The main application period for the Croatian Government (Bilateral) Scholarships ended on April 25, 2026, just a few days ago (the deadline was April 10, 2026). If you have already applied, you will usually hear back in June or July 2026.
Here’s what the funding situation in Croatia looks like right now for people who are planning for the next cycle or looking for rolling opportunities.
1. Scholarships from the Croatian government for two people
The Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth and the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU) run these grants, which are the most complete for international students and researchers.
- Types of scholarships and monthly payments (2026 rates):
- Undergraduate and Master’s students pay €300 a month and don’t have to pay for school or housing/food.
- PhD students: €320 a month for full or part-time research stays.
- • Postdoctoral Researchers: €480 a month for stays of 1 to 10 months.
- • Short Research Visits: €30 per day for 3 to 29 days.
- • Months Not Included: There are no monthly payments in July and August, except for the summer seminar.
- Next Cycle: Applications for the 2027–2028 school year should open in February 2027.
2. The Central European Exchange Programme (CEEPUS)
Croatia is a very active member of the CEEPUS network, which makes it easier for students to move between universities in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
- Deadline for the Winter Semester: June 15, 2026.
- The deadline for the summer semester is October 31, 2026.
- Freemover Window: Applications for “Freemovers” (students who are not part of a specific network) usually open in May 2026 for the winter term that starts in January.
- • Benefit: During the exchange period, it pays for living expenses, housing, and health insurance.
3. Grants for Erasmus+ Mobility
You can apply for an Erasmus+ grant if you are currently enrolled at a university outside of Croatia that has an agreement with a Croatian university.
- Grant Rates: Students who move to Croatia in 2026 usually get between €400 and €600 a month.
- Rijeka/Zagreb University: In June 2026, a lot of faculties will start taking applications for the Spring 2027 semester.
- Green Travel Bonus: Students who take the train or bus to Croatia can get a one-time extra payment.
4. Scholarships for Language and Summer Seminars
For students of Slavic studies or people who want to learn Croatian.
- Summer Seminar (Dubrovnik): A two-week course in August that is challenging. The nominations for 2026 closed in April, but the seminar is a fully funded opportunity that happens every year.
- • One-Semester Language Study: Offered at the University of Zagreb and the University of Rijeka. This usually fits into “Application Pool 2” of the Bilateral scholarship.
5. Important 2026 Strategy for Applicants
To get a Croatian scholarship, you need to go through a certain two-track system:
- Pool 1 (National Nomination): For people from countries that have bilateral agreements with the US, like Hungary, Poland, China, and Turkey. Before the Croatian agency will look at your application, your country’s Ministry of Education must nominate you.
- The “Host Invitation” Rule: If you want to pursue a PhD or Postdoc, you need to send a Letter of Invitation from a professor at a public Croatian university. It is highly recommended to contact faculty in May or June for the next year’s cycle.
- Age Limits: Most people who want to get a full bachelor’s or Master’s degree in 2026 must be under 30, and most people who want to get a partial PhD must be under 34.
6. A summary of the costs and life at the university
- Cost of Living: Croatia is cheaper than Western Europe; €500–€700 covers most monthly costs.
- Subsidised Meals: International scholarship holders can use the “X-ica” card system to eat at student cafeterias (SCS) for a lot less than the market price.