Indian students CAN access Erasmus+ traineeships, but only through the International Credit Mobility (ICM) pathway, not by applying directly. The monthly grant is EUR 800 to 900 depending on the destination group (Erasmus+ Programme Guide). The key requirement: your Indian university must have a signed ICM partnership agreement with a European institution that is running an active traineeship programme.
This article is a direct companion to our guide to stipend internships in Europe for Indian students, which covers funded programmes broadly. Here we focus specifically on Erasmus+: who qualifies, how the application actually works, and what happens step by step.
Are Indian Students Eligible for Erasmus+?
Standard Erasmus+ traineeships are for students enrolled at European universities. Indian students are not eligible for the standard programme. However, the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) sub-programme funds student and staff exchanges between European institutions and partner universities in other parts of the world, including India.
Under ICM, your European partner university applies for a grant to bring in students from their Indian partner institutions. The Indian student is nominated by their home university, not self-applied. This distinction matters for timing and process.
There is also a second pathway: if you are already enrolled at a European university as a degree-seeking student (for example, on a master's programme), you qualify for standard Erasmus+ traineeships the same as any EU student.
| Student situation | Eligible pathway | Monthly grant |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolled at Indian university with ICM partner in Europe | Erasmus+ ICM traineeship | EUR 800-900/month (Programme Guide) |
| Enrolled as degree student at EU university | Standard Erasmus+ traineeship | Set by National Agency within EU ranges |
| Indian student, no university partnership | Not eligible for Erasmus+ | -- (explore DAAD WISE, Charpak) |
How Much Is the Erasmus+ Stipend for Indian Students?
ICM grants for students coming from India into European traineeships are structured differently from standard Erasmus+ mobility grants. The European Commission sets ICM rates higher to account for the greater distance and cost of international travel.
| Destination country | Erasmus+ ICM monthly grant (EUR) | Approximate INR/month |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands, Germany, Austria (Group 1) | EUR 900 | Convert at the day's rate |
| Spain, Portugal (Group 2); France, Italy (Group 1) | EUR 850 (Group 2), EUR 900 (Group 1) | Convert at the day's rate |
| Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland; Group 1) | EUR 900 | Convert at the day's rate |
| Poland, Hungary (Group 3); Czechia (Group 2) | EUR 800 (Group 3), EUR 850 (Group 2) | Convert at the day's rate |
Ask your international office what travel support applies to your mobility.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an Erasmus+ Traineeship from India
The application does not start with you, it starts with your university. Here is the real sequence:
- Check if your Indian university has ICM agreements. Contact your International Relations Office or check the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. Look for active agreements tagged "traineeship" or "SMS" (student mobility for studies combined with traineeship).
- Get nominated by your university. Your Indian university's International Office nominates you to the European partner. Nominations typically happen at a fixed deadline set by the European institution (often March for autumn intake, September for spring intake).
- Apply at the European university. Once nominated, you complete the European university's own application form, CV, motivation letter, proof of language competence, academic transcripts. The European institution then confirms your admission and identifies a host organisation for the traineeship.
- Sign the Learning Agreement for Traineeships (LAT). This three-way document is signed by you, your Indian university, and the European host organisation. It confirms the traineeship content and duration.
- Apply for your national visa. A Schengen D visa (national long-stay visa) is needed for traineeships over 90 days. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. The European university will provide an acceptance letter for your visa application.
- Receive the grant and travel. The Erasmus+ grant is usually paid in two tranches: 80% before departure and 20% after completing the traineeship and submitting a final report.
Preparing a strong profile before your nomination is submitted significantly increases your chances. See how an engineering student presents their international profile, the format European universities and companies look for is more structured than a standard Indian CV.
Which Indian Universities Have Erasmus+ Partnerships?
The following institutions have active or historically active Erasmus+ ICM agreements as of 2025-2026. This list is indicative, not exhaustive, verify with your own International Office:
- IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Hyderabad
- IISc Bangalore (Indian Institute of Science)
- University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Jadavpur University, Calcutta
- Amity University (multiple campuses)
- University of Hyderabad, University of Pune
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- BITS Pilani (selected agreements)
Even if your university is not on this list, it may have applied for new ICM agreements recently. The Erasmus+ programme cycle running from 2021-2027 has significantly expanded the pool of Indian partner institutions.
Erasmus+ vs AICTE vs Other Indian Scholarship Programmes
| Programme | Who applies | Monthly amount | Countries covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ ICM | Via university, nominated only | EUR 800-900 (Programme Guide) | EU and associated countries |
| DAAD WISE / RISE | See DAAD | Check daad.in | Germany only |
| Charpak Summer Training (Campus France India) | Direct student application | EUR 700, max 2 months | France only |
| AICTE (no internship-abroad grant found) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| UGC international mobility | Via university nomination | Variable | Select bilateral partners |
For Indian students who want to intern in Germany specifically, the DAAD WISE programme is often easier to access because it is a direct application, no university ICM agreement required. For broader European internship options with any sector, Erasmus+ ICM is the strongest funded route when available.
Autumn 2026 Deadlines: Act Now
European universities accepting Erasmus+ traineeship nominations for the autumn 2026 semester are typically closing their nomination windows in May to June 2026. Indian students need to apply through their home institution's International Office right now. The ICM process requires 3-4 months minimum from nomination to traineeship start.
If your university does not have Erasmus+ ICM agreements or if the nomination window has passed, explore our full list of funded internship scholarships for Indian students including DAAD, Charpak, and sector-specific programmes.
Already have a European university partner lined up? Create a free profile on Internship Abroad so host organisations in your target country and sector can find you.