Quick Facts
Fact Detail Deadline 30 September 2026 Funded by Government of Czech Republic (MEYS + MFA) Degree levels Follow-up Master’s (2 years) · Doctoral (3-4 years) Eligible countries 13 countries (see full list below) Monthly stipend Master’s: CZK 14,000 (~€545) · PhD: CZK 15,000 (~€585) Application fee None Number of awards At least 130 per year
The Czech Government offers fully funded scholarships for international students from developing countries to study at public universities in the Czech Republic. Since the late 1950s, over 20,000 foreign nationals have completed their studies through this program. Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year open on 21 August 2026 and close on 30 September 2026.
This is not a vague “opportunity” post. Here’s exactly who qualifies, what you get, and how to apply—step by step.
What the Czech Government Scholarship Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
The scholarship is fully funded—but “fully funded” has limits. Here’s the breakdown:
⚠️ Note: Some websites incorrectly state the stipend as CZK 16,000 for Master’s and CZK 24,960 for PhD. The official amount from the Ministry of Education is CZK 14,000 for Master’s and CZK 15,000 for Doctoral students.
Check other fully funded scholarships in Europe →
Who Can Apply: 13 Eligible Countries for 2027-28
The Czech Government releases a new country list each year. For 2027/2028, scholarships are offered only to citizens of these 13 countries:
| Europe | Africa | Asia | Latin America |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Ethiopia | Bangladesh | Guatemala |
| Georgia | Gabon | Cambodia | Honduras |
| Ukraine | Mauritania | Palestine | |
| Belarus (democratic forces) | Zambia |
Important: The 2027/28 list has changed from previous years. Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Jordan—which were eligible for 2026/27—are not on the 2027/28 list. If your country isn’t listed, you cannot apply for this specific scholarship.
You cannot apply if you are:
- A citizen of the Czech Republic
- A citizen of any EU member state
- A foreign national with permanent residence in the Czech Republic
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
Can I apply without IELTS? Yes—there is no IELTS/TOEFL requirement. Instead, you take an online entrance English language test as part of the application. This is a major advantage for students from non-English-speaking countries.
Required Documents – Master’s vs PhD
You’ll submit everything through the online portal at http://registr.dzs.cz/registr.nsf. Here’s what you need:
For Master’s applicants:
- Motivation letter (1 A4 page)
- CV focused on education and work experience
- Copy of passport
- Signed Declaration of Acceptance of Scholarship Terms
- Signed Declaration on Health Services
- Signed Affirmation to Return to Country of Origin
- Legalized birth certificate with certified Czech translation
- Medical certificate (issued within 2 months)
- Legalized Bachelor’s degree + Diploma Supplement
- Academic transcripts
For PhD applicants (additional documents):
- Motivation letter (2 A4 pages)
- Overview of publications
- Dissertation thesis proposal (3-5 pages)
- Two recommendation letters from professors
⚠️ Critical: Document legalization and translation into Czech can take 4-6 weeks. Start this process in July 2026, not September.
How to Apply: 7-Step Walkthrough
Follow these steps exactly. Missing one can disqualify your application.
Step 1: Check your country — Confirm your citizenship is on the 2027/28 eligible country list. If not, stop here.
Step 2: Choose your study track — Decide between Czech-taught (includes 1-year prep course) or English-taught (requires online English test). Czech-taught is only available to applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Step 3: Gather documents early — Start collecting and legalizing your documents by July 2026. Legalization takes time—don’t wait until the last week.
Step 4: Complete the online application — Fill the form at http://registr.dzs.cz/registr.nsf. Use the Roman alphabet if possible; otherwise, English or Czech is accepted.
Step 5: Take the entrance tests — If applying for English-taught programs, complete the online English language test during submission. Universities may also require subject-specific entrance exams.
Step 6: Submit and print — After online submission, print the signed copy and send it to the Government of the Czech Republic as instructed.
Step 7: Wait for university decisions — Passing entrance examinations is a precondition for the scholarship award. You’ll be notified by the university, not the Ministry.
Selection Process – What Happens After You Apply
The selection isn’t a single committee decision. Here’s the actual process:
- Application submitted via registr.dzs.cz by 30 September 2026
- Online English test completed (for English track applicants)
- Universities review applications and conduct entrance examinations
- Universities recommend candidates to the Ministry
- Ministry awards scholarships based on university recommendations
Key insight: The university decides if you’re academically qualified. The Ministry handles the funding. Your application needs to impress both the university admissions committee and the Ministry.
Application Timeline – Work Backwards from 30 September
30 September 2026 is the absolute deadline. Here’s when you need to act:
Don’t submit on 30 September. The portal gets overloaded. Submit by 25 September at the latest.
How Competitive Is This Scholarship?
At least 130 new government-funded scholarship places are offered each year. But here’s the reality:
- Thousands apply from 13 eligible countries
- Specific quotas may apply per country (not publicly disclosed)
- Your chances are higher if you apply for Czech-taught programs (fewer applicants, plus a fully funded language year)
- Your chances are lower for English-taught programs (more applicants, global competition)
The program has supported over 20,000 students since the 1950s. It’s competitive but not impossible—especially if you start early and follow every requirement exactly.
Comparison with Similar Scholarships
| Scholarship | Monthly Stipend | Countries | Deadline | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Government | €545 (Master’s) / €585 (PhD) | 13 specific countries | 30 Sep 2026 | None |
| DAAD (Germany) | €934+ | All developing countries | Varies by country | None |
| Chevening (UK) | ~£1,300 | All Chevening-eligible | Nov 2026 | None |
| Swedish Institute | ~SEK 12,000 | ~40 countries | Jan 2027 | None |
The Czech scholarship offers a lower stipend than DAAD or Chevening, but tuition is fully covered and the cost of living in Czechia is significantly lower than in the UK or Sweden.
FAQ – Czech Government Scholarships 2027-28
Which countries are eligible for Czech Government Scholarships 2027-28?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus (democratic forces), Ethiopia, Gabon, Mauritania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Guatemala, and Honduras. Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Jordan were eligible in 2026/27 but are NOT on the 2027/28 list.
Can I apply for Czech Government Scholarship without IELTS?
Yes. There is no IELTS or TOEFL requirement. Instead, you take an online entrance English language test during the application process. This test determines your English proficiency for English-taught programs.
Is there any application fee for Czech Government Scholarship?
No. The application is completely free. If anyone asks you to pay, it’s a scam. The only costs you’ll incur are for document legalization, translation, and postage.
What is the monthly stipend for Czech Government Scholarship?
Master’s students receive CZK 14,000 (~€545) per month. Doctoral students receive CZK 15,000 (~€585) per month. You’ll use this to cover accommodation, food, and transport—it’s sufficient for a student lifestyle in Czechia but not luxurious.
When is the deadline for Czech Government Scholarship 2027?
30 September 2026. The application portal opens on 21 August 2026. Submit early—the system gets overloaded close to the deadline.
Applications close on 30 September 2026. That’s just over a year from now—but document legalization takes 4-6 weeks. Start gathering your transcripts and passport copy today. Visit the official application portal →
