The main application period for the Romanian Government (MFA) Scholarship for the 2026/2027 school year ended on March 31, 2026, and it is now April 25, 2026. If you applied during this time, the results should be out by July 15, 2026.
However, Romania currently offers or will soon offer a variety of other funding options for international students and researchers.
1. Scholarships from the Romanian government (MFA and Ministry of Education)
This award is the main scholarship for people from outside the EU to get their undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
- Benefits include full tuition coverage, free housing in student dormitories, and a monthly stipend of about €65 to €85, depending on the level of study.
- Language Policy: To promote the language, we only teach bachelor’s and master’s programmes in Romanian. People who don’t speak the language can take a fully funded one-year preparatory language course.
- Some universities allow students to pursue their PhD in English or another language.
- Next Cycle: Applications for the 2027/2028 session should open in February 2027.
2. Scholarships from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism
A second government track just for international students who want to study in fields that will help Romania’s economy grow, like engineering, tourism, or business.
- Focus: Like the MFA scholarship, but usually handled through a different portal or diplomatic channels.
- Current Status: These usually follow the same schedule as the MFA grants, with applications closing in the spring of 2026.
3. CEEPUS, or the Central European Exchange Programme
Romania is a big center for CEEPUS, which pays for semester-long exchanges and “intensive” short-term summer and winter courses.
- The last day to sign up for Network Mobility (Winter Term) for the first semester of 2026/27 is June 15, 2026.
- Freemover Mobility: If your university isn’t part of a certain CEEPUS network, you can apply as a “Freemover” starting May 2, 2026, for the next year.
- Benefit: Covers the cost of living, insurance, and housing while you’re there.
4. Erasmus+ Grants for Moving
You can get a grant to spend 3 to 12 months at a Romanian school if you are already a student at a partner university outside of Romania.
- Grant Rates for 2026: Students moving to Romania usually get €600–€700 per month, depending on whether they are from an EU or non-EU partner country.
- Placement Mobility: In October and March, many students choose their summer internships for 2026. If you’re looking for openings in the summer of 2026, check with your home university’s Erasmus+ office.
5. Research Scholarships for Eugen Ionescu
This opportunity is for Francophone PhD and postdoc researchers from AUF member countries who speak French.
- The Prize: Fully paid research stays (3 months) at one of 28 Romanian universities that are taking part.
- Current Cycle: The research period for the 2025–2026 edition is now open (May 1–July 31, 2026).
- Applications for the next cycle, which will be for 2026–2027, usually open in September or October 2026.
6. Romania’s Important 2026 Plan
To improve your chances of getting into a Romanian university this year, use these “insider” tips:
- Field Restrictions: The main government scholarship does not pay for studies in Pharmacy, Medicine, or Dental Medicine. If you want to study these fields, you must apply as a self-funded student (tuition is about €3,000–€6,000 per year) or look for merit grants that are only available at certain universities.
- The “Study in Romania” Portal: All official government applications are now available at scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro. If you make an account now, you’ll be able to get notifications for the 2027 cycle.
- Document Readiness: Romania requires that all diplomas and transcripts be translated into Romanian, English, or French and then legalised (Apostilled). Doing this work in the “off-season” (May to August) will help you avoid a lot of stress when you have to apply.
7. Cost of Living Compared to Funding (2026)
- Budget: Romania is still one of the cheapest EU countries. The state stipend isn’t very much, but the “student package” (cheap student meals, subsidised public transportation, and 50% off museums and trains) makes it possible for international students to live there.