EXCITING NEWS FOR FUTURE LEADERS IN BIOLOGY OF AGEING RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY !
Application process for the (2‑year) ImAGEin Erasmus Mundus Joint Master will open from 6 January, 2026.
This is your chance to join an innovative and dynamic community, where cutting-edge education meets real-world experience.
Are you ready to take your academic journey to the next level? Don’t miss the opportunity to shape your future with us!
⏰ Applications OPENING DATE:
6 January, 2026
For M1 only
⚠️Applications DEADLINE:
6 March, 2026 (23:00, Paris time)
For M1 only
▶️ EMJM Master's programme START DATE:
First week of September 2026
How to apply
Timing for the 2026-2028 Cohort
Selection and admission process
Requirements
Participation costs and scholarships
Registration / Enrolment
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Applications for the 2026-2028 imAGEin Cohort (starting September 2026) are open from January 6 to March 6, 2026 APPLY HERE on the E-Candidat platformHow to use the E-Candidat plateform (pdf guide) |
Please note that we receive a large number of inquiries regarding applications, eligibility criteria, and required documents.
To help us respond effectively, ensure that you have carefully read all relevant information on our website, including the FAQ.
Questions already adressed online may not receive a prompt reply.
Thank you for your understanding.
- Documents needed for the online application on eCandidat:
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Please make sure to include the following documents in your application:- Copy of a valid ID
- For European students: a copy of the national ID
- For non-European students: a copy of the passport
- NOTE: please note that if admitted to the programme and requiring a visa, the passport must be valid for the entire duration of the two-year programme at the time of visa application.
- Recent Photo ID format: Recent photo in ID format (passport-style, with a neutral background and full face visible).
- Bachelor's Degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): A Bachelor's degree in STEM, nationally accredited, with a minimum of 180 ECTS obtained, demonstrating mastery of core disciplinary knowledge and associated experimental methods, in line with pursuing studies in a selective Master's programme.
- Legal copy of the Bachelor diploma, with an official English translation:
- Provide a scan of your Bachelor diploma, with an official English translation
- If the diploma has not yet been obtained (e.g. final-year students), an original proof of enrolment, the most recent transcript of records and a declaration of the end date must be submitted.
- Conditional admission is possible for final-year students. However, the Bachelor's degree must be completed before administrative enrolment in the imAGEin programme.
- Students failing to obtain the degree before the official start of the imAGEin programme will not be allowed to enroll.
- Academic transcripts with 4.0 standard Grade Point Average (GPA):
- All official transcripts must be provided.
- A GPA on the 4.0 scale must be provided. If the institution does not provide a 4.0 GPA, online tools (e.g. Scholaro) may be used to convert grades.
- Include your cumulative GPA (cGPA) on a 4.0 scale
- If online conversion tools are used, a document explaining the conversion method or formula must be attached.
- Module Handbook or Course Catalogue (with English translation): An official document from your university listing all courses taken during your Bachelor studies. It should include course titles, descriptions, credits (ECTS), and, if available, learning outcomes. NOTE: This document can help us better understand your academic background, but it is not mandatory. Please provide it if available. If your university does not issue such a document, please indicate this in your application.
- Motivation letter (maximum 500 words): A motivation letter explaining how the programme aligns with the academic background, career goals, and personal motivation of the candidate. Relevant examples (coursework, research projects, internships, or other activities) demonstrating a genuine interest in the biology of ageing should be included.
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages): Europass format. Include details on age, academic records and quality/recognition of the institution having awarded the bachelor or equivalent degree. Also include your cumulative GPA (cGPA) on a 4.0 scale.
- Personal Training Plan (PTP): A PTP (downloaded from eCandidat) explaining educational, professional & mobility goals during the imAGEin programme. Applicants must indicate and justify three mobility track proposals, ranked in order of preference (from 1 to 3).
- Visibility form: Applicants must complete the online survey (link available on eCandidat) and upload a screenshot in their eCandidat application to confirm that the form has been filled in. The screenshot should be taken right after clicking “Submit my answers”, when the confirmation message appears on screen (e.g. “Your responses have been successfully submitted. Thank you”).
- Two recommendation letters:
- Two recommendation letters are required.
- Must be written in English, signed and dated within the last two years.
- Must appear on official letterhead from the referee's university, company or organization, and include the referee's full name, position/title, institution, and contact information.
