The Croatian Government Scholarship, officially called the Bilateral Scholarships of the Republic of Croatia, is one of the less talked-about government schemes in Europe. It is run by Croatia's Ministry of Science, Education and Youth together with the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes, and it funds international students, researchers and academics to spend time at Croatian public universities and research institutes. You can read the full scholarship details on our scholarship page.
For Pakistani students, this scheme needs a careful read before you get excited. The main track is tied to countries that have a bilateral education agreement with Croatia, and Pakistan is not on the list of countries named for that track. There is a second route, though, and for a small group of students it is a real opening. This guide explains both and helps you decide whether it is worth your time.
The Croatian bilateral scholarship in brief
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Listed as partial funding; coverage depends on the award type |
| Levels | Language course, Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, postdoctoral |
| Fields | All fields offered at accredited Croatian public institutions |
| Deadline | April 10 (annual) |
| Country | Croatia |
| Provider | Ministry of Science, Education and Youth / Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes |
| Official site | mzom.gov.hr |
Two pools, and why Pakistani applicants should start with Pool 2
The programme takes applications through two separate pools, and which one you fall into decides almost everything else.
Pool 1 is for citizens of countries that have a valid bilateral education cooperation agreement or programme with Croatia. The countries named include Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Turkiye, Ukraine, and specific regions of Belgium and Germany. Pool 1 applicants also need a nomination from their home-country ministry or a partner institution. You cannot simply apply on your own.
Pool 2 is broader. It is open to any international student who is currently studying the Croatian language at a university abroad, whether or not their country has a bilateral agreement with Croatia. The catch is that you need a recommendation letter from your Croatian language instructor.
So here is the honest picture. Pakistan does not appear in the Pool 1 list, which means most Pakistani students will not qualify for the main bilateral track in a typical cycle. Agreement lists can change from year to year, so it is sensible to confirm the current partner list directly with the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes before ruling yourself out. If Pakistan is not a partner in your cycle, Pool 2 is the only realistic route, and it only works if you are already enrolled in Croatian language studies at a university outside Croatia.
That is a narrow group. If you are a Pakistani student studying in, say, a European university that teaches Croatian, and you are actually taking those classes, this scheme could suit you well. If you have never studied Croatian, this is probably not the scholarship to build your plans around.
Award types: from a summer seminar in Dubrovnik to a full PhD
One thing that sets this scheme apart is how many different awards sit under one call. The options are:
- a one-semester Croatian language course
- partial Bachelor's or Master's study periods of 4 to 10 months
- a full Bachelor's degree (36-48 months)
- a full Master's degree (12-24 months)
- a full PhD programme (36 months)
- partial PhD research stays
- postdoctoral research placements and short postdoctoral visits
- a two-week summer language seminar in Dubrovnik
Fields are open. You can pursue any subject offered at an accredited Croatian public higher education or research institution. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you need to know exactly which award type you are applying for, because the funding attached to each one is different.
What the money covers, and where it stops
The scholarship is listed as partial funding, but the coverage really depends on the award. Depending on the award type, you may receive:
- full or partial tuition coverage
- a monthly stipend for the length of your study or research period
- subsidised student housing and meal privileges at partner institutions
Some award types cover full tuition and living costs. Others, especially the partial study periods, give you a stipend without full tuition coverage. Do not assume your award covers everything. Read the terms of the specific award type in the official call and work out what you would still need to pay yourself, including travel and any costs the stipend does not stretch to.
Croatia is an EU and Schengen-area member with a lower cost of living than much of Western Europe, and several public universities run English-taught programmes. That helps a stipend go further. Still, if you are applying for a partial award, have a realistic plan for the gap. If you need help showing funds for a visa, our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers what Pakistani applicants usually prepare.
The eligibility rules beyond your passport
Aside from the pool rules above, there are two more conditions to meet:
- You must meet the academic admission requirements of the Croatian institution and programme level you choose.
- Your mobility must take place within the designated academic year window, which runs October to September and excludes July and August, except for summer language programmes.
The second point matters for planning. If you are hoping for a short summer research visit, that will not fit unless it is the summer language seminar.
The paperwork you will put together
The document list is short compared to many government scholarships, but each item needs care:
- A completed online application through the Agency's application portal
- A copy of a valid passport
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- A motivation letter
- A nomination letter (Pool 1) or a recommendation from your Croatian language instructor (Pool 2)
- Proof of current enrollment, for partial study or research stays
Pakistani applicants should get transcripts and degrees in order early, since attestation can take weeks. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains the process. Requirements for attested copies are not spelled out for this scheme, so check with the Agency if you are unsure what format they accept.
Applying through the Agency's portal
The application process itself is straightforward once you know your pool:
- Confirm which pool you are eligible for: Pool 1 (bilateral agreement countries) or Pool 2 (Croatian language students).
- If you are in Pool 1, get a nomination from your country's relevant ministry or partner institution.
- Register and submit your application through the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes' online application system.
- Upload all required documents before the April 10 deadline.
- Wait for results, which come out ahead of the October start of the academic year.
The application system is reached through the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes website. The Ministry also publishes the call itself: see the Ministry's call for applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Working back from the April 10 deadline
The cycle runs roughly like this:
- February (approximate): the call for applications opens
- April 10: application deadline
- Summer: results announced
- October: the academic year starts
The February opening is approximate, so watch the official sites from early in the year. The deadline is annual, but always confirm the exact date in the current call before you plan around it. If you depend on a recommendation letter from a language instructor, ask for it well before the call opens. Instructors are busy near semester ends, and a late letter can sink an otherwise good application.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common mistake is applying without checking which pool you belong to. A Pakistani student who is not studying Croatian and whose country is not a partner simply has no route in, and no motivation letter will fix that. Before writing anything, email the Agency at bilaterala@ampeu.hr and confirm your eligibility. It costs nothing and can save you weeks.
The second mistake is a generic motivation letter. The advice from the programme itself is to connect your study or research goals clearly to a specific Croatian institution. Name the university or institute, say what you will do there, and explain why it has to be Croatia. A letter that could be sent to any country reads weakly.
Third, people assume "government scholarship" means fully funded. Here it depends on the award type, as explained above. Go in with clear numbers.
Finally, Pool 1 applicants sometimes leave nomination too late. Nominations go through home-country ministries and can take time to process, so starting early is the safest approach. For a wider checklist of what to prepare, see our documents checklist for international scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Croatian Government Scholarship?
Pakistan is not among the countries named for Pool 1, the bilateral agreement track. Pakistani students can apply through Pool 2 if they are studying the Croatian language at a university abroad and have a recommendation from their instructor. Partner lists change, so check current status with the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes.
Is the Croatian Government Scholarship fully funded?
It varies by award type. Some awards cover full tuition and living costs, while others, such as partial study periods, provide a stipend without full tuition coverage. Check the terms of the specific award you are applying for.
When is the deadline?
The annual deadline is April 10, for mobility during the following academic year (October to September). Confirm the exact date in the current call on the official portal.
Do I need to speak Croatian?
For Pool 2, yes in practice, since the route is for students currently studying the Croatian language at a university abroad. Several Croatian public universities offer English-taught programmes, but admission requirements depend on the institution and programme you choose.
What subjects can I study?
Any field offered at an accredited Croatian public higher education or research institution.
Can I do a full degree, or only a short stay?
Both exist. Award types range from a one-semester language course and partial study periods of 4 to 10 months up to full Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes, plus postdoctoral placements.
Before applying, read the current call on the Ministry's official website and check the full scholarship page for a summary of requirements and links.