The Erasmus Mundus GOALS Scholarship 2026-28 offers a fully funded opportunity for a Joint Master’s in Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sports across top European universities. Applications close on February 22, 2026, targeting global students passionate about sports management.
Basic Information about the Scholarships
- Program Name and Duration: Governance and Administration of Leisure and Sports (GOALS), a 2-year (24-month) joint Master’s degree funded by the European Union under Erasmus Mundus.
- Host Countries: Study mobility in France (1st semester), Lithuania or Poland (2nd), specialization options in Portugal, Luxembourg, or France (3rd), and internship/thesis (4th).
- Funding Source: European Commission via Erasmus+; open to all nationalities with full scholarships for top applicants, no separate fee, self-funded options available.
- Application Deadline: February 22, 2026, for 2026-28 intake; early submission recommended due to competition.
- Start Date: September 2026, with program spanning until 2028 including internship.
University/Institution Details
GOALS partners with five elite institutions specializing in sports management. Students begin at University of Lille (France) for foundational training, then choose tracks involving Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), Nicolaus Copernicus University (Poland), University of Lisbon (Portugal), or LUNEX University (Luxembourg).
- University of Lille (France): Focuses on governance, management, and event production.
- Mykolas Romeris University (Vilnius, Lithuania): Emphasizes sports marketing and legal relations.
- Nicolaus Copernicus University (Toruń, Poland): Covers event finance and tourism psychology.
- University of Lisbon (Portugal): Specializes in leadership, sustainability, and digital sports.
- International University of Health, Exercise & Sports – LUNEX (Luxembourg)
Programme Structure
- Semester 1 (France, Lille): Common courses (30 ECTS)
- Semester 2 (Lithuania or Poland): Pre-orientation – choose career direction (30 ECTS)
- Semester 3: Specialisation (30 ECTS)
- ULISBOA
- LUNEX
- ULILLE
- Semester 4: Internship or research + thesis (30 ECTS)
- Total: 120 ECTS
Special Activities
- Integration week in Lille
- Joint events, guest lectures, networking
- Summer school between Year 1 & Year 2
Study Areas (Available Program Names)
- Core Focus: Sports management, leisure administration, governance; blends sport sociology, marketing, communication, finances, economics, event management.
- Semester 1 (Lille): Strategic sports planning, budgeting, marketing, sponsorship, operations & production.
- Semester 2 (Vilnius/Toruń): Sports policy, leisure management, event organization.
- Semester 3 Specializations: ULisboa (Portugal) track: Advanced governance; LUNEX (Luxembourg): Health/exercise focus; ULille (France): Business integration.
- Semester 4: Master’s thesis with internship at sports organizations worldwide (e.g., FIFA, IOC affiliates, federations).
- Career-Oriented Modules: Prepares for consulting, expert roles in sports industry via practical projects.
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Best Of Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2026 in Europe
Erasmus Mundus GOALS Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly Stipend: €1,400 (approx. $1,540 USD) for up to 24 months, totaling €33,600 ($36,960 USD), covering living costs.
- Participation fee waived
- Tuition Waiver: Full coverage of participation/tuition fees (€9,000-€18,000 value depending on status).
- Travel Allowance: Covers flights between host countries and home, plus installation costs (up to €3,000/year).
- Visa and Insurance: Support for visa fees, health insurance throughout 24 months.
- Accommodation Aid: Contributes to housing via stipend; internship placements included.
- Conditions:
- Never received an EMJM scholarship before
- Only 3 students per nationality can receive it
- Fraud = repayment
Benefits Not Included
- Personal Leisure Expenses: Entertainment, shopping, non-essential travel beyond program mobility.
- Pre-Arrival Costs: Initial travel to first host (France) partially covered, but personal setup expenses extra.
- Family Support: No allowances for spouses/dependents; single student focus.
- Extended Stays: Costs beyond 24 months or non-program internships self-funded.
- Language Courses: Optional extras if needed beyond B2 English.
