Czech Government Scholarships for Study and Research Stays

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (MEYS) annually offers scholarships to foreign nationals within the framework of intergovernmental exchange programmes arranged with the eligible countries (see website).

Scholarships can only be granted to candidates officially recommended for the award by the appropriate authorities in the eligible countries, mentioned in the files above, which collect the applications, set the closing date for applications and organize the selection procedure.

Applications sent directly to the MEYS by individual applicants cannot be processed.

Who can apply

Scholarships of this type are designed for university/college students or graduates and Ph.D. candidates (exceptionally for university researchers/teachers) who wish to undertake study or research visits to one of the Czech public institutions of higher education. 

The scholarships are not intended for summer language courses; a separate notification of scholarships for participation in the Summer Schools of Slavonic Studies will be published.

Eligible recipients and period of scholarship

The categories of eligible recipients are specified separately by each of the exchange programmes arranged with the countries concerned. Detailed information on the entry requirements, in particular the minimum academic qualifications, can be provided by the authorities collecting applications in the eligible countries.

The period of scholarship usually ranges from 2 to 10 months. Scholarships may be awarded repeatedly to the same recipients, provided that they submit a renewed application for the following academic year and are selected by the appropriate authorities in their home countries.

Type of course / conditions of enrolment

Scholarship-holders usually attend courses that do not lead to the award of a degree (non-degree study courses) or pursue an independent research activity (research visit), depending upon their academic qualifications and preferences.

Enrolment in standard degree study programmes, especially Ph.D. courses, for the period of scholarship is also possible. The feasibility of this option depends upon the host university.

The terms and conditions of admission and requirements concerning the language of tuition are stipulated autonomously by the host universities which take independent decisions whether or not each applicant can be accepted within the framework of the MEYS’ scholarship programme.

Access to the art academies can be somewhat limited because the applicants must meet demanding requirements and demonstrate their talent. Samples of their artistic work, e.g. photographs, video/audio recording of a musical performance etc., must be attached to the application forms of fine/performing arts students/graduates.

Language of tuition

The primary language of tuition is Czech. Scholarship-holders can be admitted also to some English-medium courses, though it should be noted that not all courses with tuition in the English language are open to scholarship-holders.  

Letter of invitation / preliminary acceptance letter

Prospective applicants are advised to contact the preferred university directly and request a letter of invitation from the respective department. A letter of invitation is not usually listed among obligatory attachments to the application form. Nevertheless, its submission is recommended, even if not explicitly stated in the exchange programme concerned as a mutually agreed condition, since it can simplify and expedite the admission procedure. Applicants are required to point out to the prospective host universities that they intend to apply for the MEYS’ scholarship.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Nominations and application dossiers must be submitted to the MEYS by the appropriate authorities in the eligible countries. Applications sent directly to the MEYS by individual applicants will not be processed.

Closing date for applications

The closing dates for applications are set by the appropriate authorities in the eligible countries; the deadlines differ in individual countries, but are usually fixed for the very beginning of the calendar year in order to meet the subsequent schedule of admission procedure.  

All applicants should indicate the preferred period of scholarship in their application form. The MEYS reserves the right to change the requested term of scholarship and/or place any applicant onto a course and/or higher education institution different from those indicated in his/her scholarship application form, if admission to the course requested by the applicant is not possible.

Each application dossier must comprise 2 copies of a completely and legibly filled out application form.

and the following required attachments which are also submitted in duplicate, unless the respective bilateral exchange programme stipulates otherwise:  

A. for a study/research stay up to 30 days

• curriculum vitae;
• list of publications (if applicable).

B. for a study/research stay exceeding 30 days

• curriculum vitae;
• list of publications (if applicable);
• medical certificate (only for non-EU/EEA nationals);
• two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors or employer;
• photocopy of diploma (if applicable);
• certified transcript(s) of records.

All documents must be written in or translated into Czech, English, French or German.

Fine arts and performing arts students/graduates are moreover required to attach a sample of their artistic work, e.g. photographs, video/audio recording of a musical performance etc.

Incomplete application dossiers and/or inadequately completed application forms will not be processed.

Advice and further information can be provided by the Czech Embassies in eligible countries and/or the appropriate authories implementing the exchange programme concerned (please see above the list of eligible countries).

PRACTICAL DETAILS

Successful outcomes of the scholarship applications are communicated to the applicants by Decisions issued by the MEYS and delivered by post or collected in person by the awardees who already reside in the Czech Republic. There is no legal claim to the scholarship award. The scholarship is not transferable to another person.

For the academic year 2019/2020, the scholarship amounts to CZK 9,000 per month for those who do not hold a Master's degree or equivalent and CZK 9,500 per month for holders of a Master's degree or equivalent.

Scholarship-holders are exempted from tuition fees. The scholarship has to be collected in person at the appropriate department of the host university.

Students from Albania, Bulgaria, China, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Russia receive their scholarships from the relevant authorities/agencies in their home countries.

Inexpensive accommodation at student dormitories is offered as well as the possibility to take meals at student catering facilities. Scholarship-holders reimburse the related board and lodging expenses themselves. The applicants are requested to indicate in their application form whether they wish to obtain lodging at a student dormitory.

MEDICAL CARE

Medical care for EU/EEA citizens who are properly insured in their home countries is provided in compliance with the European Parliament and Council (EC) Regulation No. 883/2004, as last amended, and its implementing Regulation No. 987/2009, as amended by Regulation No. 465/2012 - detailed information is available on the website of the Health Insurance Bureau.

Please note that the expenses for repatriation are not covered by the provisions of the aforementioned European Regulations, and it is therefore advisable to obtain an insurance policy to this end.

As regards non-EU/EEA citizens, the admitted applicants are required to arrange a medical insurance policy for the period of their stay in the Czech Republic to obtain their (long-term) visas/residence permits. Please consult the consular section of the Czech Embassy in your country to find out about detailed requirements applying to the minimum scope of compulsory insurance policy.

Detailed information on regulations governing residence on the territory of the Czech Republic is available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.

FORFEITURE OF SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is not paid during the scholarship-holder’s absence from the territory of the Czech Republic which lasts for more than 30 calendar days, and during the interruption of or following the termination of studies.

Only one half of the monthly scholarship is provided for any month in which the scholarship-holder is present on the territory of the Czech Republic for less than 15 calendar days.

The claim to scholarship is forfeited and the scholarship is withdrawn, if the admitted applicant fails to commence his/her research or study within 30 calendar days from the prescribed date indicated in the respective Ministry Decision without previously filing a well-founded application for its postponement.

The claim to scholarship is forfeited and the scholarship is withdrawn, if the admitted applicant acquires entitlement to reside on the territory of the Czech Republic by virtue of a permanent residence permit.

The Ministry can also issue an amended decision on the award of scholarship, cancelling its previous decision in regard to the applicant, if changes of circumstances decisive for the assessment of the original application for scholarship award occur or if the Ministry finds out that the original application contained imprecise data (e.g. on academic qualification acquired by the applicant).

The claim to scholarship is forfeited and the scholarship is withdrawn, if the admitted applicant terminates his/her studies, is dismissed from such studies or when it transpires that the scholarship has been awarded on the basis of fraudulent conduct or statement of incorrect data.