The Czech Government Scholarship for Developing Countries is a fully funded award from the Government of the Czech Republic for students from a short, named list of developing countries. It pays for follow-up Master's or doctoral study at Czech public universities, and some students also get a one-year Czech language course first. You can read the full scholarship details on our site, but the first thing a Pakistani student should know is blunt: Pakistan is not on the current list of eligible countries.
That does not make this guide useless for you. Country lists for government scholarships are set by policy, and the official guidelines are the place to check each year. If you hold a second nationality, or you are helping a friend from one of the listed countries, the rest of this article explains how the scheme works and where applicants slip up.
The scheme in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study level | Follow-up Master's and doctoral (PhD) |
| Host country | Czech Republic, public higher education institutions |
| Application window | 21 August 2026 to 30 September 2026 |
| Studies begin | 2027/2028 academic year |
| Provider | Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic |
| Official site | msmt.cz government scholarships page |
A development programme, not a merit contest for everyone
This scholarship sits inside the Czech Republic's Foreign Development Cooperation. It is run jointly by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Ministry of Health involved in implementation. The current rules come from Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 870 of 27 November 2024.
The programme is old. Czech universities have hosted government scholarship students since the late 1950s, and more than 20,000 foreign nationals have finished their studies this way. That history matters for one reason: the scheme is built around the Czech government's partner countries, so who can apply depends on diplomatic and development priorities as much as on your grades.
Two tracks, split by language of instruction
The scholarship has two routes, and they are open to different groups.
The Czech-language track
Students on this track start with a one-year preparatory Czech language course at the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies, Charles University. After that they move into a follow-up Master's programme in a selected area, taught in Czech. This track is only for applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus.
The English-language track
This route covers selected follow-up Master's programmes and selected doctoral programmes taught in English. It is open to applicants from all eligible countries. For most applicants outside Eastern Europe, this is the realistic option.
Note the word "selected" in both tracks. You cannot pick any course at any Czech university. The programmes are chosen in advance, so check the current list in the official guidelines before you build your plans around a specific subject.
What "fully funded" covers here
The scholarship covers the standard length of full-time study. Tuition at the Czech public higher education institution is covered, and Czech-medium students also get the one-year language course included.
The information available to us does not spell out a monthly stipend amount, accommodation terms or travel costs. Do not assume any of these. Read the binding Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic on the official ministry website to see exactly what is paid and for how long. If a figure matters to your budget, get it from that document, not from a forum post.
Eligibility, and where Pakistan stands
The scholarship is limited to citizens of these countries:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Ukraine
- Belarus (listed as Belarus democratic forces)
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Mauritania
- Zambia
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Palestine
- Guatemala
- Honduras
Pakistan is not named. Bangladesh is the only South Asian country on the list. If you are a Pakistani citizen only, you should not plan an application around this scholarship unless the official guidelines for a future round add Pakistan. Check eligibility for your nationality each year rather than relying on old lists.
The other conditions are straightforward:
- You cannot be a Czech citizen, an EU citizen, or a permanent resident of the Czech Republic.
- For a follow-up Master's, you need a completed bachelor's degree.
- For a doctoral programme, you need a completed master's degree.
- You must complete a motivation letter and the mandatory tests as part of the application.
- English-medium applicants must sit an online entrance English language test during submission.
Dual nationals should read the rules closely. If one of your passports is from a listed country, you may qualify through it, but the EU citizenship exclusion would rule you out if your second passport is from an EU state.
A short document list with a big test attached
On paper, the document load is light. Two items are required:
- The electronic application form
- A motivation letter
The weight of the application is in the tests. Everyone has to complete a general study prerequisites test, and English-medium applicants also take an online English entrance test. These happen during application submission, so you cannot leave them for later.
Even with a short official list, keep your degree certificates and transcripts ready in case a university or the selection process asks for them. Our international scholarship documents checklist is a useful starting point for getting papers in order early.
How the application runs
- Register and open the electronic application form on the official portal. The window runs from 21 August 2026 to 30 September 2026.
- Fill in the form and write your motivation letter. Submit everything by 30 September 2026.
- Complete the general study prerequisites test, plus the English test if you are applying for English-medium study, during submission.
- Wait for evaluation and selection results. Successful applicants start in the 2027/2028 academic year.
The gap between the deadline and the start of studies is long. A round that closes in September 2026 leads to studies in 2027/2028. Plan your finances and other applications with that delay in mind.
Why the six-week window catches people out
The portal opens on 21 August and closes on 30 September. That is roughly six weeks, and it includes online tests you have to sit as part of submission. Applicants who only start reading the guidelines when the portal opens often run out of time.
Use the months before August to read the binding guidelines, shortlist the selected programmes in your field, draft your motivation letter and practise for an English test. When the portal opens, you should be filling in a form, not starting from zero. Confirm the exact dates for your round on the official portal, since each year's call sets its own timetable.
Mistakes that sink applications
The most common mistake is not checking the country list. People see "developing countries" in the title and assume their country counts. It only counts if it is named.
The second is treating the motivation letter as a formality. With only two documents, the letter is one of the few places a selection panel learns why you want a specific Czech programme and how it connects to your home country's development. Write it for this scheme, not as a recycled statement from another application.
Third, applicants underestimate the tests. The general study prerequisites test is mandatory, and Czech-language track applicants must pass it successfully. English-medium applicants have an extra test on top. Prepare for both instead of hoping your degree speaks for you.
Finally, people leave technical questions too late. If something in the portal does not work or a rule is unclear, write to the registration support address, registr@dzs.cz, well before the deadline.
For Pakistani students who are not eligible, a better use of time is a scholarship that names Pakistan or is open to all nationalities. Our all Czech Republic scholarships guide and the scholarships guide for Pakistani students are good places to look.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Czech Government Scholarship for Developing Countries?
Not on the current list. The eligible countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus democratic forces, Ethiopia, Gabon, Mauritania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Guatemala and Honduras. Check the official guidelines each year in case the list changes.
Can I study in English, or do I have to learn Czech?
Both routes exist. The English-language track covers selected follow-up Master's and doctoral programmes and is open to all eligible countries. The Czech-language track includes a one-year language course at Charles University and is only for applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Is there a bachelor's option?
No. The scholarship covers follow-up Master's programmes, which need a completed bachelor's degree, and doctoral programmes, which need a completed master's degree.
What tests will I take?
All applicants complete a general study prerequisites test. English-medium applicants also take an online entrance English language test. Both are done during application submission.
Does the scholarship include a monthly allowance?
It is described as fully funded and covers tuition and the standard length of full-time study. Stipend details should be confirmed in the binding guidelines on the official website.
When do successful applicants start?
The round with a 30 September 2026 deadline leads to studies in the 2027/2028 academic year.
Before you do anything else, read the current guidelines on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports website, and keep the full scholarship page handy for a quick summary.