How to Apply for the Croatia Government Scholarships 2026–2027 (Bilateral Programme)

The Croatia Government Scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year are officially open. Offered by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia and administered by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, this bilateral programme provides fully and partially funded opportunities for international students, researchers, and academics to study in Europe.

If you are looking for a high-quality European education combined with rich cultural exchange, this scholarship is an excellent opportunity.

Here is everything you need to know to apply successfully.

Scholarship at a Glance

• Host Country: Croatia
• Funded By: Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia
• Administered By: Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes
• Academic Year: 2026–2027
• Study Period: October 2026 – September 2027
• Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

 Understanding the Two Application Pools

This scholarship is divided into two distinct categories. You must determine which pool you belong to before applying:

Application Pool 1: Bilateral Agreements This pool is for citizens of countries that have a valid educational cooperation agreement with Croatia. Crucial requirement: You must be officially nominated by the government or national authority of your home country.

• Eligible Nationalities include: Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria), Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

Application Pool 2: Croatian Language Studies This pool is open to students worldwide, regardless of their home country's bilateral agreements. It is exclusively for international students currently studying Croatian language or Slavic Studies at a university outside of Croatia.

• Crucial requirement: You must submit a recommendation letter from your current Croatian language professor.

Available Study Levels & Programmes

Depending on your application pool, you can apply for the following:

• Language & Short-Term: One-semester Croatian language study (4–5 months) or a 2-week summer seminar in Dubrovnik.
• Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): Partial studies (4–10 months) or Full degree (36–48 months).
• Graduate (Master’s): Partial studies (4–10 months) or Full degree (12–24 months).
• Doctoral (PhD): Full PhD programme (36 months) or short-term research (1–10 months).
• Postdoctoral Research: Research stays lasting 1–10 months, or short visits (3–29 days).
• Available Subjects: Open to all academic fields, including humanities, sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

 Scholarship Benefits

Note: Exact benefits vary depending on the specific bilateral agreement between Croatia and your home country. However, benefits typically include:

• Full or partial tuition fee coverage
• A monthly stipend (in applicable cases)
• Accommodation support or assistance
• Full access to Croatian university facilities and research institutions
• Student financial aid

 Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements (All Applicants):

• Must be a foreign student, researcher, or academic.
• Must apply to study at an accredited Croatian higher education institution.
• Must meet the specific academic and language requirements of your chosen programme.

Specific Requirements:

• Pool 1 Applicants: Must be a citizen of an eligible country AND receive an official Nomination Letter from your home country’s designated government authority.
• Pool 2 Applicants: Must be actively studying Croatian/Slavic studies abroad AND upload a Recommendation Letter from your Croatian language professor.

Required Documents

All documents must be submitted in English or Croatian through the online application portal.

For Pool 1 (Bilateral Agreements):

1. All standard required documents uploaded to the online system.
2. An official Nomination Letter sent directly via email or post by your home country’s national authority to the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes.

For Pool 2 (Language Studies):

1. All standard required documents uploaded to the online system.
2. A Recommendation Letter from your Croatian language professor (uploaded directly to the online system).

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify Your Track Determine if you are applying through Pool 1 (Bilateral) or Pool 2 (Language Studies).

Step 2: Secure Your Nomination/Recommendation (Do this early!)

• Pool 1: Contact the relevant government ministry or agency in your home country immediately to ask how to be nominated for the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship.
• Pool 2: Inform your Croatian language professor that you are applying and request a signed recommendation letter.

Step 3: Submit the Online Application Create an account and submit your application through the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes' official online application system before 10 April 2026.

Step 4: Ensure Third-Party Documents are Sent (Pool 1 Only) If you are a Pool 1 candidate, ensure your home country's authority emails or mails your Nomination Letter to the Agency before the deadline.

 Contact Information

For official queries, you can reach the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes directly:

• Website: ampeu.hr
• Email: bilaterala@ampeu.hr
• Postal Address: Frankopanska 26, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
• Phone: +385 (0)1 5556 498

For complete, official details, please visit the Croatian Government Scholarship Webpage.