinstitutional Agreement on
budgetary
financial
management (10), the European Parliament, the Council
and the Commission reached a number of under­
standings on democratic scrutiny and coherence of
external action, which are set out in Declaration 4 to
the Interinstitutional Agreement.

sound

and

the 45 Ministers of Higher Education of

The Bologna Declaration, signed by the Ministers for
Education of 29 European countries on 19 June 1999,
established an intergovernmental process
aimed at
creating a ‘European Higher Education Area’ by 2010,
a process which is actively supported at Community
level. At their meeting in London on 17 and 18 May
2007,
the
countries participating in the Bologna process adopted
the strategy ‘The European Higher Education Area in a
Global Setting’ and, in this context, identified as priorities
for 2009 improved information about
the European
Higher Education Area and improved recognition of
higher education qualifications with other parts of the
world.

(1) OJ C 204, 9.8.2008, p. 85.
(2) Opinion of the European Parliament of 21 October 2008 (not yet
published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of
16 December 2008.

(3) OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 82.
(5) OJ L 310, 9.11.2006, p. 1.
(6) OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41.
(7) OJ L 405, 30.12.2006, p. 41.

(6)

The extraordinary European Council meeting in Lisbon
on 23 and 24 March 2000 set a strategic goal for the
European Union to become the most competitive and
dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world and

(8) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.
(9) OJ L 247, 9.9.2006, p. 32.
(10) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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and

priorities while

to
invited the Education, Youth and Culture Council
undertake a general reflection on the concrete future
objectives of education systems, focusing on common
concerns
respecting national
diversity. On 12 February 2001, the Council adopted a
report on the concrete future objectives of education and
training systems. On 14 June 2002,
it subsequently
adopted a detailed work programme on the follow-up
of
those objectives, requiring support at Community
level. The European Council meeting in Barcelona on
15 and 16 March 2002 set the objective of making
the European Union's education and training systems a
world quality reference by 2010.

in

competitiveness

for Universities:

The Commission Communications of 20 April 2005 and
10 May 2006 entitled ‘Mobilising the Brainpower of
Europe: enabling universities to make their full contri­
bution to the Lisbon Strategy’ and ‘Delivering on the
Modernisation Agenda
education,
research and innovation’,
the Council Resolution of
23 November 2007 on modernising universities for
knowledge
Europe's
economy and Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 of
the
European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March
2008 establishing the European Institute of Innovation
and Technology (1) underline the need for European
higher education institutions to overcome their fragmen­
tation and join forces in a quest for increased quality in
teaching and research as well as for a better response to
the changing needs of the labour market. The European
Council meeting in Brussels on 15 and 16 June 2006
endorsed the need to modernise European higher
education.

global

a

future of

The interim evaluation report of the existing Erasmus
Mundus programme and the open public consultation
the programme underlined the
on the
relevance of the objectives and actions of the current
programme and expressed a wish for continuity, with
certain adaptations such as extending the programme
to the doctoral level, integrating higher education insti­
tutions located in third countries and the needs of those
countries more strongly and providing more funds to
European participants.

Enhancing the quality of European higher education,
promoting understanding between peoples as well as
contributing to the sustainable development of higher
education in third countries whilst avoiding the brain-
drain and favouring vulnerable groups are the objectives
of a higher education cooperation programme aimed at
third countries. The most effective means of achieving
those aims in a programme of excellence are highly inte­
grated study programmes at postgraduate level and, as
regards Erasmus Mundus Partnerships (Action 2), part­
nerships with third countries at all levels of study, scho­

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

larships for the most talented students and projects to
enhance the worldwide attractiveness of European higher
education. More precisely, the objectives of excellence
should be pursued through Erasmus Mundus
Joint
Programmes (Action 1) and Action 2, while the develop­
ment objectives should be covered exclusively by Action
2. In its evaluation of the programme, the Commission
should pay particular attention to its potential brain-
drain effects.

that

to ensure

the beneficiaries of

In order
the
programme enjoy a high quality welcome and stay, the
Member States should endeavour to make their visa
processes as straightforward as possible. The Commission
should ensure that all
the relevant websites of, and
contact details in, the Member States are listed on the
Erasmus Mundus website.

for human rights,

There is a need to step up the fight against exclusion in
all its forms, including racism, xenophobia and all forms
of discrimination, and to step up Community efforts to
promote dialogue and understanding between cultures
social dimension of higher
world-wide. Given the
the ideals of democracy and
education as well as
respect
including questions of
equality between men and women, that it encourages,
mobility in this area allows individuals to experience
new cultural and social environments and facilitates
their understanding of other cultures. The pursuit of
those objectives respects the rights and observes the prin­
ciples reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of
the European Union (2),
in particular Article 21(1)
thereof.

Promoting the teaching and learning of languages and
linguistic diversity should be a priority of Community
action in the field of higher education. The teaching
languages are of special relevance in
and learning of
relation to third countries
and to the European
students who go to those countries.

the

complemented

In the period 2004 to 2008, country-specific scho­
larships funded through the Commission's external co­
operation instruments
Erasmus
Mundus scholarships in order to extend the number of
beneficiary students coming from specific third countries,
such as China, India, the Western Balkan countries or the
ACP countries, to study in Europe. Similar opportunities
could be envisaged for the period 2009 to 2013 in
rules
accordance with the political priorities,
and
procedures
cooperation
relevant
instruments and in line with the programme's objectives
of academic excellence established by this Decision and
taking into account a geographical
representation of
beneficiaries that is as balanced as possible.

external

the

of

(1) OJ L 97, 9.4.2008, p. 1.