Eligibility Criteria for the Erasmus Mundus GOALS Scholarship
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in:
- Sport management
- Business/management
- Sport studies (PE, coaching, fitness, wellness)
- Final-year students can apply with proof of enrollment.
- Must submit final degree by 30 August.
- Open to All: Any nationality; no age/work experience minimum, but relevant background prioritized.
- No Dual Awards: Cannot hold another EU-funded grant simultaneously.
English Requirement
- Minimum B2 level (non-native speakers)
- IELTS 6.0–6.5
- TOEFL iBT 88
- Cambridge First/Advanced
- OR 2 years full-time study in English
Required Documents for the Application
- Bachelor degree certificate + English translation
- Academic transcript + English translation
- CV (preferably Europass, max 3 pages)
- English language certificate
- Passport/ID
- Two recommendation letters (academic + professional; sent directly by referees)
- No motivation letter needed – motivation is written in the online form
Erasmus Mundus GOALS Scholarship Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Online Application
- Submit form in English + all documents before deadline.
- Interview (shortlisted candidates)
- 20-minute online interview
- Motivation, critical thinking, understanding of sport issues
- Final Selection
- Evaluation:
- 50% documents
- 50% interview
- Main list: eligible for scholarship or self-funded
- Reserve list: considered if seats become available
- Evaluation:
- Student Agreement
Tips for a Successful Application
- Tailor Motivation: Link background to GOALS focus (e.g., sports events in Bangladesh) on form.
- Strong Refs Early: Choose referees familiar with your work; notify them 2 weeks prior.
- Highlight Experience: Include volunteer sports roles, internships in CV for edge.
- Practice Interview: Prepare for sports governance questions; test video setup.
- Apply Early: Beat rush; proofread for errors; use Europass CV.
- Backup Proofs: English medium certificate if no IELTS; translate docs officially.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (USD)
| Country | Accommodation (USD) | Food (USD) | Transport (USD) | Misc (USD) | Total Est. (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France (Lille/Paris) | 440-880 | 330-550 | 55-110 | 220-330 | 1,050-1,870 |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | 330-660 | 275-440 | 44-88 | 165-275 | 814-1,463 |
| Lithuania (Vilnius) | 330-550 | 220-385 | 33-66 | 110-220 | 693-1,221 |
| Poland (Toruń) | 275-495 | 220-330 | 33-55 | 110-165 | 638-1,045 |
| Luxembourg | 550-880 | 330-495 | 55-110 | 165-275 | 1,100-1,760 |
- Notes: €1 ≈ $1.10 USD; stipend covers averages; budget via student halls/shared flats.
- Total Program Avg.: $900-1,400/month feasible with scholarship.
Why Choose This Scholarship? (Minimum 5 Reasons)
- Multi-Country Exposure: Study in 3-4 nations, building global networks and cultural adaptability.
- Fully Funded Excellence: €1,400/month stipend + waivers eliminate financial barriers.
- Career Launchpad: Internships with FIFA/IOC affiliates lead to sports industry jobs/consulting.
- Prestigious Joint Degree: Five-university certification boosts EU job/visa prospects.
- No IELTS Flexibility: English-medium proof suffices, accessible for South Asian applicants.
- Practical Sports Focus: Hands-on governance training for event management, policy roles.
- Diverse Cohort: Worldwide students foster lifelong professional ties.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Scholarship
- Q: Is IELTS mandatory? A: No, B2 proof via prior studies accepted.
- Q: Can final-year students apply? A: Yes, degree by August 30 post-selection.
- Q: Application fee? A: None; fully online.
- Q: Scholarship for all nationalities? A: Yes, competitive for non-EU.
- Q: Post-study work? A: EU job visa potential via networks.
- Q: Self-funded option? A: Yes, same process post-main list.
- Q: Interview details? A: Video, 20 mins, motivation-focused.
Key Dates (Self-Funded Applicants Only)
- Application opens: 17 Oct 2025
- Deadline: 22 Feb 2026
- Interviews: March–April 2026
- Final selection: April 2026
