Erasmus Mundus — TROPIMUNDO Master Scholarship 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 10
- 6 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
If you are a graduate with a BSc in Biology, Environmental or Natural Sciences (or a closely related discipline) and you want to study tropical biodiversity and ecosystems at an international, research-intensive master level — good news: applications for the TROPIMUNDO (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Tropical Biodiversity & Ecosystems) cycle starting academic year 2026–2027 are open. TROPIMUNDO combines classroom teaching, intensive fieldwork in tropical regions, and a full-semester thesis research with a consortium of European and tropical partner universities — designed for students who want hands-on training in conservation, restoration ecology, biodiversity data, and tropical ecosystem management. Here's a full guide to help you prepare a strong application.
🎓TROPIMUNDO Scholarship summary
Location: Consortium universities across Europe + one full semester in a tropical partner university (Caribbean, Amazon, Africa, Asia or Oceania).
Coordinating university: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) coordinates the consortium; degree awarded jointly by European partners visited during the programme.
Study level: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (MSc) — 2 academic years / 120 ECTS.
Target group: Bachelor’s graduates (≥180 ECTS) in Biology, Natural Sciences, Environmental Sciences or equivalent; applicants worldwide.
Fields of Focus: Tropical biodiversity, conservation & restoration ecology, botany, zoology, ecosystem dynamics (rainforests, woodlands, mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs), biodiversity informatics, ethnobotany, governance and sustainable use of natural resources.
Coverage:
Erasmus Mundus scholarships (if awarded/approved) typically cover participation costs (tuition) and contribute to travel, visa, installation and a monthly living allowance for the full programme (common EMJM practice: ~€1,400/month for up to 24 months)
Award duration: 24 months (two academic years; four semesters).
Application deadline (scholarship applicants / first call): annual scholarship call normally runs 1 Sept – 30 Nov; for the 2026–2027 intake the first call is evaluated after November 2025 (deadline commonly listed as 30 November 2025 for scholarship seekers). A second call for self-funded applicants may remain open into 2026
Program start date: Start of academic year (typically September 2026 for the 2026–2027 intake).
🌎 Programme overview
What TROPIMUNDO is: an EU-funded, excellence-labelled Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Tropical Biodiversity & Ecosystems — a two-year programme combining theory, practical fieldwork and an independent MSc thesis. The consortium includes European HEIs and tropical partner universities so you gain both European expertise and an entire semester in situ in tropical ecosystems.
Learning aims: understand spatial/temporal patterns of tropical biodiversity, species–environment interactions, responses to disturbance and climate change; acquire tools in biodiversity data management (GIS, genetics, biogeography), conservation/restoration practice, and socio-ecological governance.
Structure & curriculum (4 semesters / typical trajectory):
Semester 1 (S1): Start at a European partner (often Brussels) — foundational and specialised courses (basic and specialised modules to reach equivalent competences across cohorts).
Semester 2 (S2): Full semester in a tropical partner — classroom + intensive field courses in locations such as Colombia, Cameroon, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, French Guiana, Reunion, Senegal, Sri Lanka, New Caledonia, etc. Fieldwork, hands-on sampling and local ecological experiments are central.
Semester 3 (S3): Specialisation semester back at a different European partner (advanced modules, elective tracks: botany, zoology, biodiversity informatics, restoration ecology, ethnobotany, coastal ecosystems, etc.).
Semester 4 (S4): MSc Thesis research (often a full thesis semester in collaboration with consortium full/associate partners) and final defence — you usually return to your S1 institution for graduation.
Degree & certification: Joint Master degree awarded by the European institutions visited + Europass Certificate — check legal degree-awarding provisions per partner.
📚 Host universities
European partners (degree-awarding / core European consortium):
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) — coordinating institute.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
Sorbonne Université (SU).
Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN).
Università degli Studi di Firenze (UNIFI).
Tropical / Non-European partners (in-situ field & research nodes):
Université de la Guyane (UdG, French Guiana) — Caribbean / Amazon.
Universidad de Antioquia (UDEA, Colombia) — Atlantic East-Pacific ecosystems.
Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD, Senegal) — West-African semi-arid & Sahel ecosystems.
Université de Dschang (UDsch, Cameroon) — African tropical rainforests.
