The sustainability of Erasmus Mundus programmes remains a key topic and an ongoing conversation within the community. The 2025 Erasmus Mundus Annual Conference, taking place on 20–21 November 2025 at The EGG Brussels, will be dedicated to this theme under the title “The Sustainability of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programmes.” The event will explore how to ensure the long-term viability and excellence of Erasmus Mundus beyond EU-funded cycles. Participants will discuss financial, institutional, and academic dimensions of sustainability through expert panels, case studies, and interactive sessions, providing a platform for sharing strategies, identifying challenges, and co-developing solutions. 

One important avenue for achieving sustainability is cooperation with industry. A new video article features María-Elvira Prieto, EMAI Project Manager at Pompeu Fabra University, who discusses how the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Artificial Intelligence (EMAI) builds bridges between universities, industry partners, and the public sector. The four-university consortium collaborates with technology companies, research centres, and NGOs working on humanitarian technology. The article highlights EMAI’s approach to co-supervised theses, internship pathways, and flexible collaboration models adapted to institutional needs. Prieto shares practical advice for other consortia: define partner roles clearly, address legal aspects early, and maintain transparent communication. 

Stay tuned for the new case studies which will be published in November on the Erasmus Mundus Community Platform exploring how Erasmus Mundus programmes have maintained sustainability after the end of EU funding thanks to diverse approaches to financial viability, institutional commitment, and creative problem-solving. 

The Erasmus Mundus Community Platform also features other inspiring stories and experiences — from long-established programmes to new consortia: 

• PIONEER addresses gaps in traditional public administration education by combining social sciences with IT expertise. The article explores the programme’s interdisciplinary approach and its growth since launching in 2017. 
• MARIHE (Master in Research and Innovation in Higher Education), launched in the early 2000s, was the first consortium to include an Asian university as a full member. The article reflects on how it bridges European and Asian higher education systems while fostering a global professional community. MARIHE is also featured on Study in Europe page, as a highlighted Master’s programme. 
• SDSI (Service Design Strategies and Innovations) shares insights from one of the newest Erasmus Mundus consortia. Bringing together institutions from Latvia, Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, the programme illustrates how new partnerships overcome early challenges — from harmonising educational models to leveraging geographical diversity for student benefit.