If you don’t write a good motivation letter, you could miss out on a large scholarship. Erasmus Mundus offers EUR 1,400 per month for up to 2 years. A lot of people miss out due to not having a clear, concise, and specific letter.
The closing dates for Erasmus Mundus programmes are spread throughout the month, with some closing this month. DAAD EPOS has varying closing dates for each course. Hungary and Türkiye have not yet released new dates. Chevening is closed.
These dates were checked in November 2026. Please check the official site for exact dates.
What Does Fully Funded Usually Include?
- Tuition or full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly living expenses (stipend)
- Travel costs (some scholarships)
- Health insurance (some scholarships)
- Accommodation (some scholarships)
Some of these scholarships are not fully funded. For example, Stipendium Hungaricum does not fully fund living costs. Erasmus Mundus only fully funds the top-ranked applicants.
A motivation letter is a short letter explaining why you want to do the programme, why you want the award, and what you will do afterwards. It should not be a copy of your CV. It should not be a life story. Every scholarship below requires a motivation letter; however, there are variations. Make sure to read the guidelines.
Closing Dates
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – Varying dates. Most close between October and January. Rules vary for each programme.
- DAAD EPOS – Varying dates. Each course has its own closing date. The required letter length varies.
- Stipendium Hungaricum – TBC. Last round closed on 15th January 2026.
- Türkiye Burslari – TBC. Last round closed on 20th February 2026.
- Chevening – Closed on 6th October 2026. They require essays.
Open Now/Opening Soon
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
This scholarship is for master’s students. You will be studying at two or more universities across Europe. You will apply directly to each programme.
Closing Date – Varies per programme. Most close between October 2026 and January 2027. One programme closes on 10th January 2027 (Mundus Journalism). Please check the programme page.
Funding – Fully funded, according to guide sites. This is 1,400 Euros per month. The degree lasts between 12 and 24 months. Programmes also fully fund tuition fees and some travel and visa costs. Please check the programme page.
Things to Note – There is no single Erasmus Mundus letter. Some programmes require 500 words (GLODEP), 350 words on 4 points (MESPOM), and 1 page (EMLE). Mundus Journalism does not require a letter; however, short answers are required. One source states that letters are usually in English and up to 5,000 characters. You may get caught out by writing a letter for one programme and then finding that another programme requires a different length. Please check the programme page.
2. DAAD EPOS Scholarships (Germany)
This scholarship is for master’s students and a few PhD programmes. It is for professionals from developing countries. Choose a course from the list and apply.
Closing Date – Varies per course. Some have already closed in October 2026. Please check the course page.
Funding – Fully funded, according to guide sites. Some offer 1,400 Euros per month. Please check the course page.
Things to Note – One university requires an additional 1-page letter. This needs to be signed and dated. It needs to state why you have applied to DAAD and how your goals align with EPOS. Another course page requires a second letter if you are applying to more than one course. Some of the DAAD schemes allow up to 2 pages. One guide states that they require between 1 and 3 pages. Please check the course page.
3. Stipendium Hungaricum
This scholarship covers bachelor’s, master’s, single-cycle master’s, and PhD study in Hungary.
Closing Date – TBC. The 2027/2028 call is not published on a Hungarian Embassy page. The last round opened on 17th November 2025 and closed on 15th January 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central European Time. The likely opening and closing dates are mid-November and mid-January.
Funding – Fully funded, according to guide sites. Covers tuition fees, stipend, and accommodation. One guide mentions that the stipend does not fully cover living costs. Think of it as fully funded tuition and partially funded living costs.
Things to Note – You will need to include a motivation letter. One Hungarian university asks you to explain why you chose your study programme. Different guides mention different lengths. One states 1 page in Times New Roman 12, while another states up to 3 pages, but recommends 1 page. Check the official application guidance. All documents are uploaded onto the portal. One source states that the file limit is 4 MB.
4. Türkiye Burslari
Scholarship provided by the Turkish government. Covers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD study in Turkey.
Closing Date – TBC. On the official site, the 2026 round was between 10th January and 20th February. As of early November 2026, there is no official information about the opening of the 2027 round, according to one guide. Likely to open in mid-November and close in mid-January 2027.
Funding – Fully funded, according to guide sites. Covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, return flights, and 1 year of Turkish classes if required.
Things to Note – The letter of intent is completed within the application portal. One guide states that there is a strict character limit. Different sources mention different lengths. One states 3,000 characters, another states 500–700 words. Another states a minimum of 300 words. Please check the official page. The letter should explain why you chose Turkey, why you chose the programmes, and what you will do after your degree, according to guides.
Closed for 2026 – Plan for Next Year
5. Chevening Scholarships
This scholarship is for master’s students only. It fully funds 1 year of study at a UK university.
Closing Date – Closed on 6th October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The 2026 round opened on 4th August. Likely to open in early August and close in early October next year.
Funding – Tuition fees, return flights, monthly living expenses, and some settling-in costs.
Things to Note – Chevening requires 4 individual essays. Each should be around 500 words. Please check the official page for the questions. You must be a citizen of an eligible country. You must have an unconditional university offer by a certain date. For this round, it was 8th July 2027.
Choosing the Right Scholarship
Tailor Your Letter to Your Profile
Start with why you are applying. Follow this with evidence to prove it. Then explain why you want to do this programme. Why do you want this award? Finally, explain what you will do afterwards.
Use your own evidence. For example: “I worked two years as a lab technician, so I know the field problems this course teaches.”
Don’t mention your CV. Select 2–3 facts and explain them.
Country-Specific Requirements
Read the guidelines for the letter. Length, language, and questions vary.
Include the name of the country and school. For example: “Germany’s course on water management fits my plan to work in a river basin office.”
Check if your country has a partner to send students from. Chevening, DAAD EPOS, and Hungary all have this.
Plan Ahead
Start writing your draft 3–4 weeks before the closing date.
Write a unique letter for each programme. Don’t use the same letter.
Get one person to read through it. Ask them what they remembered.
Common Errors
Starting with a Life Story
Weak: “Since childhood I have loved science and wanted to help the world.”
Better: “My thesis on river flood data showed me what I can’t solve without this training.”
Flattering the School
Weak: “Your university is world famous and has a great reputation.”
Better: “Your course on field sampling fills my biggest gap, and my thesis data is ready to use in it.”
Vague Conclusion
Weak: “I hope to make my country proud.”
Better: “After the degree, I’ll join my city’s water office and build a flood warning system, starting with two districts.”
Conclusion
The closest closing dates are the Erasmus Mundus programmes, which close in early January. DAAD EPOS has varying dates. Some have already closed in October. Hungary and Türkiye have not posted new dates. Chevening is closed.
Tonight, look at the official page for one programme you are interested in. Copy the required letter length and questions into a blank document.