Free State of Bavaria Scholarships 2026–2027

If You're a Graduate from Central, Eastern, or Southeastern Europe—The Free State of Bavaria Scholarship 2026–2027 Is Open Now!

Are you a recent graduate or doctoral candidate from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, or Ukraine? The Free State of Bavaria, through BAYHOST, is offering one-year scholarship to support your postgraduate or PhD studies—or even a research stay—in Bavaria. Whether you're seeking a Master’s, PhD, or a short-term academic experience, this program could elevate your academic and professional journey.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Bavaria, Germany

• Host Institution: Higher education institutions in Bavaria (universities and universities of applied sciences) via BAYHOST (Bavarian Academic Center for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe)

• Study Level: Master’s programs, PhD, or one-year research stays (if part of a home-country PhD)

• Target Group: Graduates from specified Central, Eastern, and Southeastern European countries

• Fields of Focus: All disciplines at Bavarian institutions, as long as the program is postgraduate or PhD level

• Value & Coverage:

  • Monthly stipend: €992 (€11,904 annually)

  • Family allowance: €160/month (for scholars with at least one child; totals €13,824/year)

• Duration: Initially one year, extendable twice, up to three years total 

• Application Deadline: 1 December 2025 for new applicants; extension applications due by 28 February 2026 

• Start Date: 1 October 2026 (academic year 2026/27)

• Eligible To: Citizens of the aforementioned countries, with permanent residence in their home country at the time of application

📚 Scholarship Overview

This fully funded opportunity promotes academic exchange and cooperation between Bavaria and your region through:

• Study Opportunities: Join Master’s programs or PhD tracks at Bavarian universities, or complete part of your PhD through a one-year research stay in Bavaria

• Research Engagement: Ideal for deepening your academic portfolio, conducting focused research, and building international networks

• Flexible Duration: While initial funding is for one year, you can apply for extensions to complete a full degree or continued research in Bavaria

🎁 Program Benefits

• Generous Funding: €992/month stipend (with additional €160/month family allowance, if applicable), for up to 3 years

• Full Coverage: Financial support focuses on living costs—no tuition or fees are mentioned, so your focus can stay on academics

• Tailored for Emerging Scholars: Great support structure for fresh graduates or early-stage PhD candidates eager to establish academic ties with Bavaria

• Cultural & Academic Enrichment: Immerse yourself in Bavaria's esteemed research environment and vibrant academic communities

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you must meet the following:

• Hold citizenship from one of these countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, or Ukraine 

• Have permanent residence in your home country at application time

• Age limits (by 1 October 2026):

  • Under 30 for Master’s applicants

  • Under 35 for PhD applicants (exceptions possible)

• No other funding for the same study/research stay in Bavaria

• Proficient in German and/or English, generally at C1 level 

• Demonstrate above-average academic performance 

• Must be enrolled at a Bavarian institution during the scholarship period (enrollment can come after application)

🔍 Selection Criteria

Your application will be evaluated on:

• Academic excellence (grades, honors, publications)

• Relevance of the program to your academic and career objectives

• For PhD or research stays: quality of project description and its scholarly significance

• Language proficiency (German, English), and possibly others

• Practical and international experience

• Volunteering and extracurricular engagement

• For PhDs/research stays: confirmation of supervision by a Bavarian professor; and for research stays, a recommendation from your home institution’s PhD supervisor

📝 Application Procedure

• Apply online via StipSys portal—upload PDFs (max 5 MB each)

• Required documents:

  • Motivation letter (1–2 pages)

  • Language certificate (German/English)

  • Degree certificate and transcript (with translation if needed)

  • Proof of citizenship

  • Curriculum vitae (in German or English)

  • Optional: documents for volunteer work, internships, publications

  • PhD applicants or research stays: detailed project description, research timeline, letter of endorsement from Bavarian supervisor; plus home supervisor letter for research stays

  • Additional documentation for age or family allowance exceptions if applicable

• First-time applicants deadline: 1 December 2025

• Extension applicants deadline: 28 February 2026

• Note: Late or incomplete applications are not accepted—only the final submitted application counts

📨

Contact Information

• For Czech applicants:

  Ms. Dagmar Heeg — sekretariat@btha.de — +49 941 943 5315

• For other eligible countries:

  Ms. Katrin Döppe — doeppe@bayhost.de — +49 941 943 5049

Apply Now

🔗 Official Link

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