Lithuanian State Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Studies

Overview

The Lithuanian State Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Studies is a government-funded scholarship program administered by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation of Lithuania. It supports foreign nationals from a defined set of eligible countries to pursue full-time Master's degree studies at Lithuanian universities. The program awards 70 grants per year, distributed across eligible nationalities with specific quotas: 20 grants are reserved for Ukrainian citizens, 5 for applicants of Lithuanian origin from outside the EU and EFTA, and a maximum of 10 for each other eligible nationality.

The monthly scholarship value for the 2026 cycle was EUR 592, calculated as 8 Basic Social Amounts under Lithuanian social policy. In addition to the monthly stipend, the scholarship includes a grant covering study costs up to the national standard, which means tuition at the host Lithuanian institution is typically covered within established limits. The program is strictly for physically present full-time study in Lithuania — distance or online learning does not qualify, and recipients must physically arrive in Lithuania by October 31 of the enrollment year even if their studies start late.

One specific language requirement applies from the first academic year: recipients must demonstrate A1-level Lithuanian within their first year of study. This is a basic threshold, but it signals Lithuania's intent that scholarship holders integrate into the academic environment. The application portal is sistema.smpf.lt, and the deadline is 20 April annually at 4:00 PM Vilnius time — the exact minute matters because the portal closes automatically.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Funding Body	Education Exchanges Support Foundation, Lithuania
Host Country	Lithuania
Degree Level	Master's (full-time only)
Value	EUR 592/month (8 Basic Social Amounts for 2026) + grant covering study costs up to national standard; 70 grants total
Deadline	20 April annually, 4:00 PM Vilnius time (portal closes automatically)
Eligible Nationalities	Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam; also Lithuanian-origin applicants from non-EU/EFTA countries
Official Website	studyin.lt/scholarships/full-time-master-degree-studies/

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, or Vietnam. Alternatively, you may qualify as a foreign national of Lithuanian origin from a non-EU/non-EFTA country — this requires documentary proof of Lithuanian heritage, obtainable from a Lithuanian community organization or embassy.

Degree Requirements

You must be enrolled in or accepted to a full-time Master's degree program at a Lithuanian university. Distance, online, or part-time programs do not qualify. If your studies start after the September intake and you arrive in Lithuania after the academic year begins, you must be physically present in Lithuania by October 31 of that year.

Quota Constraints

Country quotas apply strictly: 20 grants for Ukraine, 5 for Lithuanian-origin applicants, and a maximum of 10 per other eligible country. If the quota for your country is full, you cannot receive an award in that cycle regardless of your academic standing.

Language Requirements

Within your first academic year in Lithuania, you must demonstrate A1-level Lithuanian. This is a basic proficiency threshold — equivalent to introductory knowledge — but it is a formal condition of the scholarship.

What the Scholarship Covers

• EUR 592 per month (8 Lithuanian Basic Social Amounts as of 2026; amount may change in future cycles)
• Grant covering study costs up to the Lithuanian national standard (effectively covers tuition within that limit)
• 70 total grants per year across all eligible nationalities
• Does not cover travel costs, accommodation, or supplementary living expenses

How to Apply

1. Check eligibility: Confirm your nationality is on the eligible list and that you will be enrolled full-time at a Lithuanian Master's program.
2. Obtain acceptance: Secure an acceptance letter or pre-acceptance letter from a Lithuanian university, or confirm your current enrollment if already studying in Lithuania.
3. Register on sistema.smpf.lt: Create an account on the application portal at sistema.smpf.lt.
4. Select the correct scholarship scope: When applying, select "Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Degree Studies 2026" (or the current year's equivalent) within the portal.
5. Complete the application form: Fill in your personal details, academic background, and proposed study program.
6. Upload required documents: Attach the acceptance or pre-acceptance letter, one recommendation letter, and for Lithuanian-origin applicants, proof of heritage.
7. Submit before 4:00 PM Vilnius time on 20 April: The portal closes automatically at this time. Do not wait until the final hours to submit.
8. Await notification: Successful applicants are notified and given further instructions including information on arriving in Lithuania by October 31 if studies begin late.

