Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia - Bilateral (Pool 1)

Overview

The Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia under Pool 1 are funded by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth and administered by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU). They are directed at citizens of countries with active bilateral educational cooperation agreements with Croatia, and for the 2026/2027 academic year the application deadline is 10 April 2026. The scholarship family is unusually flexible: it covers eight distinct types of study or research mobility, ranging from a one-semester Croatian language course through to a full doctoral programme of up to 36 months.

Eligible countries for Pool 1 are: Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria), Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Each applicant must be a citizen of one of these countries and their home institution or national authority must send a nomination letter to AMPEU's bilateral team. This makes the process slightly different from a direct scholarship competition — your institution acts as an intermediary, and AMPEU handles placement at an accredited Croatian public higher education or research institution.

The eight programme types make this scholarship relevant to a wide range of applicants: a master's student from Turkey could apply for a 4-10 month partial study stay, while a researcher from China could propose a postdoctoral visit to a Croatian laboratory. The Croatian academic calendar runs October through June (excluding July-August), so the study or research period is structured around that window.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of one of the 18 countries with a valid bilateral or educational cooperation agreement with Croatia listed under Pool 1. Note that the German eligibility is specific to Bavaria — citizens of other German states should verify whether an alternative route applies. Kosovo and Montenegro are listed alongside EU member states, reflecting specific cooperation agreements in place with Croatia.

Academic Requirements

Requirements depend on the type of mobility you are applying for. Full undergraduate study requires a secondary school diploma meeting Croatian admission standards. Partial master's or full master's study requires a completed bachelor's degree. Doctoral or partial doctoral research requires a master's degree or proof of doctoral enrolment. Postdoctoral applicants must hold a completed doctorate. Your academic record must be sufficient for admission at the Croatian institution you are placed at.

Nomination Requirements

A nomination or recommendation letter from your home institution or national authority is required and must be sent by that body directly to bilaterala@ampeu.hr. Individual applicants cannot submit a nomination letter on their own behalf. If your country has a national agency or ministry managing this bilateral relationship, that body must initiate the nomination process.

Language Requirements

Study conducted in Croatian requires sufficient knowledge of the Croatian language. For research or English-taught programmes, language requirements are set by the receiving Croatian institution. Confirm language conditions with AMPEU or the hosting institution before applying.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Study or research at an accredited public Croatian higher education or research institution
• One-semester Croatian language course (4–5 months) or two-week summer language seminar (August)
• Partial bachelor's or master's study (4–10 months)
• Full bachelor's programme (36–48 months)
• Full master's programme (12–24 months)
• Full doctoral programme (36 months)
• Partial doctoral research stay (1–10 months)
• Postdoctoral research period (1–10 months) or short postdoctoral visit (3–29 days)

How to Apply

1. Confirm your country's bilateral status — Verify that your country has a valid educational cooperation agreement with Croatia. AMPEU or the Croatian embassy in your country can confirm this.
2. Choose your programme type — Decide which of the eight mobility types fits your academic stage and goals. Check that the type you want is available under your country's specific bilateral terms.
3. Identify a Croatian host institution — Research accredited public Croatian universities or research institutes in your field. The University of Zagreb, University of Split, University of Rijeka, and University of Osijek are among the main options.
4. Secure a nomination letter — Your home institution or national authority must send a nomination or recommendation letter to bilaterala@ampeu.hr before the 10 April 2026 deadline.
5. Complete the AMPEU online application — Submit your application and all supporting documents through AMPEU's online system. Applications must be in English or Croatian.
6. Await placement confirmation — AMPEU reviews applications and confirms placements at Croatian institutions. Successful candidates are notified and proceed with visa arrangements for study starting October 2026.

Required Documents

• Completed application form via AMPEU's online system
• Valid passport
• Nomination or recommendation letter from home institution or national authority (submitted separately by the institution to bilaterala@ampeu.hr)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates for all completed study levels
• Research or study plan describing your proposed work in Croatia
• Curriculum vitae
• Language proficiency documentation where required
• For postdoctoral applicants: proof of completed doctorate

Key Dates and Deadlines

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Contact AMPEU (bilaterala@ampeu.hr) early to confirm that your chosen programme type is available under your country's bilateral agreement — not all eight types are open to every eligible country.
• Reach out to potential supervisors or departments at Croatian universities before submitting your application. A confirmed or provisional acceptance from a Croatian academic makes your application more concrete.
• Write a clear research or study plan that describes specific topics, methods, or courses you intend to pursue in Croatia — generic plans are harder to evaluate and less persuasive.
• Make sure your institution's nomination letter arrives at AMPEU by 10 April 2026. A late nomination disqualifies your application regardless of its quality.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a nomination letter yourself rather than through your institution or national authority. AMPEU requires that the nomination come from an institutional sender, not the individual applicant.
• Applying in a mobility type that is not covered under your bilateral agreement. Check with AMPEU before completing the full application.
• Underestimating the July–August closure. Most study and research periods exclude these two months, so plan your calendar accordingly if you are applying for a mobility type of less than 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Croatia Bilateral Scholarships (Pool 1)?

They are Croatian government scholarships for citizens of countries with bilateral educational agreements with Croatia, covering eight types of study or research mobility — from a one-semester language course to a full doctoral programme — at accredited Croatian public universities and research institutes.

Who is eligible for the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1?

Citizens of Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria), Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Türkiye, and Ukraine, provided their country has a valid bilateral or educational cooperation agreement with Croatia.

What is the deadline for the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1 for 2026/2027?

The application and nomination letter deadline is 10 April 2026. Both the individual application in AMPEU's online system and the nomination letter from your institution must be submitted by that date.

What programme types are available under Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1?

Eight types: a Croatian language semester (4–5 months), a summer language seminar (2 weeks), partial bachelor's or master's study (4–10 months), full bachelor's (36–48 months), full master's (12–24 months), full PhD (36 months), partial PhD research (1–10 months), and postdoctoral research (1–10 months or 3–29 day visits).

Does the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1 provide a monthly stipend?

The official call describes the scholarship as covering study or research opportunities at accredited Croatian institutions. The call documentation does not specify a cash stipend amount — contact AMPEU at bilaterala@ampeu.hr for current benefit details specific to your programme type.

Do I apply directly to a Croatian university for Pool 1?

No. You apply through AMPEU's online system and your home institution or national authority must send a separate nomination letter. AMPEU then handles placement at a Croatian institution.

Which Croatian universities can I study at under Pool 1?

You can study at any accredited public Croatian higher education or research institution. This includes the University of Zagreb, University of Split, University of Rijeka, University of Osijek, and various public research institutes.

Can I apply for a full PhD under the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1?

Yes. Full doctoral programmes of up to 36 months are one of the eight eligible mobility types under Pool 1, subject to your country's bilateral agreement covering this category.

What language do I need for the Croatia Bilateral Scholarship Pool 1?

For Croatian-taught programmes, you need sufficient Croatian language ability. For research or English-taught programmes, requirements are set by the receiving institution. Language requirements for the Croatian language semester type are addressed through the course itself.

How is Pool 1 different from Pool 2 of the Croatia scholarship?

Pool 1 is for citizens of specific bilateral partner countries and covers a wide range of study types at all levels. Pool 2 is open to students of any nationality who are already studying Croatian language or Slavic Studies abroad, and it is limited to a one-semester language course or a summer seminar.