The Mundus MAPP programme brings public-policy study across partner universities, but choosing it involves more than securing funding. Applicants should consider the programme structure, their academic preparation and whether their interests match its policy focus.
For Kenyan applicants interested in government, development, economics, international relations, public administration, NGOs or policy research, Mundus MAPP is a notable Erasmus Mundus options currently open.
Scholarship deadline
The official Mundus MAPP admissions calendar lists 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET as the application deadline for candidates seeking financial aid, including Erasmus Mundus scholarship consideration.
Official admissions calendar: Mundus MAPP Admissions Calendar
Scholarship funding
The programme states that Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients receive a full tuition-fee waiver and a scholarship calculated at €1,400 per month for 24 months, for a maximum programme contribution of €33,600.
The monthly contribution is intended to help with living, visa, travel and installation costs. Applicants should note that the programme identifies certain study-visit and winter-school expenses that are not covered by the scholarship.
Who can apply?
Mundus MAPP accepts applicants from both EU and non-EU countries who meet the programme’s academic requirements. Scholarship awards are made to the highest-ranked eligible applicants.
What the programme is about
Mundus MAPP is designed for students who want to understand how public policy is designed, implemented and evaluated across different political and institutional systems.
It is particularly relevant to applicants from political science, economics, sociology, law, international relations, public administration, development studies and related fields.
How Kenyan applicants can build a stronger application
Do not write about “policy” in the abstract. Choose a concrete challenge you have studied or worked on. Examples could include youth employment, public finance, social protection, climate policy, devolution, digital regulation, healthcare, education or regional integration.
Then explain which policy skills you need to develop and how the programme’s international structure supports that goal.
Academic preparation
Applicants should demonstrate that they can handle graduate-level analytical work. Quantitative methods, research methods, economics, policy analysis or strong social-science training can all strengthen the profile depending on the chosen track.
Professional experience
Work experience is useful when it adds evidence. Applicants from government, NGOs, think tanks, civil society, consulting or research should describe decisions supported, programmes evaluated, stakeholders engaged or policy outputs produced.
Application checklist
- Review the programme tracks carefully.
- Prepare official academic records.
- Tailor your CV to policy-relevant experience.
- Choose strong academic or professional referees as required.
- Write a programme-specific motivation statement.
- Submit before the financial-aid deadline.
Important later deadlines
The programme has later self-funded application deadlines in 2027, but those deadlines are not equivalent to the scholarship deadline. Applicants seeking Erasmus Mundus funding should use the 1 December 2026 deadline.
Common mistakes
- Applying under the later self-funded deadline and expecting scholarship consideration.
- Writing a generic public-service essay.
- Failing to explain why a particular study track fits your goals.
- Listing job duties without showing analytical or policy impact.
- Ignoring costs that fall outside the scholarship package.
Career paths
Graduates can move into government, policy analysis, development agencies, international organisations, NGOs, consulting, research institutes and think tanks.
What applicants should know
Mundus MAPP is a particularly strong fit for Kenyan applicants who already have evidence of engagement with public problems and can explain how advanced policy training will improve their ability to design, analyse or implement solutions.
Scholarship deadline: 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
How to choose the right Mundus MAPP study track
Track choice should reflect your policy interests and academic preparation. Read the curriculum carefully and compare the partner institutions involved. Applicants interested in development policy may choose differently from candidates focused on European governance, political economy or global public policy.
How to structure the motivation letter
A useful structure is to begin with a specific policy challenge, then show what you have already done to understand or address it. Next, explain what analytical skills you still need and identify concrete parts of the MAPP curriculum that fill those gaps. End with a realistic career pathway.
What counts as policy experience?
Policy experience does not have to mean working in a ministry. Research, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, development programming, journalism, civil-society work and consulting can all be relevant if you explain how they exposed you to public decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
Can fresh graduates apply?
Yes, if they meet the academic requirements. Applicants without extensive work experience should rely more heavily on strong academic evidence, research projects, internships and a clearly argued policy interest.
Is the €1,400 monthly contribution separate from tuition?
The programme states that EMJM scholarship recipients receive a full tuition-fee waiver and a monthly contribution calculated at €1,400 for up to 24 months.
Are all study-related costs covered?
No. The official financial-aid page identifies some programme activities, including certain study visits and winter-school costs, that scholarship recipients may still need to pay themselves.
Mundus MAPP application plan for Kenyan students
The programme is particularly relevant to applicants interested in public policy, governance and development. To show genuine academic fit, choose a specific policy issue you have studied or worked on. For example, a Kenyan applicant could discuss county-level public service delivery, education access or financial inclusion, explaining evidence already available and what policy methods they want to learn. The topic is an illustration, not a programme requirement.
Prepare evidence of your experience
Applicants from Kenyan universities should have official transcripts and certificates ready. If you have worked with a county government, NGO, student association, research team or community initiative, document your actual role and results. A focused statement connecting these experiences to the programme’s specific study track is stronger than a generic claim that you want to change the world.
Funding and mobility budget
A scholarship may cover tuition and provide monthly support while leaving some programme activities or upfront expenses to students. Check all participating institutions’ requirements for insurance, visas, travel between study locations, accommodation deposits and residence arrangements. Prepare a KSh budget with current euro exchange rates; distinguish confirmed financial support from projected personal costs.
Before submission
- Check the official track choices and entry criteria.
- Ask referees early for examples of your academic or professional strengths.
- Review the specific motivation prompt and document formats.
- Save a PDF copy or acknowledgement of each application submission.
Use our scholarship motivation letter guide for writing structure, then adapt it to the actual programme instructions.