Scholarship Overview
Overview
The Government of the Czech Republic offers scholarships within its Foreign Development Cooperation program to support citizens of developing countries studying at public higher education institutions. This program has supported over 20,000 foreign nationals since the late 1950s. For the academic year 2027/2028, applications open on 21 August 2026 and close on 30 September 2026.
Eligible Countries for 2027/2028
Scholarships are restricted to citizens of the following countries only:
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- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- Belarus (democratic forces)
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Mauritania
- Zambia
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Palestine
- Guatemala
- Honduras
Note for African applicants: Ethiopian, Gabonese, Mauritanian, and Zambian citizens are eligible. Applicants from Zimbabwe and other SADC countries are not included in the 2027/2028 eligible countries list.
Degree Levels and Study Programs
Czech-Language Programs
Available only to applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus:
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- Follow-up Master’s programs (2 years) in selected study areas
- Includes a mandatory one-year preparatory Czech language course at the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies, Charles University
English-Language Programs
Available to applicants from all eligible countries:
- Selected follow-up Master’s programs (2 years)
- Selected Doctoral programs (3-4 years)
Academic Requirements
- Master’s applicants: Must have completed a bachelor’s degree
- Doctoral applicants: Must have completed a master’s degree
- English proficiency: Applicants for English-medium programs must complete an online entrance English language test during application submission
What the Scholarship Covers
The scholarship is fully funded and covers:
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- Full tuition fees at public Czech universities
- Living expenses for the standard duration of study
- For Czech-language programs: one-year preparatory language course
The scholarship duration corresponds to the standard length of full-time study: 2 years for Master’s programs, 3-4 years for Doctoral programs.
Who Cannot Apply
The following are explicitly ineligible:
- Citizens of the Czech Republic
- Citizens of the European Union
- Any foreign national with permanent residence in the Czech Republic
There is no legal claim to a scholarship award. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Review official guidelines
Download and read the binding “Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic 2026” in English or Czech before starting your application.
Step 2: Register on the portal
Create an account on the official application portal. Registration is required to access the application form.
Step 3: Complete the electronic application
Fill in all required sections of the online application form. Each applicant may register only once and submit only one application.
Step 4: Complete mandatory tests
- All applicants: general study prerequisites test
- English-medium applicants: additional English language test
Step 5: Submit motivation letter
The application is only complete after uploading your motivation letter and finishing all mandatory tests.
Step 6: Submit by deadline
Final deadline: 30 September 2026. Late applications are not accepted.
Required Documents
Based on the application requirements, prepare:
- Completed electronic application form
- Motivation letter
- Proof of completed prior degree (bachelor’s for Master’s applicants; master’s for Doctoral applicants)
- Documentation for online English test (for English-medium applicants)
Additional documents may be specified in the official Guidelines_2026 document.
Selection and Timeline
- Application period: 21 August – 30 September 2026
- Academic year start: 2027/2028
The selection process follows the joint foreign development cooperation program administered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with implementation support from the Ministry of Health.
Important Legal Framework
These scholarships are governed by Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 870 of 27 November 2024. This establishes the program as part of joint foreign development cooperation between:
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (msmt.gov.cz)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mzv.gov.cz)
- Ministry of Health (mzd.gov.cz)
Data Protection
Applicants should review personal data protection information at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and at the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research, in compliance with EU GDPR regulations.
Contact and Support
For questions not answered in the official FAQ or guidelines:
Email: registr@dzs.cz
Download the FAQ_2026 document (PDF, 221.43 KB) for common questions before contacting support.