(2) OJ C 303, 14.12.2007, p. 1.

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(14)

In all its activities, the Community must aim to eliminate
inequalities, and promote equality, between men and
women, as provided for in Article 3(2) of the Treaty.

institutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission
on
financial
management (3), for the budgetary authority during the
annual budgetary procedure.

budgetary

discipline

sound

and

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

There is a need to widen access for those from disad­
vantaged groups and to address actively the special
learning needs of people with disabilities in the im­
plementation of all parts of the programme,
including
through the use of higher grants to reflect the additional
costs of disabled participants.

(20)

does

this
In accordance with Article 149 of
legal
the
not
Decision
frameworks and procedures relating,
to
the setting up and recognition of higher education insti­
tutions.

the Treaty,
national
in particular,

prejudice

In order to give the programme more publicity within
the European Union and beyond its borders, to achieve
its objectives to a greater extent and disseminate the
results of the programme, there is a need for an inte­
grated public information policy to provide citizens with
timely and complete information on each of the actions
and opportunities offered by the programme, as well as
clarification of the procedures to be followed. The infor­
mation policy, which should primarily be conveyed
through the participating higher education institutions,
is of particular importance, principally in countries with
low levels of participation in the programme.

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of
25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to
the general budget of the European Communities (1) and
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of
23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
1605/2002 (2) which
the Community's
financial
into
account the principles of simplicity and consistency in
the choice of budgetary instruments in line with the
programme's objectives of academic excellence and the
required
of
resources and the administrative burden related to their
use.

applied taking

proportionality

should be

safeguard

interests,

between

amount

the

In line with the programme's objectives of academic
excellence,
the measures necessary for the implemen­
tation of Action 1 and the promotion of European
higher education (Action 3)
should be adopted in
accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of
28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for
the
implementing powers conferred on the
exercise of
Commission (4). The measures necessary for
the im­
plementation of Action 2 should be
adopted in
accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006, Regu­
lation (EC) No 1638/2006, Regulation (EC) No
1905/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006, the ACP-
EC Partnership Agreement and the Internal ACP-EC
Agreement.

(21)

Since the objectives of
this Decision cannot be suf­
ficiently achieved by the Member States because of the
need for multilateral partnerships, multilateral mobility
and exchanges of information between the Community
and third countries, and can therefore, by reason of the
nature of the actions and measures necessary, be better
achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt
measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity
as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with
the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article,
this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in
order to achieve those objectives,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Establishment of the programme

1.
This Decision establishes the Erasmus Mundus programme
(hereinafter ‘the programme’) for the promotion of quality in
European higher education and intercultural understanding
through cooperation with third countries on the one hand
and for the development of
third countries in the field of
higher education on the other. The programme should be im­
plemented in line with objectives of academic excellence while
taking into account a geographical representation of benefi­
ciaries that is as balanced as possible.

(19)

This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the
programme, a financial envelope constituting the prime
reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Inter­

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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The programme shall be implemented over a period
2.
starting on 1 January 2009 and ending on 31 December
2013. However, preparatory measures,
including decisions by
the Commission in accordance with Article 7, may be im­
plemented as from the entry into force of this Decision.

after obtaining

the degree which formally
practice,
entitled him/her to embark on a doctorate offered by a
higher education institution;

3.
The programme shall support and supplement action
taken by and in the Member States while fully respecting
their responsibility for the content of education and the organ­
isation of education and training systems, and their cultural and
linguistic diversity.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Decision:

1.

2.

‘higher education’ means all types of courses of study, or
sets of courses of study, training or training for research at
the post-secondary level which are recognised by the
relevant national authority as belonging to the higher
education system;

education institution’ means

‘higher
institution
the
providing higher
relevant national authority as belonging to the higher
education system;

education and

recognised by

any

10.

3.

‘student in first cycle’ means a person enrolled in a first
cycle programme of higher education who will obtain after
completion of
the programme a first higher education
degree;

4.

‘masters student’ (student in second cycle) means a person
enrolled in a second cycle programme of higher education
who has already obtained a first higher education degree or
has an equivalent level of learning recognised in accordance
with national law and practices;

5.

‘doctoral candidate’
(candidate in third cycle) means an
early-stage researcher at the beginning of his/her research
career, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which
would formally entitle him/her to embark on a doctorate;

6.

‘post-doctoral researcher’ means an experienced researcher
who is in possession of a doctorate or who has at least
three years of
research experience,
including the period of research training at a research
law and
centre established in accordance with national

full-time equivalent

7.

‘academic’ means a person with outstanding academic
and/or professional experience who lectures or conducts
research in a higher education institution or a research
law and
centre established in accordance with national
practice;

8.

‘higher education staff’ means persons who, through their
duties, are involved directly in the educational process
related to higher education;

9.

‘European country’ means a country which is a Member
State or which participates in the programme according
to Article 9. ‘European’ referring to an individual means a
person who is a national or a resident of any European
‘European’ referring to an institution means an
country.
institution which is located in any European country;

‘third country’ means a country which is not a European
country. ‘Third-country’ referring to an individual means a
person who is neither a national nor a resident of any
European country. ‘Third-country’ referring to an institution
means an institution which is not located in any European
country. The
action
programme in the field of lifelong learning established by
Decision No 1720/2006/EC of the European Parliament
the Council (1) are not considered to be third
and of
countries for the purpose of implementing Action 2;

participating

countries

in the

11.

