Bachelors / Masters / PhDFully Funded

Government Scholarships - Developing Countries

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Government of the Czech Republic offers fully funded scholarships to students from eligible developing countries for Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs at public universities in the Czech Republic.

Provider: Government of the Czech Republic
Host country: Czech Republic
Deadline: Not available — check official website
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Government Scholarships - Developing Countries is open to African students applying to study in Czech Republic at the Bachelors / Masters / PhD level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Bachelors / Masters / PhD · applicants for Czech Republic
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Bachelors / Masters / PhD
Deadline: Not available — check official website

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be citizens of specific developing countries and meet academic requirements for their chosen study level. Neither a citizen of the Czech Republic, nor a citizen of the European Union, nor any other foreign national with a permanent residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic may, therefore, apply for a scholarship.

What the fully funded award covers

Health insurance
Visa & residence costs
Language preparation

About the Government Scholarships - Developing Countries (2026)

## Overview The Government of the Czech Republic, through its Foreign Development Cooperation, offers prestigious scholarships to eligible foreign nationals from developing countries. These scholarships facilitate study at public institutions of higher education in the Czech Republic, promoting international collaboration and academic development. The program has a long-standing tradition, having supported over 20,000 foreign nationals in their studies since the late 1950s. Scholarships are awarded as part of a joint foreign development cooperation program by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. ## Benefits Recipients of the Government Scholarships can expect comprehensive support, as the scholarships are designed to cover the standard length of full-time study. This implies a fully funded opportunity, although specific details regarding the covered expenses (e.g., tuition, living costs, health insurance) should be verified in the "Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic" document. The program also includes a one-year preparatory course of the Czech language for those undertaking studies in Czech. ## Eligibility **Citizenship Requirements:** Scholarships for the academic year 2026/2027 are exclusively offered to citizens of the following countries: * Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus (democratic forces) * Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia * Cambodia, Sri Lanka * Guatemala, Jordan **Academic Level Requirements:** * **Bachelor’s Study Programmes (three- to four-year-long) in Czech language:** Only for applicants from Georgia, in selected areas of study. Completion of secondary education equivalent to a school-leaving examination in the Czech Republic is required. * **Follow-up Master’s Study Programmes (two-year-long) in Czech language:** For applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus, in selected areas of study. Completion of a Bachelor's study program is required. * **Selected Follow-up Master’s Study Programmes (two-year-long) in English language:** For applicants from all eligible countries. Completion of a Bachelor's study program is required. * **Selected Doctoral Study Programmes (three- to four-year-long) in English language:** For applicants from all eligible countries. Completion of a Master's study program is required. **General Exclusions:** * Citizens of the Czech Republic. * Citizens of the European Union. * Foreign nationals with a permanent residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic. ## Required Documents While the official page does not list specific required documents, typically, scholarship applications necessitate: * Academic transcripts and diplomas from previous studies. * Proof of citizenship (e.g., passport copy). * Curriculum Vitae (CV). * Motivation letter. * Recommendation letters (for Master’s and Doctoral programs). * A research proposal (for Doctoral programs). * Health certificate. Applicants should carefully review the "Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic" for a definitive list of required documents. ## How to Apply 1. **Read the Guidelines:** Prospective applicants are strongly advised to meticulously read the "Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic" (available in Czech and English) before beginning their application. 2. **Complete the Electronic Application Form:** Fill in the electronic application form available at [http://registr.dzs.cz/registr.nsf](http://registr.dzs.cz/registr.nsf). 3. **Complete Application:** An application is considered complete only after completing the general knowledge test and, if applicable, the English language test. 4. **Entrance Examinations:** Depending on the chosen subject area, applicants for studies in the Czech language may be required to sit entrance examinations at the university. Successful passing of these examinations is a prerequisite for a scholarship award. 5. **English Language Test:** Applicants for a Government scholarship to study in English must take an online entrance English language test during the application submission process to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency. ## Key Dates * **Application Deadline:** 30 September 2025 * **Academic Year Start:** The successful applicant will commence studies in the academic year 2026/2027. ## Selection Criteria The selection process for these scholarships is highly competitive. While explicit selection criteria are not fully detailed on the page, the following are likely to be considered: * **Academic Merit:** Demonstrated strong academic performance in previous studies. * **Eligibility:** Strict adherence to citizenship and academic level requirements. * **Language Proficiency:** Sufficient proficiency in Czech (for Czech-taught programs) or English (for English-taught programs). * **Interview/Entrance Exams:** Successful performance in any required entrance examinations or interviews. * **Motivation:** A clear and compelling motivation for pursuing studies in the Czech Republic and contributing to their home country's development. There is no legal claim to the scholarship award. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Begin the application process well in advance of the deadline, as gathering all necessary documents and completing tests can take time. * **Review Guidelines Carefully:** The "Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic" are crucial. Ensure you understand all requirements and conditions. * **Language Preparation:** If applying for a Czech-taught program, be prepared for the one-year preparatory language course. For English-taught programs, ensure your English proficiency is strong. * **Contact for Questions:** If you have questions not answered in the provided documents, contact registr@dzs.cz. * **Explore Study Programs:** For studies in Czech, only selected areas are available, particularly for Bachelor’s programs from Georgia and Master’s programs. For English-taught programs, review the detailed lists of selected Master’s and Doctoral programs. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official program page: [https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries](https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries)

What the Fully Funded Government Scholarships - Developing Countries covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Health insurance
Visa & residence costs
Language preparation

Government Scholarships - Developing Countries eligibility for Czech Republic applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be citizens of specific developing countries and meet academic requirements for their chosen study level. Neither a citizen of the Czech Republic, nor a citizen of the European Union, nor any other foreign national with a permanent residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic may, therefore, apply for a scholarship.

Documents required for the Government Scholarships - Developing Countries application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Government Scholarships - Developing Countries 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be citizens of specific developing countries and meet academic requirements for their chosen study level. Neither a citizen of the Czech Republic, nor a citizen of the European Union, nor any other foreig…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many Government of the Czech Republic awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Not available — check official website (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Government of the Czech Republic will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Government Scholarships - Developing Countries deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Editorial verification note

AI returned past date "30 September 2025". The deadline for submitting applications for the academic year 2026/2027 is on 30 September 2025.

Last checked 5/18/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Government Scholarships - Developing Countries?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Bachelors / Masters / PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Government of the Czech Republic, and be able to relocate to Czech Republic for the duration of the programme.

Is the Government Scholarships - Developing Countries fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Not available — check official website. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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