Closing Date: 8 January 2027
Erasmus Mundus STEPS Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master’s in Sustainable Transportation and Electric Power Systems
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Transportation and Electric Power Systems (STEPS) is now accepting applications for students who want to build advanced careers in renewable energy, electrical power systems, electric mobility and sustainable transportation.
The two-year master’s programme offers an exciting opportunity to study across several European universities while gaining specialized knowledge in technologies shaping the global energy transition. Most importantly for international applicants, Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for the best-ranked students, with the scholarship package including tuition-related support and a €1,400 monthly contribution toward living costs.
About the Erasmus Mundus STEPS Programme
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Sustainable Transportation and Electric Power Systems, commonly known as STEPS, is a two-year, 120-ECTS master’s programme focused on two major areas of the energy transition:
- Sustainable Transportation
- Electrical Power Systems
The programme is delivered through an international consortium led by the University of Oviedo, together with partner universities including the University of Kiel, Sapienza University of Rome and the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra.
Students study in several European countries and receive a joint master’s degree recognized by the participating institutions and countries.
The programme is particularly attractive to engineering graduates who want to combine electrical engineering with emerging technologies in renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage and electric transportation.
Erasmus Mundus STEPS Scholarship 2027
One of the biggest attractions of STEPS is the opportunity to apply for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
The STEPS consortium selects highly ranked applicants for Erasmus Mundus scholarships based on its approved selection criteria. The number of scholarships is determined annually, meaning that admission to the master’s programme does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
For successful scholarship recipients, the current STEPS scholarship information provides two main forms of support:
€1,400 Monthly Living Allowance
Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders can receive a €1,400 contribution toward subsistence costs per month, for up to 24 months of the master’s programme.
This can provide significant financial support while students are studying and moving between European countries during the programme.
Tuition Fee Support
The Erasmus Mundus STEPS Scholarship structure includes either:
- Full scholarships covering tuition fees plus a contribution to subsistence costs, or
- Tuition-fee waivers, depending on the scholarship category and applicant classification.
Erasmus Mundus scholarships can also contribute toward other participation-related costs under the broader Erasmus Mundus framework, including travel and visa costs.
Important: Scholarships are competitive and awarded to the highest-ranked candidates. Applicants should therefore apply for the STEPS programme and explicitly indicate that they wish to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
Who Is Eligible for the STEPS Scholarship?
The programme welcomes applicants from both European and non-European countries.
For applicants from countries classified as Erasmus+ Partner Countries, the STEPS scholarship rules generally distinguish applicants who have not lived, studied or worked in an Erasmus+ Programme Country for more than 12 months during the relevant five-year period.
This makes the programme particularly attractive to qualified engineering graduates from Africa, Asia, Latin America and other eligible regions.
Applicants should also note that Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders cannot receive another EU grant for the same joint master’s programme and must be enrolled full-time.
Who Can Apply?
STEPS is designed primarily for applicants with an engineering background.
To meet the minimum academic requirement, applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, involving at least three years of university study and 180 ECTS or an equivalent qualification under the relevant national and European regulations.
Final-year undergraduate students can also apply and may receive a conditional offer if they are expected to complete their degree before enrolment.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate an appropriate B2 level of English. The programme currently recognizes qualifications including IELTS, TOEFL and PTE Academic, subject to the stated minimum scores and validity requirements.
What Will You Study?
STEPS offers two recommended academic tracks.
1. Sustainable Transportation
This track is ideal for students interested in electric vehicles, transportation electrification, power electronics, energy storage and sustainable mobility.
Course areas include battery chargers for electric vehicles, grid converters, battery cell engineering, wireless power transfer, electric ground vehicles and onboard storage systems.
2. Electrical Power Systems
The Electrical Power Systems track focuses on the technologies needed for modern electricity networks.
Students can explore areas including:
- Renewable energy systems
- Smart grids
- Grid-connected technologies
- Distributed generation
- Intelligent distribution networks
- Advanced power systems
- Energy storage
- Power-system optimization
This makes the programme particularly relevant for graduates interested in renewable energy integration and the modernization of electricity systems.
Study in Multiple European Countries
STEPS is not a conventional master’s degree where students remain at one university for two years.
The programme includes international mobility, with students studying in different European locations as part of their academic pathway. The current programme structure includes study periods associated with Rome or Coimbra, Kiel and Oviedo, followed by an internship and master’s thesis.
Students can therefore gain international academic experience while developing professional networks across the European energy and transportation sectors.
Internship and Master’s Thesis Opportunities
STEPS has strong connections with universities and companies working in energy and transportation.
The programme states that its consortium includes 13 international universities and 24 leading companies in the energy and transportation sectors. Associated companies may offer internship opportunities, while students can complete their master’s thesis in collaboration with a partner institution or organization.
This industry connection can be valuable for students who want to transition from graduate study into careers in engineering, energy technology, electric mobility or research.
Career Opportunities After Graduation
STEPS prepares graduates for a range of careers connected to the energy transition.
Potential career areas include:
- Renewable energy engineering
- Electrical power systems
- Smart-grid engineering
- Energy storage
- Electric vehicle technology
- Sustainable transportation
- Power-system planning
- Energy consulting
- Energy technology research
- Industrial engineering
- Clean energy project development
The combination of electrical power systems and sustainable transportation also gives graduates an opportunity to understand the increasingly important relationship between electricity generation, energy storage and electrified transport.
How Competitive Is the Erasmus Mundus STEPS Scholarship?
Applicants should understand that this is a competitive scholarship.
STEPS evaluates eligible applications using academic and professional criteria, with the current admission process allocating 40% to academic records, 20% to professional and research experience, and 40% to the personal interview. The strongest applicants are then ranked for admission and consideration for Erasmus Mundus scholarships.
This means applicants should not rely solely on good grades. A strong application should demonstrate relevant engineering knowledge, meaningful professional or research experience, a clear motivation for studying sustainable transportation or electrical power systems and strong communication during the interview.
How to Apply for the Erasmus Mundus STEPS Scholarship
Applications are submitted directly through the STEPS programme application system. Applicants do not apply for the STEPS scholarship separately through the European Commission.
Applicants should prepare their academic transcripts, degree documentation, English-language evidence where required, CV, motivation letter and reference documents according to the current application instructions.
Because scholarship selection is highly competitive, applicants should give particular attention to their motivation statement and demonstrate how STEPS fits into their academic and professional goals.
Why Apply for the STEPS Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
For engineering graduates looking to build a career in the clean energy transition, STEPS offers a particularly strong combination of specialized education, international mobility and scholarship opportunities.
The programme brings together electrical power systems, renewable energy integration, energy storage and sustainable transportation—areas that are becoming increasingly important as countries work to decarbonize their electricity and transport sectors.
If you have an engineering degree and want to specialize in renewable energy, power systems, electric mobility or sustainable transportation, the STEPS Erasmus Mundus Joint Master is an opportunity worth considering before the deadline
