As of April 25, 2026, Estonia has become one of the most generous European centers for international funding, especially in STEM and digital governance. The country is smaller, so the competition is very fierce. Furthermore, a lot of important deadlines for the 2026–2027 school year are coming up right now.
These are the main ways to get money to study in Estonia in 2026.
1. The Estonian Government Scholarship Programme for 2026
The Education and Youth Board (Harno) runs the programme as the main national scholarship.
- • Deadlines right now:
- The deadline for applying for summer schools and research grants is May 1, 2026.
- • Degree and Exchange Studies: Some categories are open right now, but a second round for some exchange and degree placements is expected to be announced in August 2026.
- What it covers:
- Students getting a master’s or doctoral degree get a monthly stipend of €350 for a master’s and €660 for a PhD.
- • Summer and Winter Schools: Covers course fees up to €700 and gives students €25 a day for housing.
- • Researchers: €45 per day for short stays or €660 per month for long stays.
- • All fields are eligible for master’s and PhD scholarships. You can only get a bachelor’s scholarship if you study something related to Estonian language and culture.
2. Dora Plus: The “Main Event” for Master’s and PhD students
Dora Plus is probably the best scholarship for international students in Estonia because it is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
- Master’s Students (Action 2.1): * Stipend: €350 a month for one school year (10 months).
- • Target: International students who have already finished their first year of school in Estonia or are new to the country and have a high academic record.
- PhD Students (Action 1.1): * Salary: Usually between €700 and €900 a month.
- • Support: Includes a one-time moving allowance of about €500.
- Tip for strategy: Dora Plus is very clear about its support for STEM, IT, and Natural Sciences. Your chances of getting into TalTech or the University of Tartu for Computer Science are statistically higher.
3. Tuition Waivers for Specific Universities
Most universities in Estonia don’t offer “stipend” scholarships. Instead, they give out tuition waivers, which pay for the whole program.
- University of Tartu: For almost every Master’s programme taught in English, they give out a certain number of scholarships that cover tuition. When you apply for the programme through DreamApply, you are automatically considered for these scholarships.
- TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology): Waivers are mostly for IT and Engineering programmes. These are based on merit and how well you did on your entrance exam or interview.
- Estonian Entrepreneurship University (EUAS): Offers specific Dora Plus sub-action grants, which enrolled students can apply for until about October 10.
4. The Estophilus Scholarship
The Estophilus Scholarship Fund is a small but important grant for people who are specifically studying Estonia.
- The goal is to pay for research on the Estonian language, culture, society, or history.
- • Coverage: Pays for a monthly stipend and travel expenses for a research stay in Estonia that lasts from 1 to 5 months.
- Usually has two cycles a year, in the spring and autumn.
5. Important Requirements for the 2026 Application
This year, to get a scholarship in Estonia, you have to go through a certain digital-first application process:
- The DreamApply Portal: The DreamApply system handles almost all applications for universities and scholarships in Estonia. Make sure to upload your digital transcripts and 2026 English proficiency test results (IELTS/PTE) early.
- Letter of Confirmation First, you usually need an Admission Letter or at least a Confirmation of Registration from an Estonian university before you can finish the application for the Government and Dora Plus scholarships.
- • Letter of Motivation Weight: Estonian reviewers put “Specific Fit” at the top of their list. Don’t just praise the “E-Estonia” digital society; name a specific research group or professor (especially at TalTech or Tartu) whose work fits with what you want to do.
6. Schedule for a start in late 2026 or early 2027
- The final deadline for the current Government Summer School and Research grants is May 1, 2026.
- In August 2026, go to the Harno website to find out about the new round of Degree and Exchange scholarships.
- October 2026: Internal university deadlines for Dora Plus Action 2 (for students who are already in Estonia).