Last updated: August 2026
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs one of the longest-standing government scholarship programs in Eastern Europe — open to non-EU students at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD level, across nearly every academic field, at accredited Romanian universities. It’s a genuinely useful option if you’re looking at low-cost European study destinations, but it’s also one of the most over-simplified scholarships on the internet: plenty of aggregator sites call it “fully funded” without explaining what that stipend actually buys you month to month.
This guide covers what the scholarship really includes, who qualifies, and — just as importantly — what it doesn’t cover, so you can budget realistically before you apply.
Application Status Right Now
Here’s the current picture as of this writing: the 2026–2027 intake has already closed. Based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ own published schedule, applications for the 2026–2027 academic year opened 16 February 2026 and closed 31 March 2026, with selection results announced around mid-July 2026.
If you’re reading this after that window, don’t worry — this is an annual program, so a new call for the following academic year typically opens in February. Bookmark the official application platform (linked below) and check back, since the exact opening date shifts slightly each year and the Ministry does not always extend deadlines.
Eastern Partnership European School (Tbilisi) Scholarship
What Is the Romania Government Scholarship?
Established under Government Decision no. 288/1993, the scholarship program is run jointly by Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education. Each year, it awards a number of scholarships to non-EU citizens for full-degree study — Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD — at accredited public universities across Romania, including institutions in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara.
Which Fields Are Eligible?
Nearly all academic fields are open, with three specific exclusions:
- Medicine
- Dental Medicine
- Pharmacy
If your intended program falls into one of these three, this particular scholarship isn’t an option — Romania handles funding for those fields differently.
Who Can Apply?
- You must be a non-EU citizen — Romanian citizens and anyone already holding another form of protection status in Romania are not eligible.
- You need a minimum academic average of 7 out of 10 (or a “Good” rating, depending on your country’s grading system) from your most recently completed level of education.
- You must not be a family member of diplomatic staff posted in Romania.
- Your application must be complete, with all required documents submitted through the official platform — incomplete files are a common reason applicants get screened out before academic review even begins.
- PhD applicants need something extra: a written acceptance letter from a doctoral supervisor (tutor) at a Romanian university, secured before applying. This means doctoral candidates need to do supervisor outreach well ahead of the application window — it can’t be arranged after the fact.
What the Scholarship Actually Covers
The official benefits package includes:
- Tuition fee coverage at the accredited university
- Exemption from registration/admission fees
- A monthly stipend, generally in the range of €65 (Bachelor’s) to €75 (Master’s) to €85 (PhD), paid in Romanian lei (RON)
- A one-year Romanian language preparatory course, for students whose program will be taught in Romanian and who don’t already speak the language
- Subsidized dormitory accommodation — but only where space is available, not guaranteed
- Public transport access at the same subsidized rate as Romanian students
The Part Most Listicles Skip: What You’ll Still Pay For
This is where it’s worth being direct, because a lot of scholarship roundup sites label this program “fully funded” without qualification — and that framing sets students up for a nasty budget surprise. Based on the Ministry’s own published terms:
- Round-trip airfare to and from Romania is the applicant’s responsibility. It is not covered.
- Visa application costs are typically the student’s responsibility as well — some older sources describe a visa fee exemption, but the Ministry’s current published guidance for the 2026–2027 cycle lists this as a cost applicants should expect to cover themselves. Confirm the current terms with your Romanian embassy or consulate when you apply, since visa fee policy can vary by applicant’s country.
- Health/medical insurance isn’t automatically bundled the way it is in some other European government scholarships — plan for this separately.
- The monthly stipend is modest. €65–85 a month goes a reasonably long way in a Romanian university city compared to Western Europe, but it will not cover rent, food, and daily expenses on its own if you don’t secure dormitory housing. Budget for meaningful out-of-pocket support from your own funds or family, especially in your first year before you’re settled.
None of this makes the scholarship a bad option — tuition-free study plus a stipend is still a significant saving. It just means “fully funded” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in most marketing copy, and going in with accurate expectations will save you stress later.
How Long Does the Scholarship Last?
- Bachelor’s: 3–6 years, depending on the program (taught in Romanian)
- Master’s: 1–2 years (taught in Romanian)
- PhD: 3–5 years (taught in Romanian, or in another language if your doctoral school and supervisor approve)
Bachelor’s and Master’s programs under this scholarship are taught in Romanian by default — hence the built-in preparatory language year for non-Romanian speakers. PhD students have more flexibility, since doctoral schools can approve study in English, French, or another language depending on the supervisor and institution.
How to Apply
Applications go only through the official Study in Romania scholarship platform — submissions by email, post, or directly to a university or embassy are not accepted.
- Go to studyinromania.gov.ro and use the “Apply for MFA scholarships” button, or go directly to scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro.
- Create an account and complete the online application form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload required documents as separate, clearly scanned PDFs — typically your academic transcripts/diplomas with authorized translations, passport or ID, CV, and (for PhD applicants) your supervisor acceptance letter.
- Review carefully before submitting: you can generally submit only one application, and it usually cannot be edited afterward.
- Watch for a confirmation email, then wait for results — announced roughly in mid-July for applications submitted in the standard February–March window.
Selected candidates then handle additional formalities, including visa arrangements, before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship really fully funded? Partially. It fully covers tuition and registration fees and includes a monthly stipend and a possible dormitory subsidy, but airfare, visa costs, and health insurance typically fall to the student. Treat it as a major cost reduction rather than a zero-cost path.
Do I need to already speak Romanian? No. If your Bachelor’s or Master’s program is taught in Romanian and you don’t yet speak the language, the scholarship includes a free one-year preparatory language course before your degree program begins.
Can I study in English instead? Generally not at Bachelor’s or Master’s level under this specific scholarship — those are taught in Romanian. PhD study may be possible in English or French if your doctoral school and supervisor agree to it.
What GPA do I need? A minimum average of 7 out of 10 (or “Good,” depending on your country’s system) from your most recently completed level of education.
How competitive is it? Selection is based on academic performance and a complete, accurate application — the Ministry doesn’t publish detailed acceptance rates, but incomplete applications are a common and avoidable reason candidates are screened out early, so document preparation matters as much as grades.
This guide is based on publicly available information from Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Study in Romania platform. Deadlines, stipend amounts, and fee policies can change between cycles — always confirm current terms at scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro before applying.
