2026 Erasmus Mundus Master of Science In Public Sector Innovation and E-Governance (PIONEER)

The Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance (PIONEER) is a two-year or 120 ECTS joint master programme organised by KU Leuven (Belgium), the University of Münster (Germany) and Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia).

The general idea behind this master’s programme is that the public sector needs interdisciplinary expertise in order to be able to benefit fully from the potential of ICT and technological innovations. Within a context wherein digital becomes increasingly important for the modernisation and innovation of the public sector, the sector itself needs experts who (a) are able to translate technological expertise into efficiency, effectiveness, performance and user needs and (b) can take into account the organisational, cultural, social and structural peculiarities of the public sector when implementing new technologies. As a result, interdisciplinary education has become an absolute necessity. PIONEER offers this state of the art education.

PIONEER provides students with specialised competencies in public sector innovation and the role of ICT and technological evolution. It is an interdisciplinary and international programme that combines academic expertise with insight into professional or practical cases and national experience. The programme is built on four major principles:

1. On-site expertise where students can learn and benefit from locally-centred expertise and the contextual peculiarities of Belgium, Germany, and Estonia.
2. Rich learning experiences in a highly international programme where students from different nationalities, continents and public-administrative cultures and traditions meet to learn with and from one another, exchange perspectives and experiences.
3. A balance within the curriculum between academic knowledge and professional expertise or practical applicability.
4. Interdisciplinary education that grants students the opportunity to acquaint with different theoretical frameworks and practice a diversity of professional and research skills. Together, these mark the competencies necessary for the future public sector.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 1, 2026
• ValueFully Funded
• Study LevelMasters
• SponsorErasmus Mundus
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The scholarship is worth 1,400 EUR monthly and will be paid from September (first year of study) to August (second year of study). It will contribute to the costs incurred by the beneficiary students and covers tuition fee, travel, visa, installation and subsistence expenses.
• During this period, the scholarship can only be awarded in full, and to full-time students. The scholarship is awarded for full-time enrolment, and will cover the entire duration of the Master programme (i.e. 24 months). A reduced duration of the scholarship is applicable in case of recognition of prior learning (with a minimum scholarship duration of one academic year).
• Under no circumstances will payments be made before the student arrives in Leuven and the academic year officially starts, even though candidates and admitted students will incur multiple expenses during the preparation of their studies. Please bear this in mind.

Requirements

Academic Requirements:

• Successful applicants are holders of at least a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public administration, political sciences, business, criminology, law, information systems, informatics, computer sciences, engineering  or an equivalent degree in the areas mentioned.
• Applications from candidates with degrees from disciplines other than the ones above may be considered if extra-curricular engagements and/or professional experience in the field of study is demonstrated.
• If you did not yet graduate your Bachelor’s but are about to soon, you can apply too. In case you are selected, you will be admitted on the condition of obtaining your Bachelor of Arts (BA.) or Bachelor of Science (BSc.) by the start of the academic year.

Language Requirements:

Given that PIONEER is completely taught in English, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language and submit an English proficiency test. We only accept the following language certificates:

• TOEFL, for which the minimum total score is 100 (for the internet-based test), with a minimum of 22 on each of the four components.
• IELTS Academic (paper, computer or online based) for which the minimum total score required is 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 on each of the four components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake Scores.
• Cambridge English Qualifications for general and higher education, for which we accept a minimum score of 184 on C1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE).
• ITACE, for which level C1 is required.

Please note that no other English proficiency test is accepted. Test results can be provided a maximum of one month after the official application deadline, but a test registration should already be uploaded onto the application form in case the applicant has not yet received their test results at the time of the application.

Students who obtained a previous diploma (secondary or academic) in a programme taught in English in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America can be exempted. If you obtained your diploma in a country other than those mentioned above, you must submit one of the accepted tests, even if your studies were in English or the administrative language of the country is English.

Selection Process

EEA Procedure

An EEA selection procedure follows these steps:

1. Applicants submit their application online to KU Leuven’s Admissions Office, primarily consisting of the application form and documents stipulated above.
2. A formal review of the application documents will be done by the KU Leuven Admissions Office (i.e., a verification of the authenticity of transcripts, certificates and English tests) in cooperation with the other international offices at the University of Münster and Tallinn University of Technology.
3. The application file is transmitted electronically to the faculties involved in the three universities.
4. The Selection Committee assesses the application file in light of its admission requirements.
5. The programme coordinator informs the KU Leuven Admissions Office about the final decision of the Selection Committee via updates in the online tool.
6. The KU Leuven Admissions Office notifies the applicant. As soon as the decision is entered into the system, the student will see the changed status of the application as ‘Admitted’ or ‘Rejected’.
7. In due time, an admission letter will be emailed to the admitted student. This document will also be sent to the embassy if the student requires a visa, along with further instructions.

Non EEA Procedure

A non-EEA selection procedure follows these steps:

1. Applicants submit their application online to KU Leuven’s Admissions Office, primarily consisting of the application form and documents stipulated above.
2. A formal review of the application documents will be done by the KU Leuven Admissions Office (i.e., a verification of the authenticity of transcripts, certificates and English tests) in cooperation with the other international offices at the University of Münster and Tallinn University of Technology.
3. The application file is transmitted electronically to the faculties involved in the three universities.
4. The Selection Committee assesses the application file in light of its admission requirements (‘admitted’ or ‘reject’ to the programme) and decides whether the candidate can be shortlisted for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship interview (provided that they applied before the March 1 deadline).
5. The programme coordinator informs …
   • … the KU Leuven Admissions Office about the final decision of the Selection Committee via updates in the online tool on a rolling basis.
   • … the applicant (only when shortlisted for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship interview) about the interview procedure early April. Scholarship interviews are traditionally held mid-April, with the results being communicated late-April.
6. The KU Leuven Admissions Office notifies the applicant. As soon as the decision is entered into the system, the student will see the changed status of the application as ‘Admitted’ or ‘Rejected’.
7. In due time, an admission letter will be emailed to the admitted student. This document will also be sent to the embassy if the student requires a visa, along with further instructions.

Application Documents

Admission decisions are made based on the evaluation of a complete application file that reaches the PIONEER office through the official KU Leuven admissions tool. Applicants complete the online application form by submitting all of the following documents (in PDF):

1. Diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records. Applicants upload PDF scans of their original diploma(s) and transcript(s) of academic records. If the applicant has not graduated yet at the time of application, a proof of provisional graduation issued by the university and the intermediate official transcript(s) of records should be uploaded.
2. Translation of diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records. If the documents are not in English, French, Dutch or German, they must be translated by a registered translator. These documents must also be certified by the educational institution that issued them or by a national authority.
3. English proficiency certificate (or test registration; see ‘Language Requirements’).
4. Letter of motivation. A one-page letter motivating your interest in the programme.
5. CV.
6. Proof of nationality. A scan of the identity page of your passport (for EEA citizens, a PDF scan of a national ID card will suffice).
7. Annex of the application form (cf. template) with:
   • your country case study = a one-page reflection essay on the applicant’s country’s innovation strengths and challenges. Candidates use the most recent version of the WIPO Global Innovation Index to analyse the situation of their countries (or a country of their geographical region if they do not find theirs among the 162 ones). The reflection connects to the goals of the PIONEER programme.
   • your motivational video = a two-minute presentation video where applicants introduce themselves and discuss their motivation to join the PIONEER. They can be creative; the most important thing is for the jury to get to know you better. Videos have to be uploaded on Dropbox.
8. Proof of payment of the application fee (given PIONEER applicants are exempted from paying the application fee, please use this document as substitute to your ‘proof of payment’).

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit PIONEER webpage.