‘masters programme’ (second cycle) means a second cycle
programme of higher education that follows a first degree
or an equivalent level of learning leading to masters level
offered by a higher education institution;

12.

‘doctoral programme’ (third cycle) means a research-related
programme of higher education study that follows a higher
education degree and leads to a doctoral degree offered by
a higher education institution or, in those Member States
where this is in accordance with national law and practice,
by a research centre;

13.

‘mobility’ means moving physically to another country, in
order to undertake study, work experience, research, other
learning or teaching or research activity or related admin­
istrative
by
supported wherever
preparatory training in the host language;

possible

activity,

(1) OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 45.

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14.

‘double or multiple degree’ means two or more national
diplomas issued by two or more higher education insti­
tutions and recognised officially in the countries where
the degree-awarding institutions are located;

(d) to improve accessibility and enhance the profile and visi­
bility of European higher education in the world as well as
its attractiveness for third-country and European nationals.

15.

‘joint degree’ means a single diploma issued by at least two
of the higher education institutions offering an integrated
programme and recognised officially in the countries where
the degree-awarding institutions are located;

16.

‘enterprise’ means any undertaking engaged in economic
activity in the public and private sector, whatever its size,
legal status or the economic sector in which it operate,
including the social economy.

Article 3

Aims and specific objectives of the programme

The aims of the programme are to promote European
1.
higher education,
to help improve and enhance the career
prospects of students and to promote intercultural under­
in
standing
accordance with EU external policy objectives in order to
contribute to the sustainable development of third countries
in the field of higher education.

cooperation with

countries,

through

third

2.

The specific objectives of the programme are:

(a)

promote

structured

cooperation

to
higher
education institutions and to promote an offer of high
quality in higher education with a distinct European added
value, attractive both within the European Union and
beyond its borders, with a view to creating centres of
excellence;

between

(b) to contribute to the mutual enrichment of societies by
developing the qualifications of men and women so that
they possess appropriate skills, particularly as regards the
labour market, and are open-minded and internationally
experienced,
the
most talented students and academics from third countries
to obtain qualifications and/or experience in the European
Union and for the most talented European students and
academics towards third countries;

through promoting mobility both for

(c)

international

to contribute towards the development of human resources
and the
cooperation capacity of higher
education institutions in third countries through increased
mobility streams between the European Union and third
countries;

The Commission shall ensure that no group of third-

3.
country or European nationals is excluded or disadvantaged.

Article 4

Programme actions

1.
The aims and specific objectives of the programme as set
out in Article 3 shall be pursued by means of the following
actions:

(a) Action 1: Erasmus Mundus joint programmes (masters and
doctoral programmes) of outstanding academic quality,
including a scholarship scheme;

(b) Action 2: Erasmus Mundus partnerships between European
and third-country higher education institutions as a basis for
structured cooperation, exchange and mobility at all levels
of higher education, including a scholarship scheme;

(c) Action 3: promotion of European higher education through
measures enhancing the attractiveness of Europe as an
educational destination and a centre of excellence at world
level.

Further details of these actions are set out in the Annex.

2.
As regards Action 2, the provisions of this Decision apply
only in so far as they are in conformity with the provisions of
the
act under which funding is provided in
accordance with Article 12(2).

legislative

The

3.
combined where appropriate:

following types of

approaches may be used,

(a) support for the development of high-quality joint educa­
tional programmes and cooperation networks facilitating
the exchange of experience and good practice;

taking into account

(b) enhanced support for mobility of people in the field of
higher
academic
education selected on the basis of
excellence, particularly from third countries to European
the principles of equality
countries,
between men and women and the wish to have a
geographic representation that is as balanced as possible,
while facilitating access to the programme in accordance
with the principles of equal opportunities and non-discrimi­
nation;

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(c) promotion of language skills to the greatest extent possible,
providing students with the possibility of learning at least
two of the languages spoken in the countries in which the
higher education institutions are situated, and promotion of
the understanding of different cultures;

(d) support for pilot projects based on partnerships with an
external dimension designed to develop innovation and
quality in higher education, in particular for the possibility
of
and
encouraging
economic actors;

partnerships

academic

between

(e) support for the analysis and follow-up of trends in, and the
international

education

higher

of,

an

in

evolution
perspective.

4.
The programme provides for technical support measures
including studies, meetings of experts as well as information
and publications directly linked to the achievement of
the
objectives of the programme.

5.
The Commission shall ensure the widest possible dissemi­
nation of information on activities and developments in the
programme, mainly through the Erasmus Mundus website.

6.
Support for the actions referred to in this Article may be
granted by the Commission after examining the replies received
to the
to calls for proposals and/or tenders. With respect
measures taken under paragraph 4, the Commission may,
if
necessary,
these measures directly in accordance
with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002. It shall system­
atically inform the European Parliament and the Committee
referred to in Article 8(1) of this Decision.

implement

Article 5

Access to the programme

Under the conditions and arrangements for implementation
specified in the Annex and bearing in mind the definitions in
Article 2, the programme is aimed at:

(a) higher education institutions;

(f) other public or private bodies active in the field of higher

education under national law and practice;

(g) enterprises;

(h) research centres.

