Presentation by Martin Schifferings from Erasmus Mundus National Structure Germany. Presentation was held at the EMAP training seminar in Ljubljana for future Erasmus Mundus Master Courses consortia (1-4 February 2012). For video see http://vimeo.com/37367160.

1. FROM IDEA TO PROJECT
Martin Schifferings, NS Germany
ERASMUS MUNDUS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION Vol.2
Training seminar / 1-4 February 2012 / Ljubljana

2. KEY ELEMENTS
• Motivation
• Reliable partnership
• Programme characteristics
• Best practice
• Financial Management
• Think ahead
• Tips and advice

3. MOTIVATION 1
• Make sure your goals match the goals of the
programme  READ, READ, READ – ASK, ASK, ASK
• Make sure to meet the criteria of the programme
• Make sure to have the capacity to run the project
– Legal
– Administrative
– Financial

4. MOTIVATION 2
• Erasmus Mundus IS the • Erasmus Mundus IS NOT
right programme, if you the right programme, if
want to: you want to:
– enhance internationalization of – create mobility possibilities for
your established programmes your students
– raise the profile of your university – raise additional funds for national
– extend european partnerships programmes
with partners from all over the – develop an international study
world programme
– already have a well established
international programme and
want to underline its excellency

5. RELIABLE PARTNERSHIP
• Ensure support  start at your own university
• Elibibility of partners
– Recognition of institution
– Recognition of degree
• Number of partners
– The more the better?
• Complementarity of partners
– Academic rationale!

6. PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
• Discipline: nearly no restrictions  CREATIVITY
• Legislation: rules and regulations in your countries
 FLEXIBILITY
• Organization: balance of responsibilities and tasks
among partners  ACADEMIC / ADMINISTRATIVE
• Needs analysis: knowledge on existing programmes /
strong links to the labor market/the society 
EMPLOYABILITY / INNOVATION

7. BEST PRACTICE
• Remember: One course  one price  one product
• Have your project clearly in mind (and on paper)
before completing the application form
• Give each partner a active and concrete role in the
preparation phase  ACTIVITY PLAN / MILESTONES
• Schedule physical meetings during preparation phase
• Best practice: start 8-10 months before the deadline
• Plan at least 3-4 months for the writing

8. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Calculate costs and create a solid budget beforehand
• Ensure (long term) institutional commitment
• Distribution of funds according to partners needs
and financial regulations (e.g. fees)
• Income: lump sum and scholarships
– Funding starts when course starts  internal funds needed
for preparation!
– National funding opportunities?  contact your NS!

9. THINK AHEAD
• What can make your project sustainable?
• How can you best attract students?
– BE INNOVATIVE!!
• Prepare for the students
– Online application
– Infrastructure, documents, deadlines, etc.
– Students services and facilities (accomodation, visa, etc.)
– Insurance

10. TIPS AND ADVICE
• www.joiman.eu
– guidelines and good practice examples on the management of Joint Degree
Programmes
• www.emqa.eu
– Handbook of excellent higher education practice / interactive assessment tool
• www.ecaconsortium.net
– European Consortium for Accreditation in higher Education (ECA)
– Multilateral Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Accreditation Results
regarding Joint Programmes (MULTRA)
• www.qrossroads.eu/home
– Qrossroads presents information regarding quality assured and accredited
higher education in Europe
• eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/clusters/index_en.php
– Cluster project results

11. !!NEVER GIVE UP!!
&
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
www.emap-project.webnode.cz
ERASMUS MUNDUS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION Vol.2
Training seminar / 1-4 February 2012 / Ljubljana