Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia - Croatian Language (Pool 2)

Overview

The Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia under Pool 2 are a focused language and culture immersion opportunity funded by Croatia's Ministry of Science, Education and Youth and administered by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMPEU). Unlike Pool 1, which is restricted to citizens of bilateral partner countries, Pool 2 is open to students of any nationality anywhere in the world — as long as you are currently enrolled in a Croatian language course or Slavic Studies programme at a university outside Croatia.

The scholarship provides two formats: a one-semester immersion in Croatian language, literature, and culture at the University of Zagreb or the University of Rijeka (running approximately 4 to 5 months during the academic year), or a two-week summer seminar in Dubrovnik held in August 2026. Both options are designed for students who are already learning Croatian and want to deepen their language skills and cultural knowledge in Croatia itself, rather than from abroad.

The defining application requirement is a recommendation letter from your Croatian language professor or the head of the Slavic Studies department at your home university. This letter, submitted through the AMPEU online application system, confirms that you are genuinely enrolled in Croatian language study and that your institution endorses your participation. The deadline for both the semester and summer seminar options under Pool 2 is 10 April 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year and the August 2026 summer seminar.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Core Eligibility Requirement

You must be enrolled at a university outside Croatia and currently studying the Croatian language or pursuing a Slavic Studies degree that includes Croatian language study. This can be as a standalone language course, a language minor, a Slavic philology programme, or any other formal university-level Croatian language instruction. You do not need to be enrolled in a full degree in Croatian; a substantive university-level language course qualifies.

Nationality Requirements

There are no nationality restrictions for Pool 2. Students of any nationality from any country outside Croatia may apply, provided the core eligibility requirement — current Croatian language or Slavic Studies study at a foreign university — is met.

Language Proficiency

Because this is a language immersion scholarship, there is no minimum proficiency threshold required to apply. The programme is designed for learners at various stages of Croatian language acquisition. Your professor's recommendation will reflect your current level and your readiness to benefit from an immersion period in Croatia.

Institutional Requirement

Your home university must have a Croatian language instructor or a Slavic Studies programme head who can submit a formal recommendation letter through the AMPEU online system. Without this, your application cannot proceed.

What the Scholarship Covers

• One-semester Croatian language, literature, and culture programme at the University of Zagreb or University of Rijeka (approximately 4–5 months, October 2026 through February or March 2027)
• Two-week summer seminar in Croatian language, literature, and culture in Dubrovnik, August 2026
• Tuition for the programme at the Croatian institution
• Placement at a leading Croatian public university with structured language and culture coursework

How to Apply

1. Confirm you meet the eligibility requirement — Verify that you are enrolled in a Croatian language or Slavic Studies course at your home university. If you are uncertain whether your programme qualifies, contact AMPEU at bilaterala@ampeu.hr to ask before applying.
2. Choose your programme format — Decide between the one-semester immersion (October 2026, University of Zagreb or Rijeka) and the two-week Dubrovnik summer seminar (August 2026). You can note a preference in your application.
3. Ask your Croatian language professor to submit a recommendation — Your professor or Slavic Studies department head must submit a recommendation letter directly through the AMPEU online application system. This is a mandatory requirement, so arrange this well before the 10 April 2026 deadline.
4. Complete the AMPEU online application — Fill in the application form with your personal details, academic background, language level, and programme preference. Applications must be submitted in English or Croatian.
5. Upload your supporting documents — Attach all required materials through the online system before the deadline.
6. Await AMPEU's decision — AMPEU reviews applications and informs successful candidates. If you are selected for the semester option, you then arrange your travel and short-stay visa for Croatia.

Required Documents

• Completed application form via AMPEU's online system
• Valid passport
• Recommendation letter from your Croatian language professor or Slavic Studies department head, submitted through the AMPEU system
• Proof of current university enrolment showing your Croatian language or Slavic Studies course
• Brief statement of purpose explaining your language learning goals and why you want to study in Croatia
• Academic transcript (undergraduate or postgraduate)

Key Dates and Deadlines

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Ask your professor to submit the recommendation letter well before the 10 April deadline — the system can experience delays near the deadline and a late submission blocks your application.
• Write a statement of purpose that explains specifically what you want to get out of the immersion period: language skills you want to strengthen, cultural or literary topics you want to study, or research goals connected to Croatian language and literature.
• If you are interested in the summer seminar rather than the full semester, make this preference clear in your application. The Dubrovnik seminar in August 2026 runs outside the regular academic term and has its own rhythm.
• Contact AMPEU in advance (bilaterala@ampeu.hr) if you are unsure whether your university's Croatian language course qualifies. Getting this confirmed early saves you from preparing an application that cannot proceed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming your professor can submit the recommendation letter independently of the AMPEU online system. The letter must go through the system, not by separate email.
• Applying for Pool 2 if you are not actually enrolled in a Croatian language or Slavic Studies course. The recommendation letter requirement makes this verifiable, and misrepresenting your enrolment status disqualifies you.
• Confusing Pool 1 and Pool 2. If you are from one of the bilateral partner countries and want to study a full degree or pursue research in Croatia, you should apply under Pool 1, not Pool 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Croatia Croatian Language Scholarship (Pool 2)?

It is a Croatian government scholarship for international students who are already studying Croatian language or Slavic Studies at a foreign university, giving them the opportunity to spend a semester or a two-week summer seminar studying Croatian language, literature, and culture in Croatia.

Who is eligible for the Croatia Croatian Language Scholarship Pool 2?

Any international student, of any nationality, who is currently enrolled in a Croatian language or Slavic Studies course at a university outside Croatia. There are no bilateral or nationality restrictions for Pool 2.

What is the deadline for the Croatia Croatian Language Scholarship Pool 2?

The application deadline for both the semester option and the Dubrovnik summer seminar is 10 April 2026, for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Where will I study under the Croatia Croatian Language Scholarship Pool 2?

For the one-semester option, you will study at the University of Zagreb or the University of Rijeka. The summer seminar takes place in Dubrovnik in August 2026.

Does the Croatia Croatian Language Scholarship Pool 2 cover a monthly stipend?

The official call describes the benefit as study at a Croatian higher education institution. For precise details on whether a living allowance is included, contact AMPEU at bilaterala@ampeu.hr before applying.

Do I need to speak Croatian to apply for Pool 2?

No minimum proficiency level is required. The programme is open to learners at different stages, and the immersion itself is designed to develop your language skills. Your professor's recommendation will reflect your current level.

What does my Croatian language professor need to do for my Pool 2 application?

Your professor or Slavic Studies department head must submit a recommendation letter through AMPEU's online application system — not by separate email. The letter confirms that you are enrolled in Croatian language study and endorses your participation in the programme.

Can I apply for Pool 2 if I am studying Slavic Studies but not specifically Croatian?

If your Slavic Studies programme includes Croatian language as a component, you are likely eligible. Contact AMPEU to confirm whether your specific programme qualifies before preparing your application.

Is the summer seminar in Dubrovnik the same as the semester option?

No. The Dubrovnik summer seminar runs for two weeks in August 2026 and focuses intensively on Croatian language and culture. The semester option runs approximately 4–5 months from October 2026 at the University of Zagreb or Rijeka. They have different time commitments and formats, though the application deadline is the same.

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

Pool 1 is for citizens of specific bilateral partner countries and covers a wide range of study and research types at all academic levels. Pool 2 is open to any nationality worldwide but is limited to students currently studying Croatian language or Slavic Studies, and it only covers language and culture immersion programmes.