Article 6

Tasks of the Commission and of the Member States

1.

The Commission shall:

(a) ensure the effective and transparent implementation of the
Community actions provided for by the programme in
conformity with the Annex and, as regards Action 2, with
the legal
instruments referred to in Article 7(1) and in
compliance with the programme's objectives of academic
excellence in selecting the beneficiaries of the programme;

(b) take account of bilateral cooperation with third countries

undertaken by Member States;

(c) seek synergies and, where appropriate, develop joint actions
with other Community programmes and actions in the field
of higher education and research;

(d) ensure, when determining the flat-rate amounts for the
scholarships, to take into consideration the level of tuition
fees and the estimated expenditure for the studies;

(e) consult the relevant European associations and organisations
in the field of higher education about issues raised during
the programme and inform the
the implementation of
Committee referred to in Article 8(1) of
the results of
such consultation;

(f) keep its delegations

in the third countries concerned
regularly informed of all useful public information on the
programme.

(b) students in higher education, at all levels, including doctoral

candidates;

2.

The Member States shall:

(c) post-doctoral researchers;

(d) academics;

(e) higher education staff;

(a)

involving all

take the necessary steps to ensure the efficient running of
the programme at Member State level
the
parties concerned in higher education in accordance with
national practice, and endeavour to adopt such measures as
may be deemed appropriate to remove any legal and admin­
istrative barrier linked specifically to exchange programmes
between European countries and third countries. Member
States should ensure that they provide accurate and clear
information to students and institutions to facilitate their
participation in the programme;

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(b) designate appropriate structures to cooperate closely with

(d) the selection procedures, including the composition and the

the Commission;

internal rules of procedure of the selection board;

(c) encourage potential

synergies with other Community
programmes and possible similar national initiatives taken
at Member State level.

(e)

the
arrangements
programme and for
results.

for monitoring and evaluating the
the dissemination and transfer of

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States,

3.
shall ensure:

3.
The selection decisions shall be taken by the Commission,
which shall inform the European Parliament and the Committee
referred to in Article 8(1) thereof within two working days.

(a) appropriate

information, publicity and follow-up with

regard to actions supported by the programme;

Article 8

Committee procedure

(b) the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken

1.

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.

within the framework of the programme;

(c) an intensification of the communication strategy aimed at
potentially interested parties in European countries, and
encouragement of partnerships between universities,
the
social partners and non-governmental organisations, with
a view to developing the programme.

Article 7

Implementing measures

1.
All measures necessary for the implementation of Action
2 shall be governed by the procedures set out in Regulation
(EC) No 1085/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006, Regu­
lation (EC) No 1905/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006,
the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the Internal ACP-EC
Agreement. The Commission shall on a regular basis inform
the Committee referred to in Article 8(1) of the measures taken.

2.
The following measures necessary for the implementation
of the programme and of the other actions of this Decision
adopted in accordance with the management
shall be
procedure referred to in Article 8(2)
in accordance with the
principles, general guidelines and selection criteria laid down
in the Annex:

(a)

the annual plan of work, including priorities;

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at two months.

Article 9

Participation of other countries in the programme on the
same footing as Member States

The programme shall be open to the participation of:

(a) EFTA countries which are members of

in
accordance with the conditions laid down in the EEA
Agreement;

the EEA,

(b) the candidate countries which have a pre-accession strategy,
in accordance with the general principles and general terms
and conditions laid down in the framework agreements
concluded with these countries for their participation in
Community programmes;

(b) the annual budget,

funds among the
the breakdown of
different actions of the programme, and indicative grant
amounts;

(c)

the countries of the Western Balkans,
in accordance with
the general principles and general terms and conditions laid
down in the framework agreements concluded with these
countries for their participation in Community programmes;

(c)

the application of the general guidelines for implementing
the programme, including the selection criteria as laid down
in the Annex;

(d) The

Swiss Confederation,

bilateral
provided
foreseeing its participation is concluded with

that

a

agreement
that country.

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Article 10

Horizontal issues

bilateral agreements, and the competent international organis­
ations.

In implementing the programme, due regard shall be paid to
ensuring that it contributes fully to furthering the horizontal
policies of the Community, in particular by:

(a) enhancing the European knowledge-based economy and
society and contributing to creating more jobs in line
with the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy and strengthening
the global competitiveness of
its
sustainable economic growth and its greater social cohesion;

the European Union,

(b) fostering culture, knowledge and skills for peaceful and

sustainable development in a Europe of diversity;

(c) promoting an awareness of the importance of cultural and
linguistic diversity within Europe, as well as of the need to
combat racism and xenophobia and promoting intercultural
education;

(d) making provision for students with special needs, and in
particular by helping to promote their integration into
mainstream higher education, and promoting equal oppor­
tunities for all;

(e) promoting equality between men and women and contri­
buting to combating all forms of discrimination based on
sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age
or sexual orientation;

(f) promoting the development of third countries.

Article 11

Consistency and complementarity with other policies

1.
The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member
States, ensure overall consistency and complementarity with
other relevant Community policies,
instruments and actions,
the
in particular with the Lifelong Learning Programme,
Seventh Framework Programme for Research, development
policy, external cooperation programmes, the ACP Association
Agreements and the European Fund for the Integration of third-
country nationals.