Technical University of Mombasa (TUM, Kenya) — East-African savannas, Great Lakes, coastal ecosystems.
Université de La Réunion (UNIRé) — South West Indian Ocean tropical forests.
University of Ruhuna (RUH, Sri Lanka) — terrestrial forests & aquatic ecosystems.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT, Malaysia) — Asian tropical forests & coasts.
University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD, Philippines) — Western Pacific terrestrial, palustrine & marine ecosystems.
Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (UNC) — South Pacific island ecosystems.
Note: the list above is the official consortium (full partners) — several associate partners collaborate on fieldwork and thesis projects.
🧭 Mobility information (how trajectories & field semesters work)
Trajectories:
Each student ranks 4–10 favourite trajectories (combinations of S1, S2, S3, S4 locations) depending on language and interests. The selection of trajectory determines which tropical site and which European specialisation you will visit.
Semester 2 in the tropics:
A full semester of classroom + field courses in a tropical partner (hands-on sampling, field experiments, local stakeholder engagement, excursions and intensive practical modules). This is the programme’s defining element.
Language requirements and choices:
Many trajectories require CEFR B2 in English; some trajectories additionally require French or Spanish (e.g., UdG, SU, MNHN, UCAD and UDsch trajectories require French; UDEA requires Spanish). Extra-curricular language courses are offered in S1 and S3 to improve skills. Always match trajectory language to your certificate/ability.
Thesis & field research:
The S4 thesis is commonly completed in collaboration with one or more consortium partners (European or associate partners), often located in or near the tropical ecosystems studied during S2.
Administrative & logistical support:
Local Coordinators and International Relations Offices at each European partner support mobility, visas, housing, insurance and integration. The TROPIMUNDO AIM online tool manages applications and mobility planning.
💲 Programme benefits & fees covered
What an Erasmus Mundus scholarship usually covers (programme-level, subject to grant approval):
Participation costs: tuition/consortium fees and mandatory insurance (exoneration from tuition).
Living allowance: EMJM scholarships commonly provide a monthly stipend (many EMJMDs list ~€1,400/month for the 24-month duration — check the specific call for confirmed amounts).
Travel & installation contribution: lump sums to contribute to travel and visa/installation costs (varies by distance / partner rules).
Health insurance & other participation costs: typically covered under the participation costs waiver.
TROPIMUNDO tuition fees (if self-funded):
Third-country (non-Programme) students: ≈ €9,000 per year.
EU / Programme-country students: ≈ €4,500 per year (self-funded students may receive partial restitution where applicable). Tuition is payable to the coordinating institute and covers consortium enrolment fees and insurance; it does not cover visas, accommodation or living costs unless you hold a scholarship.
✅ Eligibility criteria
Academic: Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS or equivalent) in Biology, Natural/Environmental Sciences or closely related field.
Languages: Proficiency in English (minimum CEFR B2 commonly requested); some trajectories require French or Spanish at B2 — check trajectory requirements.
Selection: Competitive, excellence-based selection by a committee of local coordinators; scholarship allocation depends on excellence ranking and available EC / VLIR-UOS funds.
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📝 Application procedure
Where to apply: Apply online via the TROPIMUNDO Application, Information & Management (AIM) tool on the programme website (create an account and follow the AIM application flow).
Typical steps:
Register in AIM → complete online form (personal data, academic history, trajectory choices, language choices) → upload supporting documents → submit before deadline.
Common documents to prepare (PDF uploads usually required):
Bachelor’s degree certificate (or proof you will obtain it before enrollment) and full transcripts.
CV (Europass recommended) and a motivation / cover letter explaining trajectory choice.
Two (or specified number) academic/reference letters.
Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or an official university letter showing prior instruction in the required language); additional French/Spanish certificates if your chosen trajectory requires them.
Copy of passport / ID and a passport-type photo.
Any additional documents requested per trajectory (e.g., field experience proof, portfolio, publications) — consult the AIM tool & FAQ.
Selection timeline: scholarship applications are evaluated as a batch after the first-call deadline (end of November); decisions on Erasmus Mundus scholarships (when awarded) are published according to the programme calendar (note: Erasmus Mundus scholarship award decisions are typically announced later in the selection cycle — check AIM and the programme news for dates).