Required Documents

• Completed online application form (via sistema.smpf.lt)
• Acceptance letter or pre-acceptance letter from a Lithuanian university, or confirmation of current Master's enrollment
• One recommendation letter dated within 6 months of the application date
• For Lithuanian-origin applicants: proof of Lithuanian heritage from a Lithuanian community organization or embassy
• All documents must be in English or Lithuanian only — other languages are not accepted

Key Dates & Deadlines

The application deadline is 20 April annually at exactly 4:00 PM Vilnius time. The portal closes automatically at this moment. Late applications cannot be submitted. Recipients whose studies begin after September must arrive physically in Lithuania by October 31. Check studyin.lt for the current cycle's exact opening date and any updates to the application process.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Secure your Lithuanian university acceptance early — this is the core document and some universities have their own application deadlines well before April
• Request your recommendation letter at least a month before April 20, since the letter must be dated within 6 months of your application and procuring it at the last minute is a common bottleneck
• Submit at least one day before the portal closes — technical issues on the final day of a deadline are common, and the 4:00 PM hard close allows no grace period
• If you are applying on Lithuanian-origin grounds, contact a Lithuanian embassy or community organization well in advance to obtain the heritage documentation, as it can take several weeks

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting documents in a language other than English or Lithuanian — only these two languages are accepted
• Missing the 4:00 PM Vilnius time cutoff — the portal closes automatically and no exceptions are made
• Applying for a part-time or distance learning Master's program — these are explicitly excluded
• Underestimating the October 31 physical arrival requirement — if you cannot be in Lithuania by that date, you risk losing the scholarship even after being selected
• Not planning for supplementary funds — the scholarship does not cover accommodation or travel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lithuanian State Scholarship for Full-Time Master's Studies?

It is a government scholarship covering EUR 592 per month plus study costs for foreign nationals from 16 eligible countries (and Lithuanian-origin applicants) to pursue full-time Master's studies at Lithuanian universities. 70 grants are awarded per year.

How much is the Lithuanian State Scholarship per month?

EUR 592 per month for the 2026 cycle, calculated as 8 Lithuanian Basic Social Amounts. This figure may change in future cycles in line with changes to the Basic Social Amount.

What is the deadline for the Lithuanian State Scholarship?

20 April annually at 4:00 PM Vilnius time. The portal closes automatically at this time and no late submissions are possible.

Which countries are eligible for the Lithuanian State Scholarship?

Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Lithuanian-origin applicants from non-EU/EFTA countries can also apply.

Are there country quotas?

Yes. Ukraine has 20 grants reserved; Lithuanian-origin applicants have 5 reserved; other eligible countries can receive a maximum of 10 grants each. Total is 70 grants across all categories.

Does the Lithuanian State Scholarship cover tuition?

Yes — it includes a grant covering study costs up to the Lithuanian national standard, which effectively covers tuition within that limit. The monthly stipend of EUR 592 is on top of this.

What documents do I need for the Lithuanian State Scholarship?

An acceptance or pre-acceptance letter from a Lithuanian university (or current enrollment confirmation), one recommendation letter dated within 6 months of application, and for Lithuanian-origin applicants, proof of heritage. All documents must be in English or Lithuanian.

Is distance or online Master's study eligible?

No. Only full-time, in-person studies at a Lithuanian university qualify. Distance and online programs are explicitly excluded.

Do I need to know Lithuanian to apply?

You do not need Lithuanian at the time of application. However, you must demonstrate A1-level Lithuanian within your first academic year in Lithuania as a condition of the scholarship.

What happens if I arrive in Lithuania after the start of the academic year?

If your program starts after September, you must still be physically present in Lithuania by October 31 of the enrollment year. Arrival after this date puts your scholarship at risk.

Where do I apply for the Lithuanian State Scholarship?

Through the portal at sistema.smpf.lt. Register, log in, and select the "Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Degree Studies" scope for the current year.