Article 12

Funding

1.
The financial envelope for the implementation of Actions
1 and 3 and related technical support measures referred to in
Article 4(4)
the 2009-2013 period is hereby set at
EUR 493 690 000.

for

The financial envelope for the implementation of Action 2
2.
and related technical
referred to in
support measures
Article 4(4) for the period specified in Article 1(2) is set in
accordance with the rules, procedures and objectives
laid
down in Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006, Regulation (EC) No
1638/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006, Regulation (EC)
No 1934/2006, the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the
Internal ACP-EC Agreement.

The

annual

appropriations

3.
in
accordance with the annual budgetary procedure by the
financial
budgetary
framework.

authority within the

authorised

limits of

shall be

the

Article 13

Monitoring and evaluation

The Commission shall regularly monitor the programme
1.
the
in cooperation with the Member States. The results of
process of monitoring and evaluation of the programme and
of the previous programme shall be utilised when implementing
the programme. Such monitoring shall include an analysis of
the geographic distribution of programme beneficiaries by
and communication
action and by country,
referred to in paragraph 3 and specific activities.

reports

the

The programme shall be evaluated regularly by the
2.
Commission having regard to the objectives laid down in
Article 3, the impact of the programme as a whole and the
complementarity between actions under the programme and
those pursued under other
relevant Community policies,
instruments and actions.

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament,
3.
the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and
the Committee of the Regions:

2.
The Commission shall keep the European Parliament and
the Committee referred to in Article 8(1) regularly informed
fields and
about Community initiatives
ensure efficient linkage and, where appropriate,
joint actions
between the programme and the programmes and actions in
the area of higher education undertaken within the framework
of the Community's cooperation with third countries, including

taken in relevant

(a) an interim evaluation report on the results achieved and on
the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the implemen­
tation of the programme by 31 March of the second year
following the actual start of the new courses set up under
the programme;

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(b) a communication on the continuation of the programme by

30 January 2012;

instruments mentioned in Article 7(1) shall be administered in
conformity with the provisions of those instruments.

(c) an ex post evaluation report by 31 December 2015.

Article 14

Transitional provisions

Actions which are initiated on or before 31 December
1.
2008 on the basis of Decision No 2317/2003/EC shall be
administered in conformity with the provisions of
that
Decision, with the exception that the Committee established
by that Decision shall be replaced by the Committee referred
to in Article 8(1) of this Decision.

2.
Actions which are initiated on or before 31 December
2008 on the basis of the procedures laid down in the legal

Article 15

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 16 December 2008.

For the European Parliament
The President

H.-G. PÖTTERING

For the Council
The President

B. LE MAIRE

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ANNEX

COMMUNITY ACTIONS (GENERAL GUIDELINES AND SELECTION CRITERIA), SELECTION PROCEDURES
AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

All the actions under the programme shall be implemented in accordance with the general guidelines and selection
criteria described in this Annex.

ACTION 1: ERASMUS MUNDUS JOINT PROGRAMMES

A. ERASMUS MUNDUS MASTERS PROGRAMMES

1. The Community shall select masters programmes of outstanding academic quality which, for the purposes of the

programme, shall be called ‘Erasmus Mundus masters programmes’.

2. For the purposes of the programme, Erasmus Mundus masters programmes shall comply with the following general

guidelines and selection criteria:

(a)

they shall involve higher education institutions from a minimum of three different European countries;

(b)

they may involve higher education institutions or other relevant partners, such as research centres, from third
countries;

(c)

they shall implement a study programme which involves a period of study in at least two of the participating
higher education institutions under point (a);

(d) where appropriate, they shall encourage placements as part of the study programme;

(e)

they shall have built-in mechanisms for the recognition of periods of study undertaken in partner institutions
based on, or compatible with, the European credit transfer and accumulation system;

(f)

they shall result in the awarding of joint and/or double or multiple degrees, recognised or accredited by the
European countries, from the participating institutions. Programmes resulting in the awarding of joint degrees
shall be promoted;

(g)

they shall establish stringent self-evaluation procedures and agree to be peer reviewed by external experts (from
European or third countries) in order to ensure the continuing high quality of the masters programme;

(h)

they shall reserve a minimum of places for, and host, European and third-country students who have been
granted financial support under the programme;

(i)

they shall establish transparent joint conditions for admissions which pay due regard, inter alia, to gender and
equity issues and which facilitate access in accordance with the principles of equal opportunities and non-
discrimination;

(j)

they shall be free to decide whether or not to establish tuition fees, in accordance with their national law and the
agreement concluded between involved partners under points (a) and (b);

(k)

they shall agree to comply with the rules applicable to the selection procedure for beneficiaries of grants (students
and academics);

(l)

they shall put in place appropriate arrangements to facilitate access and hosting of European and third-country
students (information facilities, accommodation, assistance with visas, etc.). The Commission shall keep its
delegations in the third countries concerned regularly informed of all updated provisions regarding the
programme;

(m) without prejudice to the language of instruction, they shall provide for the use of at least two European languages
spoken in the Member States where the higher education institutions involved in the Erasmus Mundus masters
programme are situated and, as appropriate, offer preparatory language training and assistance for students, in
particular by means of courses organised by the institutions in question.

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3. Erasmus Mundus masters programmes shall be selected for a five-year period, subject to an annual renewal procedure

based on progress reporting.

