The Erasmus Mundus DENSYS Scholarship 2026 (DENSYS 2.0) is a fully funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme in Decentralised Smart Energy Systems that lets you study across multiple top European universities, with applications open from 6 Oct 2025 to 26 Jan 2026 (Paris time).
Basic scholarship information
- Scholarship name: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJM) DENSYS 2.0 (Decentralised Smart ENergy SYStems).
- Degree level: Joint Master’s (2 years / 120 ECTS).
- Coordinating institution: Université de Lorraine (France) manages document checks and coordination in selection steps.
- Application window (2026–2028 intake): 6 Oct 2025 (8:00) to 26 Jan 2026 (18:00), Paris time.
- Selection timeline (as published by the programme):
- 27 Jan to 6 Mar 2026: Evaluation period.
- 9–11 Mar 2026: Applicants informed about admission and potential funding (main/reserve lists).
Program Objectives (What You Will Learn)
- Distributed renewable energy generation
- Smart grids and digital energy management
- Energy storage and sector coupling
- Energy-to-X technologies
- Integration of thermal and electrical systems
Career Outcomes:
- Research
- Energy engineering
- Smart infrastructure and grid innovation
- Sustainability and energy consultancy
University/institution details (consortium)
DENSYS is delivered by four core partner universities (the EMJM consortium).
- Core partner universities and locations:
- Université de Lorraine (France): Core training in decentralized & smart energy systems
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden): Smart grids, digital energy & sustainability
- Politecnico di Torino (Italy): Energy engineering, storage & Energy-to-X
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain): Industrial research, optimization & thermal energy
Mobility Structure
- Year 1: Core studies in France
- Semester 3: Specialization in Spain / Italy / Sweden
- Semester 4: Internship or Master’s thesis (often industry-based)
Study areas (available program names)
- Main programme name:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree: Decentralised Smart ENergy SYStems (DENSYS / DENSYS 2.0).
- Specialisation tracks (3rd semester options):
- Track 1: “Decentralized energy systems in a global energy system” (KTH, Sweden).
- Track 2: “Energy-to-X: innovative pathways for energy storage” (PoliTo, Italy).
- Track 3: “Thermal Energy Engineering” (UPC, Spain).
Erasmus Mundus DENSYS Scholarship benefits (what you get)
- 100% tuition fee waiver
- Monthly living allowance: Monthly stipend of about €1,400 (up to 24 months)
- Participation costs covered:
- Travel cost reimbursement (based on distance from Europe)
- Installation allowance at the start of the program
- Full health and accident insurance
- Coverage of study-related costs (labs, summer courses, transport)
- Access to programme activities: Participation costs include programme teaching activities and events such as summer schools and the immersive week.
Benefits not included
- If applying without an EMJM scholarship (self-funded or only fee reduction), the student must cover participation costs and other expenses like travel, housing, and living costs.
Eligibility criteria for Erasmus Mundus DENSYS Scholarship
- Global eligibility: The programme is open to applicants worldwide, but admission is competitive.
- Degree requirement: A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, typically 180 credits) from an internationally recognized university is required.
- Eligible backgrounds: Bachelor’s in science/engineering and multiple technical fields (including mechanical/aeronautical, chemical, electrical, and energy engineering), plus other technical/natural science degrees if specific courses are included.
- Interest in energy systems, sustainability, or smart technology
- English requirement: Applicants must submit an accepted English test (e.g., TOEFL iBT 92/120 with writing min. 22; IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with writing min. 5.5; CAE/CPE grade C).
- No age or nationality restrictions
- Important EMJM rule: An Erasmus Mundus (EMJM) scholarship cannot be awarded to a candidate who already received an EMJM scholarship previously (though they may still apply as self-funded or with fee reduction).
Required documents (DENSYS checklist)
- CV in PDF created with Europass.
- Motivation letter (max 1 page, font 11pt).
- Self-introduction video (3–5 minutes) submitted as a shareable link (with access rights set so reviewers can watch it).
