The Czech Government Scholarship is one of Europe’s longest-running fully funded scholarship programmes — running since the late 1950s and supporting more than 20,000 international students at Czech public universities. Jointly administered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Czech Republic’s Foreign Development Cooperation programme, it’s specifically reserved for citizens of a defined list of developing and transitional countries.
If you’re researching fully funded postgraduate study in Central Europe, here’s what you need to know about eligibility, funding, required documents, and the deadline for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Quick Overview
| Funded by | Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic |
| Levels covered | Master’s, PhD (plus a preparatory year for language/academic prep, where required) |
| Application period | 21 August 2026 – 30 September 2026 |
| Monthly stipend | CZK 16,000 (Master’s) / CZK 24,960 (PhD) |
| Tuition | Fully waived for scholarship holders |
| Programme start | Academic year 2027/2028 |
Which Countries Are Eligible
For the 2027/2028 cycle, the confirmed list of eligible countries is:
Bangladesh, Belarus (democratic forces), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mauritania, Palestine, Ukraine, and Zambia.
Citizens of the Czech Republic, EU member states, or holders of Czech permanent residence are not eligible for this scholarship — it’s specifically designed to support students from the listed developing and transitional countries. Note that the eligible country list is reconfirmed each cycle, so always verify against the current year’s official call before applying.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Monthly stipend: CZK 16,000 for students without a Master’s degree (or equivalent) already, and CZK 24,960 for those already holding a Master’s degree and applying for doctoral study
- Full tuition fee exemption at Czech public universities
- Access to a one-year preparatory course in Czech language and academic subjects, for students who need it before starting their main programme
Important budget note: while the scholarship is genuinely generous, it is not “all costs covered.” You are responsible for your own international travel costs, and your monthly stipend is intended to cover your accommodation, food, and local transport — not fully separate allowances for each. Budget accordingly, especially in the months before your first stipend payment arrives.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above
- Hold the appropriate academic qualification for your intended level of study: a secondary school certificate (where Bachelor’s-level study is offered — this varies by country and cycle) or a relevant prior degree with transcripts for Master’s or Doctoral study
- Not be a citizen of the Czech Republic or another EU country, and not hold Czech permanent residence
- Be prepared to complete a General Study Prerequisites Test during the application process
- If applying for an English-medium programme, also complete an online English Language Test
- If you already hold Czech language proficiency at B2 level, you may apply directly for a Czech-medium programme without completing the one-year preparatory course — but you’ll still need to pass the standard university admission process and provide your language certificate
Required Documents
- Completed electronic application form (via the official registration portal)
- Proof of citizenship of an eligible country (passport or equivalent)
- Secondary school certificate (if applying at Bachelor’s level, where available) or prior degree diploma and transcripts (for Master’s/PhD applicants)
- Evidence of English proficiency, for English-medium programmes (via the required online test)
- Motivation letter
- For fine arts/performing arts applicants: a sample of your artistic work (photographs, video, or audio recording)
- Any additional country-specific or programme-specific documents named in the current call
All documents must be in Czech or English, or accompanied by an official translation.
Application Process
- Confirm your eligibility — citizenship of an eligible country, and academic qualifications matching your intended level of study.
- Choose your study track and programme — Czech-taught or English-taught, Master’s or Doctoral, from the approved programme list for the current call.
- Start legalising your documents now, before the portal even opens — this step often takes longer than expected and shouldn’t be left until the deadline is close.
- Register on the official application portal (registr.dzs.cz) once the 2027/2028 call opens on 21 August 2026.
- Complete the electronic application form, uploading all required documents.
- Complete the mandatory General Study Prerequisites Test, and the English Language Test if applying for an English-medium programme.
- Submit before 30 September 2026 — late or incomplete applications are not accepted.
- Your application is forwarded to the relevant Czech embassy in your country for further processing after submission.
- Selection outcomes are communicated by official decision from the Ministry — there is no legal entitlement to the scholarship even if you meet all eligibility criteria, so treat this as a genuinely competitive process.
Key Dates
- Application period opens: 21 August 2026
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026
- Programme start: academic year 2027/2028
There is a single annual intake tied to this cycle — missing the 30 September deadline means waiting a full year.
Official Resources
- Government Scholarships – Developing Countries (MEYS): https://msmt.gov.cz/en/scholarships/government-scholarships-developing-countries
- Official application portal: registr.dzs.cz (accessible once the call opens)
- Always confirm the current year’s eligible country list, available programmes, and exact stipend amounts on the official MEYS page before applying, since terms are reconfirmed each cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my country is eligible? Check the current list of 13 eligible countries for the 2027/2028 cycle above, and always verify against the official MEYS call, since the list is reconfirmed each year.
Is this scholarship really fully funded? It covers full tuition and a monthly stipend, but you’re responsible for your own international travel, and your stipend needs to stretch to cover accommodation, food, and local transport.
Do I need to already speak Czech? No — if you don’t have B2-level Czech, you can complete a one-year preparatory course covering language and academic subjects before starting your main programme.
Can I apply for a Bachelor’s degree? Bachelor’s-level study is only available to citizens of specific countries in some cycles — check the current year’s call to see if it applies to your country.
What happens if I submit my application late? It won’t be accepted — the 30 September 2026 deadline is firm.
Does meeting all the eligibility criteria guarantee I’ll receive the scholarship? No — there is no legal entitlement to the award even if you’re fully eligible; selection is competitive.
Don’t Wait on This One
With document legalisation often taking longer than expected, and both a General Study Prerequisites Test and (for English-track applicants) an English Language Test built into the process, this isn’t something to start after the portal opens on 21 August 2026. Begin gathering and legalising your documents now, so you’re ready to submit well before the 30 September deadline.
Want expert guidance through the process? Our experienced student counsellors can help you choose the right programme, prepare your documents, and get through the required tests with confidence — reach out today.
Follow @stepbystepscholarshipguide for more fully funded scholarship breakdowns, deadlines, and step-by-step application guidance.
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