European Commission (Erasmus Mundus)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Interdisciplinarity in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion (i-MESC)
Edit ScholarshipI-MESC is a government scholarship run by the European Commission for Master's students in four countries. It provides full tuition, ~€1,400/month living allowance plus travel, up to 24 months. Annually, call for September intake; applications typically close in winter.
Overview
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Interdisciplinarity in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion, known as i-MESC, is a two-year master worth 120 ECTS focused on the materials behind clean energy. The programme covers electrochemical energy storage and conversion, which in practice means batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells, and the materials science needed to make them work better.
The curriculum is deliberately interdisciplinary. You work across materials synthesis, characterisation and device manufacturing, and the programme adds modern tools that the field now relies on, including artificial intelligence and digital twins for designing and testing materials. Three semesters are taught coursework worth 30 ECTS each, and the fourth is a research-based master's thesis, also 30 ECTS, so you finish with a substantial piece of independent work.
i-MESC is taught across a network of partner universities, with mobility that can take you through up to four countries in two years. The European partners span Poland, France, Spain and Slovenia, with associated partners further afield. As an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master funded by the European Commission, the programme offers scholarships that cover tuition, pay a monthly allowance and contribute to travel and installation, and some industrial scholarships from associated partners are available too.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | European Commission (Erasmus Mundus) |
| Host Countries | Poland, France, Spain, Slovenia |
| Degree Levels | Master's (120 ECTS, two years) |
| Value | Full tuition plus around €1,400 per month living allowance plus travel and installation costs, for up to 24 months |
| Deadline | Annual call for the following September intake; applications for each two-year class typically close in winter (a recent class closed in early February) |
| Eligible Nationalities | Open to applicants of all nationalities |
| Official Website | i-mesc.eu |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic background
You need a bachelor's or equivalent degree worth at least 180 ECTS in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering or a related field. Students in the final year of a bachelor's can also apply, provided they include a certificate of enrolment from their home university showing they will graduate in time to start the programme.
English language
English proficiency is required because the programme is taught in English. If English is not your native language, you take an accepted test such as TOEFL or IELTS, with the programme setting minimum scores in the region of 87 on the internet-based TOEFL, 237 computer-based or 580 paper-based, or an IELTS score judged equivalent. Native English speakers can provide a declaration on honour, and applicants who completed a previous degree taught in English can instead provide a certificate from their university confirming the language of instruction.
Open to all nationalities
i-MESC welcomes applicants from any country. When you apply, you are automatically considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or an industrial scholarship from an associated partner, and these are awarded to the best-ranked applicants.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition and participation costs across the partner universities.
- A monthly living allowance of around €1,400 for accommodation and daily expenses.
- A contribution towards travel costs, which matters given the mobility across several countries.
- An installation contribution to help with the move at the start of the programme.
- Coverage for up to 24 months, matching the 120 ECTS programme length.
- Industrial scholarships funded by associated partners may also be available alongside the Erasmus Mundus ones.
How to Apply
- Read the admission criteria. Start on the i-MESC admission criteria and student application pages to confirm the current class dates, eligible degrees and the exact English thresholds.
- Get certified copies of your records. Your transcripts and diploma must be certified copies bearing your university's stamp, and translated into English by a sworn translator where they are not already in English. This step takes the most time, so begin early.
- Use the imposed recommendation template. i-MESC requires referees to use a fixed template. You cannot write your own letter, so send the template to academics or employers who supervised you, with plenty of notice.
- Complete the online application. Fill in the application through the official student portal and attach every required document. Applying for the programme also enters you for the scholarships.
- Check your file is complete. Any application that is incomplete after the deadline, or that ignores the instructions, is automatically treated as ineligible, so review the checklist carefully.
- Submit before the deadline. Deadlines are set in Paris time and tend to fall in winter, often around midday, so do not leave the upload to the final hours.
Required Documents
- Completed online application form.
- Certified copies of your university transcripts, stamped by the issuing university.
- Certified copy of your bachelor's diploma, or a certificate of enrolment if you are in your final year.
- Sworn English translations of any documents not originally in English.
- Recommendation letters from academics or employers, written on the imposed template.
- Proof of English proficiency (test result, declaration on honour for native speakers, or a medium-of-instruction certificate).
- A CV and motivation material as specified in the application instructions.
Key Dates & Deadlines
i-MESC runs an annual call for the following September intake, and applications for each two-year class typically close in winter. A recent class closed in early February, with the deadline set at midday Paris time. Because each cohort is named as a class (for example, the 2026-2028 class), make sure you are looking at the open call rather than a past one. The exact date moves year to year, so confirm it on the official application pages, and treat the published Paris-time cut-off as firm since late files are rejected.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Start the certified-copy and sworn-translation process weeks ahead, since universities and translators can be slow.
- Send the recommendation template to your referees early and explain the programme so their letters are specific.
- Connect your background in chemistry, physics, materials or engineering to the battery, supercapacitor and fuel-cell focus of the course.
- Double-check the completeness checklist, because incomplete files are dropped without review.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing your own recommendation letter or ignoring the imposed template, which breaks the rules.
- Submitting plain copies of transcripts instead of certified, stamped ones.
- Leaving sworn translations until the last week before the deadline.
- Missing the midday Paris-time cut-off by treating it as end of day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the i-MESC Erasmus Mundus scholarship cover?
The i-MESC scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance of around €1,400, and a contribution towards travel and installation for up to 24 months. Industrial scholarships from associated partners may also be available.
Who is eligible for the i-MESC Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?
You are eligible with a bachelor's or equivalent degree of at least 180 ECTS in chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering or a related field, plus proof of English. Final-year bachelor's students can apply with a certificate of enrolment.
What does i-MESC focus on?
i-MESC focuses on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, meaning batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells, and covers materials synthesis, characterisation, device manufacturing, artificial intelligence and digital twins.
Which countries will I study in during i-MESC?
The European partners are in Poland, France, Spain and Slovenia, and you may study in up to four countries over the two years. Mobility across partner countries is a required part of the programme.
When is the i-MESC application deadline?
i-MESC runs an annual call that closes in winter for the following September intake. A recent class closed in early February at midday Paris time. Confirm the exact date for the open class on the official application pages.
What English level does i-MESC require?
If English is not your native language, you need an accepted test such as TOEFL or IELTS, with minimum scores around 87 internet-based, 237 computer-based or 580 paper-based on TOEFL or an equivalent IELTS score. Native speakers and graduates of English-taught degrees can provide alternative proof.
How do recommendation letters work for i-MESC?
Referees must use the imposed i-MESC template, and you cannot write your own letter. Send the template to academics or employers who supervised you, with enough notice for them to complete it.
Do my transcripts need to be certified for i-MESC?
Yes. Transcripts and diplomas must be certified copies bearing your university's stamp, and they must be translated into English by a sworn translator if they are not already in English.
Is there a separate scholarship application for i-MESC?
No. When you apply to the programme you are automatically considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship or an industrial scholarship from an associated partner.
How long is the i-MESC programme?
i-MESC is a two-year master worth 120 ECTS, with three taught semesters of 30 ECTS each and a final research thesis of 30 ECTS. The scholarship covers up to 24 months.
Can final-year bachelor's students apply to i-MESC?
Yes. You can apply in your final year if you provide a certificate of enrolment from your home university showing you will graduate before the programme begins.
Can applicants from any country apply to i-MESC?
Yes. i-MESC is open to applicants of all nationalities, and scholarships are awarded to the best-ranked candidates regardless of where they come from.