4. The Erasmus Mundus masters programmes selected under the Erasmus Mundus programme for 2004-2008 shall
continue within the framework of Action 1 until the end of the period for which they have been selected, subject to
an annual renewal procedure based on progress reporting.

B. ERASMUS MUNDUS DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

1. The Community shall select doctoral programmes of outstanding academic quality which, for the purposes of the

programme, shall be called ‘Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes’.

2. For the purposes of the programme, Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes shall comply with the following general

guidelines and selection criteria:

(a)

they shall involve higher education institutions from a minimum of three different European countries and, where
appropriate, other relevant partners to ensure innovation and employability;

(b)

they may involve higher education institutions or other relevant partners, such as research centres, from third
countries;

(c)

they shall implement a doctoral programme which involves a period of study and research in at least two of the
participating higher education institutions under point (a);

(d)

they shall encourage placements as part of the doctoral programme as well as partnerships between academic and
economic actors;

(e)

they shall have built-in mechanisms for the recognition of periods of study and research undertaken in partner
institutions;

(f)

(g)

they shall result in the awarding of joint and/or double or multiple degrees, recognised or accredited by the
European countries, from the participating institutions. Programmes resulting in the awarding of joint degrees
shall be promoted;

they shall establish stringent self-evaluation procedures and agree to be peer reviewed by external experts (from
European or third countries, but working in the former) in order to ensure the continuing high quality of the
doctoral programme;

(h)

they shall reserve a minimum of places for, and host, European and third-country doctoral candidates who have
been granted financial support under the programme;

(i)

they shall establish transparent joint conditions for admissions which pay due regard, inter alia, to gender and
equity issues and which facilitate access in accordance with the principle of equal opportunities and non-
discrimination;

(j)

they shall be free to decide whether or not to establish tuition fees, in accordance with their national law and the
agreement concluded between involved partners under points (a) and (b);

(k)

they shall agree to comply with the rules applicable to the selection procedure of doctoral candidates;

(l)

they shall put in place appropriate arrangements to facilitate access and hosting of European and third-country
doctoral candidates (information facilities, accommodation, assistance with visas, etc.);

(m) they may provide for the use of employment contracts as an alternative to scholarships for doctoral candidates, if

this is allowed under national law;

(n) without prejudice to the language of instruction, they shall provide for the use of at least two European languages
spoken in the Member States where the higher education institutions involved in the Erasmus Mundus doctoral
programme are situated and, as appropriate, offer preparatory language training and assistance for students, in
particular by means of courses organised by the institutions in question.

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3. Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes shall be selected for a five-year period, subject to an annual renewal procedure
based on progress reporting. That period may include a year of preparatory activities before the recruitment of
doctoral candidates.

C. SCHOLARSHIPS

1. The Community may provide full-study scholarships to third-country and European masters students and doctoral
candidates as well as short-term scholarships for third-country and European academics.
In order to make the
programme more attractive for third-country nationals, the amount of the full-study scholarships shall be higher
for third-country masters students and doctoral candidates (Category A scholarships) than for European masters
students and doctoral candidates (Category B scholarships).

(a) The Community may provide full-study Category A scholarships to third-country masters students and doctoral
candidates who have been admitted, through a competitive process, to Erasmus Mundus masters programmes and
Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes. Those scholarships are for study at the European higher education
institutions involved in an Erasmus Mundus masters programme or an Erasmus Mundus doctoral programme.
Category A scholarships shall not be awarded to third-country students who have carried out their main activities
(studies, employment, etc.) for more than 12 months in total over the last five years in a European country.

(b) The Community may provide full-study Category B scholarships to European masters students and doctoral
candidates who have been admitted, through a competitive process, to Erasmus Mundus masters and doctoral
programmes. Those scholarships are for study at the higher education institutions involved in an Erasmus Mundus
masters or doctoral programme. Category B scholarships shall be awarded only to students from third countries
who cannot apply for Category A scholarships.

(c) The Community may provide short-term scholarships to third-country academics visiting the Erasmus Mundus
masters programmes, with a view to carrying out teaching and research assignments and scholarly work in the
European higher education institutions participating in Erasmus Mundus masters programmes.

(d) The Community may provide short-term scholarships to European academics visiting third-country higher
education institutions involved in Erasmus Mundus masters programmes, with a view to carrying out teaching
and research assignments and scholarly work in the third-country higher education institutions participating in
Erasmus Mundus masters programmes.

(e) The Community shall ensure that the higher education institutions apply transparent criteria for the award of
inter alia, respect for the principles of equal opportunities and non-

scholarships, which take into account,
discrimination.

2. Scholarships shall be open to European and third-country masters students and doctoral candidates as well as

academics as defined in Article 2.

3. Students who have been awarded scholarships shall be given sufficient advance notification of their initial study

destination as soon as the award decision has been taken.

4. Persons having received a scholarship for Erasmus Mundus masters programmes are also eligible to receive a

scholarship for Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes.

5. The Commission shall take steps to ensure that no person receives financial support for the same purpose under more
than one Community programme. In particular, persons having received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship are not
eligible to receive an Erasmus grant for the same Erasmus Mundus masters programme or doctoral programme under
the Lifelong Learning Programme. Similarly, persons benefiting from a grant under the ‘People Specific Programme’
(Marie Curie Actions) of the 7th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration
activities (1) are not eligible to receive an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the same period of study or research.