- Applicants are responsible for requesting the two letters and uploading them directly to the eCandidat application platform.
- Proof of English proficiency: Knowledge of the English language is considered a basic requirement. All students must provide recent proof (maximum 2 years old) of their proficiency in English through ONE of the following options:
- TOEFL iBT Certificate: minimum overall score of 93 (each component >22)
- IELTS Certificate: minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-component.
- Cambridge English Certificate: C2 Proficiency (CPE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) with a minimum overall score of 180 and no component below 176
- Proof of at least one semester of a studies programme taught 100% in English (such as a Medium of Instruction MOI certificate).
- NOTE: if you provide a MOI certificate confirming that your studies were contucted entirely in English, this is sufficient to fullfill the English requirement. You do not need to submit an additional English language test (TOEFL, IELT, or Cambridge).
- Proof of professional experiences, awards or other relevant recognitions in STEM sciences (Optional).
- Copy of a valid ID
- Application rules
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(a) The application process will be entirely online.
(b) No application will be accepted in any other form.
(c) Non-submitted applications, incomplete applications and applications received after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration.
(d) All completed applications will be recorded and archived to ensure full transparency of the selection process.
(e) The programme adheres to principles of equality and non-discrimination. No applicant is discriminated against based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or any other characteristic.
| 6 January, 2026 | Opening of the application platform |
| Early February, 2026 | Evaluation of application files by the evaluation committee (Round 1) |
| Mid February, 2026 | Notification to applicants (Round 1): "not selected" or "interview" |
| Early March, 2026 | Evaluation of application files by the evaluation committee (Round 2) |
| 6 March, 2026 | Application deadline 11:00 PM (Paris Local Time) |
| Following the application deadline, until mid-March, 2026 | Evaluation of application files by the evaluation committee (Round 3) |
| Mid-March, 2026 | Notification to applicants (Rounds 2 and 3): : "not selected" or "interview" |
| 16 to 20 March, 2026 | Interviews for shortlisted applicants from Rounds 1, 2 and 3 |
| Late March, 2026 | Final rankings and EMJM fellowship award offers |
| Until April 8, 2026 | Notification of candidates on the waiting list for EMJM fellowship slots |
| 8 April onwards, 2026 | Notification of candidates on the "waiting list" for self-funded slots |
| Mid-April to June, 2026 | Admitted students must supply all documents necessary to complete enrollment Students should start their visa application as early as possible |
| First week of September, 2026 | Welcome Week at Université Côte d'Azur (Nice, France). |
| Early September to early October, 2026 | Start of the academic programme at each partner university:
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A ranked list of applicants will be established to determine:
- The students admitted to the programme, and
- The students eligibles for an EMJM scholarship, subject to fullfillment of allocation criteria.
The selection process will take place in two phases:
Phase 1: Evaluation of Application Documents
All complete submiteed applications will undergo a detailed review based on the documentation provided by the applicant.
The Consortium has jointly defined a scoring system 0 to 10 points for Phase 1 applied by the ISC according to the following selection criteria:
- (a) Overall quality of the Curriculum Vitae and/or other experiences
- (b) Motivation letter
- (c) Academic scores
- (d) Reference letters
- (e) Relevance of the proposed Personal Training Plan (PTP)
- (f) English Language skills (eligible or not eligible)
To be considered eligible for admission, applicants must obtain a minimum average score of 7 out of 10 in Phase 1.
Candidates scoring below 7/10 will not proceed to next phase of evaluation (Phase 2, interview).
Phase 2: Interview
Applicants shortlisted from Phase 1 (i.e. those with an average score of 7/10 or higher) will be invited to participate in an online interview. Shorlisted applicant will receive an email with their assigned inteview slot. They must ensure they are available during the interview week (March 16 to 20, 2026). A maximum of 200 interview slots will be available, and each interview will last up to 20 minutes.
- Each interview will be conducted in English by 2 to 3 randomly selected ISC members, who will independently assign a score from 0 to 10.
- A final score will be calculated using the following weighting:
- Phase 1 (Application documents): 30% of average score
- Phase 2 (Interview): 70% of average score
- The final score will be expressed on a 20-point scale.