- Notarised copy of Bachelor’s degree and transcripts (or proof of registration + available transcripts if not yet graduated).
- Proof of employment (if relevant).
- Two reference letters uploaded by referees directly through the platform link (letters must be submitted before you can apply).
- Copy of ID card or passport.
- Copy of English test certificate (if not waived).
- Passport/ID style photo (simple photo suitable for CV use).
- Translation rule: Documents must be submitted in English, and non-English degrees/transcripts must be translated and certified by a notary public (or equivalent).
Erasmus Mundus DENSYS Scholarship Application process (step-by-step)
- Step 1: Confirm the official application window and plan backwards from the 26 Jan 2026 deadline (Paris time).
- Step 2: Prepare mandatory files early (Europass CV, 1-page motivation letter, and a working link for your 3–5 minute video).
- Step 3: Collect academic documents (degree/transcripts) and ensure translations + notarisation if required.
- Step 4: Choose two referees who know you well (academic or work managers) and brief them that they must upload letters themselves via the platform email link.
- Step 5: Complete the online application progressively (DENSYS notes you can edit fields and documents even after submission, except referee contact details).
- Step 6: Track referee submissions carefully (DENSYS highlights reference letters are the main last-minute problem and without them you cannot submit).
- Step 7: Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid technical issues and missing referee uploads.
- Step 8: Wait for evaluation and results according to the published calendar (evaluation late Jan–early Mar; notifications 9–11 Mar 2026).
Tips for a successful DENSYS application
- Write a motivation letter that clearly answers: “Why DENSYS, why now, and why you,” keeping it within the 1-page rule.
- Make the video clear and accessible (good audio, correct sharing permissions, and available without login requests until at least end of March).
- Treat recommendation letters as a project task: pick referees early, explain the programme, and confirm they saw the upload email (spam folder checks are explicitly advised).
- Select the 3rd-semester track based on fit, not popularity, because DENSYS notes competition is particularly high for KTH.
- Keep every document in English and notarise/translate degrees and transcripts if needed, because non-compliance can make the application incomplete.
Monthly living expenses in Europe (USD)
- Typical monthly living costs vary a lot by city, but DENSYS mobility implies you should plan for different price levels across France (Nancy), Sweden (Stockholm), Italy (Turin), and Spain (Barcelona).
- Practical budgeting ranges (estimate, USD/month):
- Housing (shared): 350–900 USD (higher end more likely in Stockholm/Barcelona).
- Food: 200–350 USD.
- Transport: 30–90 USD.
- Utilities + mobile: 60–140 USD.
- Study/personal/misc.: 80–200 USD.
- Total planning range: ~720–1,680 USD/month, depending on city and lifestyle.
Why choose this scholarship? (at least 5 reasons)
- Strong multi-country mobility and brand value because DENSYS is delivered by four established European technical universities (UL, KTH, PoliTo, UPC).
- Clear specialisation choices in the 3rd semester (global energy systems, Energy-to-X storage pathways, and thermal energy engineering).
- Financial support structure: EMJM scholarships include a 1,400 EUR/month allowance and cover participation costs (including insurance and programme activities).
- Hands-on learning components are built into participation costs (labs, excursions, summer schools, and an immersive week in Liège).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What is the DENSYS 2026 application deadline?
The online application period for 2026–2028 is published as ending 26 Jan 2026 at 6 pm (Paris time). - Can someone apply without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship?
Yes, DENSYS lists outcomes including conditional EMJM scholarship, conditional fee reduction, or self-funded admission. - Is an English Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter accepted instead of IELTS/TOEFL?
No, DENSYS explicitly says MOI certificates are not accepted. - How many reference letters are needed, and who uploads them?
Two letters are required and must be uploaded by the referees themselves via a platform link, and the application can’t be submitted without them. - Can last-year Bachelor students apply?
Yes, DENSYS states applicants are eligible as long as they will have a Bachelor’s degree before enrolment (early September at Université de Lorraine).
Application Deadline
- 26 January 2026