(1) OJ L 54, 22.2.2007, p. 91.

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ACTION 2: ERASMUS MUNDUS PARTNERSHIPS

1. The Community shall select partnerships of high academic quality which, for the purposes of the programme, shall be
called ‘Erasmus Mundus partnerships’. They pursue and are in line with the aims and specific objectives of Article 3 in
so far as these are in conformity with the legal basis from which the funding is derived.

2. For the purposes of the programme, and in conformity with the legal basis from which the funding is derived,

Erasmus Mundus partnerships shall:

(a)

involve a minimum of five higher education institutions from a minimum of three different European countries
and a number of higher education institutions in specific third countries not participating in the Lifelong Learning
Programme to be defined in the annual calls for proposals;

(b) implement a partnership as a basis for transfer of know-how;

(c) organise exchanges of students, selected on the basis of academic excellence at all levels of higher education (from
students in first cycle to post-doctoral researchers), academics and higher education staff for mobility periods of
variable length, including the possibility of placement periods;

(d) have built-in mechanisms for the mutual recognition of periods of study and research undertaken in partner
institutions based on, or compatible with, the European credit transfer and accumulation system as well as on
compatible systems in third countries;

(e) use mobility instruments developed under the Erasmus programme, such as the recognition of previous study

periods, the learning agreement and the transcript of records;

(f) establish transparent conditions for the award of mobility grants, which pay due regard, inter alia, to gender and
equity issues and linguistic abilities, and which facilitate access in accordance with the principles of equal
opportunities and non-discrimination;

(g) agree to respect the rules applicable to the selection procedure for beneficiaries of grants (students, academics and

higher education staff);

(h) put in place appropriate arrangements to facilitate access for and hosting of European and third-country students,

academics and higher education staff (information facilities, accommodation, assistance with visas, etc.);

(i) without prejudice to the language of instruction, provide for the use of the languages spoken in the countries
where the higher education institutions involved in the Erasmus Mundus partnerships are situated and, as appro­
priate, for preparatory language training and assistance for beneficiaries of scholarships, in particular by means of
courses organised by the institutions in question;

(j)

implement further partnership activities, such as double degrees, joint curriculum development, transfer of best
practices, etc.;

(k)

in the case of measures funded under Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 or the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement,
encourage third-country nationals to return to their countries of origin on the expiry of their periods of study or
research to allow them to contribute to the economic development and welfare of those countries.

3. The Commission, after consultation with the competent authorities in the third countries concerned via its delegations,
shall define national and regional priorities according to the needs of the specific third country/ies concerned by the
partnerships.

4. Erasmus Mundus partnerships shall be selected for a three-year period, subject to an annual renewal procedure based

on progress reporting.

5. Scholarships shall be open to European and third-country students and academics as defined in Article 2.

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6.

In assigning the scholarships under Action 2, the Commission shall support socio-economic disadvantaged groups and
populations in vulnerable situations, without compromising the transparency conditions set out in point 2(f).

7. The Commission shall take steps to ensure that no person receives financial support for the same purpose under more
than one Community programme. In particular, persons having received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship are not
eligible to receive an Erasmus grant for the same mobility period under the Lifelong Learning Programme. Similarly,
persons benefiting from a grant under the above mentioned ‘People Specific Programme’ are not eligible to receive an
Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the same period of study or research.

8. The partnerships selected under the Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window (former name of Action 2) shall
continue within the framework of that action until the end of the period for which they have been selected, subject to
a lightweight annual renewal procedure based on progress reporting.

ACTION 3: PROMOTION OF EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION

1. Through Action 3, the Community may support activities aimed at enhancing the attractiveness, profile and visibility
of, and accessibility to, European higher education. Activities shall contribute to the objectives of the programme and
relate to the international dimension of all aspects of higher education, such as promotion, accessibility, quality
assurance, credit recognition, recognition of European qualifications abroad and mutual recognition of qualifications
with third countries, curriculum development, mobility, quality of services, etc. Activities may include the promotion
of the programme and its outputs.

2. Eligible institutions may include, in accordance with Article 5(f), public or private bodies, active in the field of higher
education. Activities shall be conducted within projects involving organisations from a minimum of three different
European countries and may involve organisations from third countries.

3. Activities may take various forms (conferences, seminars, workshops, studies, analyses, pilot projects, prizes, inter­
national networks, production of material for publication, development of information, communication and tech­
nology tools, etc.) and may take place anywhere in the world. The Commission shall ensure the widest possible
dissemination of information relating to activities and developments in the programme, in particular through the
Erasmus Mundus multilingual website, which should be made more visible and more accessible.

4. Activities shall seek to establish links between higher education and research and higher education and the private

sector in European and third countries, and exploit potential synergies whenever possible.

5. The competent national authorities shall implement an integrated public information policy in cooperation with the
higher education institutions participating in the programme. That policy shall be aimed at providing timely and
complete information and explaining the required procedures, while the main priority should be given to the under-
represented regions.

6. The Community may support, as appropriate, the structures designated in accordance with Article 6(2)(b) in their

efforts to promote the programme and disseminate its results nationally and worldwide.