Based on the final score, the ISC establishes the final ranking list, which is used to determine admission offers and Erasmus Mundus scholarship awards (see Erasmus Mundus scholarship allocation below)
- English Language Proficiency Requirements
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Knowledge of the English language is considered a basic requirement. All students must provide recent proof (maximum 2 years old) of their proficiency in English through at least one of the following documents:
- TOEFL iBT Certificate: minimum overall score of 93 (each component >22)
- IELTS Certificate: minimum overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-component.
- Cambridge English Certificate: C2 Proficiency (CPE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) with a minimum overall score of 180 and no component below 176
- Proof of at least one semester of a studies programme taught 100% in English (such as a Medium of Instruction MOI certificate).
- Educational Background
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All candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent Diploma in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Candidates currently enrolled in the final year of their Bachelor's degree at the time of the application are allowed to apply; however, final admission will only be confirmed upon submission of proof of graduation before the start of the imAGEin programme, i.e. by July of the application year at the latest.
- Erasmus Mundus scholarship
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The Erasmus Mundus scholarship provides a monthly allowance intended to cover living expenses, travel, visa, installation, and substistence costs.
Scholarship holders are not required to pay participation costs or other mandatory costs related to their enrolment in the programme.The scholarship is awarded for full-time enrolment, and covers the entire duration of the Master's programme (24 months).
The scholarship amount is €1,400 per month, which is meant to cover expenses mentioned above.
NOTE: Applicants will not be eligible for Erasmus Mundus scholarships if:- they already benefitted from an Erasmus Mundus scholarship
- the maximum number of scholarships that can be given to students from the same nationality has already been reached
Applicants who are not selected for the scholarship but are academically eligible for the programme may be offered admission with participation costs (see below).
- Erasmus Mundus scholarship allocation
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In parallel with the selection & admission process, a main list and a reserve list of Erasmus-Mundus scholarship-holder candidates will be constructed by the ISC, validated by the IB and sent to the EACEA agency. The selection of scholarship recipients also uses the previously mentioned Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores. Based on the total score obtained (on 20 scale) and an overall ranking will be made, and scholarships will be proposed according to the requirements set for Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
Applicants will not be eligible for Erasmus Mundus scholarships if:
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they already benefitted from an EMJM fellowship,
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the maximum number of fellowships that can be given to students from the same nationality has already been reached.
Students that are not selected for the scholarship but that are still academically eligible for the programme will be offered to join the programme with a participation cost (link) and put on a reserve list for scholarships in case an admitted student declines scholarship or admission.
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- Admission of students without scholarship (Self-funded students)
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Admitted students that are not selected for the EMJM scholarship may follow the imAGEin programme provided that they pay the imAGEin participation costs (see "Costs and Fees" below)
- Costs and Fees for Self-Funded students
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Participation costs:
- European students: €5,000 for the full two-year programme
- Non-European students: €10,000 for the full two-year programme
Participation costs cover local tuition fees, student insurance and joint educational activities.
NOTE: For self-funded students admitted to the programme, a pre-registration fee of €1,000 must be paid to confirm their place during April 2026; the exact date will be communicated to each student by email. This pre-registration fee will be deducted from the Participation Cost Year 1. Please note that this fee is non-refundable in case of withdrawal.
EMJM Scholarship holders are exempt from Participation Costs - Living and travel expenses
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Admitted students will be responsible for their own living and travel expenses. Information and assistance regarding accomodation options are available on the websites of each partner university.
The Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA) can also provide general guidance and support.
- REGISTRATION / ENROLMENT
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All students admitted to the programme must complete the required enrolment procedures for each academic year, in accordance with the regulations of the coordinating and partner universities.
YEAR 1- All admitted students must enrol with the coordinating university, Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA).
- Students whose Year 1 host university is not UniCA must complete a dual enrolment:
- one enrolment with Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA), and
- one enrolment with their Year 1 host university (University of Cologne, University of Coimbra, or University of Seville).
YEAR 2- Students whose Year 2 host university is UniCA are required to complete a single enrolment with Université Côte d'Azur only.
- Students whose Year 2 host university is another partner institution must complete a dual enrolment:
- one enrolment with Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA), and
- one enrolment with their Year 2 host university (University of Cologne, University of Coimbra, University of Seville, or Sorbonne Université).
Each local coordinator will inform admitted students hosted at their institution of the specific enrolment procedures and the documents required for registration at the host university.
