Latvian State Scholarships for Studies

Overview

The Latvian State Scholarships for Studies is a government-funded mobility scholarship administered by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) of Latvia. It is designed to support foreign students from countries that have bilateral education agreements with Latvia, or from countries that offer reciprocal scholarships to Latvian citizens, to spend one or more semesters studying at a Latvian higher education institution at Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD level. The program does not fund a full degree — it provides monthly financial support for study periods, typically up to 10 months (11 months for PhD students).

The scholarship values are tiered by degree level: EUR 500 per month for Bachelor's students, EUR 600 per month for Master's students, and EUR 700 per month for PhD students. The funding window for the 2026/2027 cycle ran from 1 February to 1 April, which is a tight two-month application period. This program operates under two distinct eligibility tracks: 28 countries have formal bilateral education cooperation agreements with Latvia, and an additional 11 countries are included because they offer reciprocal scholarships to Latvian students — a different but equally valid route to eligibility.

Latvia is a member of the European Union and the Bologna Process, and its universities offer programs in English across a wide range of fields including science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and the humanities. Riga, the capital, is home to the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University, among others. The Latvian State Scholarship is a useful option for students from the eligible countries who want European university experience without the higher tuition costs associated with studying in Western Europe. The scholarship does not cover travel costs or all living expenses, so applicants should plan supplementary funding carefully.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Funding Body	State Education Development Agency (VIAA), Latvia
Host Country	Latvia
Degree Levels	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Value	EUR 500/month (Bachelor's); EUR 600/month (Master's); EUR 700/month (PhD); up to 10 months (11 for PhD)
Deadline	1 February – 1 April (for 2026/2027 cycle)
Eligible Nationalities	39 countries (28 bilateral agreement countries + 11 reciprocal scholarship countries; see full list below)
Official Website	viaa.gov.lv/en/latvian-state-scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of one of the 39 eligible countries. The two tracks are: (1) countries with a bilateral education cooperation agreement with Latvia — Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Tajikistan, China, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam; and (2) countries offering reciprocal scholarships to Latvians — Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Slovakia, Switzerland, United States.

Academic Requirements

You must be enrolled at a recognized higher education institution in your home country at the level appropriate to your intended scholarship level: Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD. For PhD students, the research stay must be related to your doctoral thesis.

Grant Combination Restriction

The Latvian State Scholarship cannot be combined with other grants or scholarships covering the same study period. If you are receiving another scholarship, you are not eligible for this program for the same period.

Language Requirements

You need proficiency in the language of instruction at your Latvian host institution. Many programs are available in English; Latvian-language programs require Latvian proficiency. Confirm the language of your specific program before applying.

What the Scholarship Covers

• EUR 500 per month for Bachelor's students
• EUR 600 per month for Master's students
• EUR 700 per month for PhD students
• Study period of up to 10 months (11 months for PhD students)
• Note: travel costs and full living expenses are not covered — plan supplementary funding
• The scholarship cannot be combined with other grants for the same period

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility: Verify that your country is on the eligible list for the current cycle and that you are not receiving another grant covering the same period.
2. Identify a Latvian host institution: Find a Latvian university offering your program of interest in the relevant language. Contact the host institution's international office to confirm they can host you and to obtain any required pre-acceptance documentation.
3. Prepare your documents: Assemble all required documents (see list below) before the application window opens.
4. Apply during the open window: Submit your application to VIAA between 1 February and 1 April (for the 2026/2027 cycle). Check viaa.gov.lv for the exact window for your cycle.
5. Submit through the correct channel: Applications may be submitted via VIAA directly or through your home country's Ministry of Education, depending on your country's bilateral agreement arrangements — confirm this with VIAA at info@viaa.gov.lv before applying.
6. Await selection: VIAA processes applications and notifies successful candidates of the outcome and next steps including any visa requirements.

Required Documents

• Completed application form (format specified by VIAA)
• Valid passport copy
• Enrollment certificate or student ID from your current home institution
• Academic transcripts from your current program
• Bachelor's or Master's degree diploma (for Master's or PhD applicants respectively)
• Motivation letter describing your study or research plan in Latvia
• Language proficiency proof (for the language of instruction at the Latvian host institution)
• Acceptance letter or pre-acceptance from the Latvian host university (if required)

Key Dates & Deadlines

For the 2026/2027 academic year cycle, the application window ran from 1 February to 1 April. This is a strict two-month window — late applications are not accepted. Check viaa.gov.lv each year for the current cycle's exact dates, which may shift slightly. Contact VIAA at info@viaa.gov.lv or +371 67814322 to confirm dates for your cycle.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Contact VIAA (info@viaa.gov.lv) before applying to confirm whether your country's applications go through VIAA directly or through your national Ministry of Education — this process varies by bilateral agreement
• Secure a host institution contact early, since some Latvian universities require a pre-acceptance letter as part of the application
• Write a specific motivation letter focused on what you will study or research in Latvia and how it fits into your broader academic work
• Budget for travel and top-up living costs — the monthly stipend is a contribution, not a full living allowance, and Latvia's cost of living in Riga is moderate but not negligible

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying while receiving another scholarship covering the same period — this is a strict disqualifying condition
• Applying from a country not on the current eligible list — check the VIAA website for the current year's list before investing time in the application
• Applying outside the February-to-April window — the portal is not open year-round
• Overlooking the travel cost gap — the scholarship does not cover flights, so budget this separately from the start

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Latvian State Scholarship for Studies?

It is a monthly mobility scholarship for students from 39 eligible countries to study at a Latvian university at Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD level for up to 10 months (11 for PhD). It is funded and administered by Latvia's State Education Development Agency (VIAA).

How much is the Latvian State Scholarship per month?

EUR 500 for Bachelor's students, EUR 600 for Master's students, and EUR 700 for PhD students.

Which countries are eligible for the Latvian State Scholarship?

39 countries across two tracks: bilateral agreement countries (Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Tajikistan, China, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam) and reciprocal scholarship countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Slovakia, Switzerland, United States).

Can I combine the Latvian State Scholarship with another grant?

No. The scholarship cannot be combined with other grants covering the same study period.

What is the deadline for the Latvian State Scholarship?

The application window for the 2026/2027 cycle was 1 February to 1 April. Check viaa.gov.lv each year for the current dates.

Does the Latvian State Scholarship cover tuition?

The scholarship is a monthly living stipend. Whether tuition at the Latvian host institution is waived or charged separately depends on your bilateral agreement and the host institution. Confirm this with both VIAA and the host university before applying.

How do I apply for the Latvian State Scholarship?

Contact VIAA at info@viaa.gov.lv or +371 67814322 to confirm the application channel for your country, then submit documents during the open window. Some countries apply via VIAA directly; others route through their national Ministry of Education.

What is the maximum study period under the Latvian State Scholarship?

Up to 10 months for Bachelor's and Master's students, and up to 11 months for PhD students.

Does the Latvian State Scholarship cover travel costs?

No. Travel costs are not covered. Budget these separately when planning your application.

Where can I find more information about the Latvian State Scholarship?

Visit viaa.gov.lv/en/latvian-state-scholarships or contact VIAA at info@viaa.gov.lv or by phone at +371 67814322.