7. The Community shall support an alumni association of all students (European or third-country nationals) graduating

from Erasmus Mundus masters programmes and Erasmus Mundus doctoral programmes.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT MEASURES

The overall financial envelope of the programme may also cover expenditure related to experts, an executive agency,
existing competent bodies in Member States and, if necessary, to other forms of technical and administrative assistance to
which the Commission may need to have recourse for the implementation of the programme. Such other technical and
administrative assistance may,
information activities, publications, monitoring
activities, control and audit activities, evaluation activities, expenditure on informatics networks for the exchange of
information and any other expenditure directly necessary for the implementation of the programme and for the
achievement of its objectives.

include studies, meetings,

in particular,

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The selection procedures shall respect the following provisions:

SELECTION PROCEDURES

(a) proposals under Action 1 shall be selected by the Commission assisted by a selection board presided over by a person
whom it elects, composed of personalities of high standing from the academic world who are representative of the
diversity of higher education in the European Union. The selection board shall ensure that Erasmus Mundus masters
programmes and doctoral programmes correspond to the highest academic quality, while taking into account the
need for a geographical representation that is as balanced as possible. Balanced representation of different fields of
study shall be sought over the duration of the programme. The Commission shall organise a European-level
assessment of all eligible proposals by independent academic experts prior to submitting the proposals to the
selection board. Each Erasmus Mundus masters and doctoral programme shall be allocated a specific number of
scholarships which shall be paid to the selected individuals by the body (or bodies) managing the masters and
doctoral programmes. The selection of masters students, doctoral candidates and academics shall be carried out by
the institutions participating in the Erasmus Mundus masters and doctoral programmes on the basis of academic
excellence following consultation with the Commission. Although Action 1 is intended mainly for third-country
students,
it is also open to European students. Selection procedures for Erasmus Mundus masters and doctoral
programmes shall involve consultation with the structures designated in accordance with Article 6(2)(b);

(b) proposals under Action 2 shall be selected by the Commission according to the rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No
1085/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006, Regulation (EC) No 1934/2006, the
ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the Internal ACP-EC Agreement;

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Regulations and Agreements referred to in the first paragraph, the
Commission shall also ensure that Erasmus Mundus partnership proposals meet
the highest academic quality
standards, while taking into account the need for a geographical representation that is as balanced as possible.
Students and academics shall be selected by establishments taking part
in the partnership on the basis of
following consultation with the Commission. Action 2 is intended mainly for
academic excellence criteria,
students from third countries. Nevertheless, in the interests of mutual enrichment, mobility should also extend to
European nationals;

(c) proposals under Action 3 shall be selected by the Commission;

(d) the Commission shall

inform the Committee referred to in Article 8(1) of all selection decisions without delay.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

1. Flat-rate financing, scales of unit costs and prizes

Flat-rate financing and/or scales of unit costs, as provided for in Article 181(1) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
2342/2002 may be used in the case of all actions referred to in Article 4.

Flat-rate financing may be used up to a maximum of EUR 25 000 per partner within a grant agreement. They may be
combined up to a maximum of EUR 100 000 and/or used in conjunction with scales of unit costs.

The Commission may provide for the award of prizes in relation to activities undertaken in the framework of the
programme.

2. Partnership agreements

Where actions under the programme are supported by means of a framework partnership grant, pursuant to
Article 163 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, such partnerships may be selected and funded for a five-
year period, subject to a lightweight renewal procedure.

3. Public higher education institutions or organisations

Every higher education institution or organisation specified by Member States which has received over 50 % of its
annual revenues from public sources over the preceding two years, or which is controlled by public bodies or their
representatives, shall be treated by the Commission as having the necessary financial, professional and administrative
capacity, together with the necessary financial stability to carry out projects under the programme. It shall not be
required to present further documentation to demonstrate such capacity or stability. Such institutions or organisations
may be exempted from auditing requirements pursuant to the fifth subparagraph of Article 173(4) of Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002.

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4. Applicants' professional competencies and qualifications

The Commission may decide, in accordance with Article 176(2) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, that
specified categories of beneficiaries have the professional competencies and qualifications required to complete the
proposed action or work programme.

5. Anti-fraud provisions

Commission decisions taken under Article 7, the contracts and agreements resulting from them, as well as agreements
with participating third countries, shall provide in particular for supervision and financial control by the Commission
(or any representative authorised by it), including by the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF), and for audits – if
necessary on-the-spot — by the Court of Auditors.

The beneficiary of a grant shall ensure that, where applicable, supporting documents in the possession of partners or
members are made available to the Commission.

The Commission may have an audit of the use made of the grant carried out either directly by its own staff or by any
other qualified outside body of its choice. Such audits may be carried out throughout the lifetime of the agreement
and for a period of five years from the date of closure of the project. Where appropriate, the audit findings may lead
to recovery decisions by the Commission.

Commission staff and outside personnel authorised by the Commission shall have an appropriate right of access, in
particular to the beneficiary's offices and to all the information, including information in electronic format, needed in
order to conduct such audits.

The Court of Auditors and OLAF shall enjoy the same rights, in particular as regards access, as the Commission.

In addition, the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections under the programme in accordance
with Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and
inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect
interest
against fraud and other irregularities (1).

the European Communities'

financial

For the Community actions financed under this Decision, the notion of irregularity referred to in Article 1(2) of
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Commu­
interests (2) shall mean any infringement of a provision of Community law or any breach of a
nities' financial
contractual obligation resulting from an act or omission by an economic operator, which has, or would have, the
effect of prejudicing the general budget of the European Union or allocations managed by it, by an unjustified item of
expenditure.

(1) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.