The Erasmus+ program continues in the 2021-2027 program period with some new elements – now even first-year students can participate in the program, the minimum period of stay abroad is reduced to two months, short-term combined mobility and combined intensive programs are possible, doctoral students can use the possibility of short-term trips. The increased budget enables the involvement of a larger number of participants and a wider range of organizations.

In the program period 2021-2027, within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, emphasis is placed on:

• Accessibility – emphasis on greater openness of the program, greater support for participants with limited opportunities (inclusion) and involvement of a wider range of organizations (mobility within and outside the EU)
• Simplicity – simplification of the application submission process, digitization of administration, accreditation and the possibility of simpler creation of partnerships
• Ecology – financial support for an ecological mode of transport.

OTHER Foreign cooperation programs / scholarships

DZS/AIA – Scholarships based on international agreements

The Czech Republic has concluded bilateral agreements with almost 30 countries around the world through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, in which the partners undertake to deepen and develop mutual cooperation in the field of education and science. One of the tools of mutual cooperation is also the support of the exchange of students and scientists. For this purpose, the countries offer the partner party a set number of scholarship places each year.

Interested parties from public universities can take advantage of: study stays for students of bachelor's, master's and doctoral study programs, summer language courses and research and lecture stays for university teachers. Submission of applications, selection procedure and submission and approval of nominations always takes place in the previous academic year before the planned implementation of the stay. It is possible to travel repeatedly. Applications are submitted through the portal of the Academic Information Agency Study in Czechia.

CEEPUS

CEEPUS is a Central European university exchange program focused on regional cooperation within university networks. A scholarship in the program can be obtained within a university network, which consists of at least three universities from different contracting states. Universities participating in the program cooperate to solve professional issues within the network. It is also possible to apply for the program as a so-called "freemover" if the applicant's home school is not involved in a suitable network (FAMU is not involved in any network at the moment).

The CEEPUS agreement was signed by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia. The universities of Pristina, Prizren and Peja in Kosovo also cooperate. The program is intended for students of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs and academic staff of public universities.

Both short-term projects and long-term activities with continuity are supported. Students can apply for scholarships for semester (3-10 months) and short-term (1-2 months) study stays, summer schools (min. 6 days) and professional excursions (3-5 days). Academic staff can apply for teaching stays (min. 5 working days), summer schools and professional excursions, coordination meetings.

More information is available on the website of the national CEEPUS office at the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research and on the CEEPUS website.

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS

The prestigious Fulbright scholarship programs, funded by the Czech and American governments, provide Czech citizens with the opportunity to study, conduct research, or teach in the United States. Individuals apply for scholarships directly to the Fulbright Commission, and scholarship recipients are selected through an open competition. Scholarships usually cover living expenses, a return airfare, and health insurance, as well as some other expenses (tuition or part thereof, purchase of books, etc.).

The basic requirements for applying for a scholarship in any of the programs are Czech citizenship, permanent residence in the Czech Republic, and very good knowledge of English.

VISEGRAD FUND

The International Visegrad Fund is an international donor organization established in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – to support regional cooperation within the Visegrad region (V4) as well as between the V4 region and other countries, the Western Balkans region and the Eastern Partnership.

Selected Visegrad Fund scholarship programs:

• Visegrad Scholarship Programme – Master's and doctoral students and researchers who are citizens of the V4 countries can apply for a scholarship to study at an accredited university/institution within the V4 and in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine. The application deadline is annually on 15 March, 12:00.
• Visual and Sound Arts Residency – Visual and Sound Arts Residency facilitates mobility and artistic exchanges of V4 citizens in the field of visual and sound arts, including design, music, video and film, new media and mixed media. The deadline for submitting applications is annually on October 15th. The system opens 1 month before the deadline.
• Performing Arts Residency – Mobilities in the field of artistic works support innovation, experimentation and creativity in the performing arts – new drama, contemporary dance, new circus, theatre, visual theatre, alternative theatre, etc. The program is not suitable for brick-and-mortar theatres, already established performances or theatre festivals. The deadline for submitting an application is annualy on October 15th. The system opens 1 month before the deadline.

AKTION – AUSTRIA

AKTION Czech Republic – Austria is a program to support bilateral cooperation in education and science in the tertiary sector in all scientific fields. Interested parties can apply for AKTION scholarships for study or research stays in Austria at Austrian state universities, universities of applied sciences, teacher training colleges and accredited private universities. It is possible to apply for a scholarship for a semester stay, short-term mobility, summer schools or to receive a contribution for long-term and short-term institutional cooperation between higher education institutions in the field of teaching, research, organization of lectures, excursions, publishing publications, etc. Applications can be submitted in German and English.

DAAD – GERMANY

DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service provides individual support to Czech students and researchers through scholarship programs. Around 150 scholarships are awarded to applicants from the Czech Republic every year. DAAD offers, among other things, scholarship programs for students in the arts: music, performing arts and design/visual communication and film. The offer also includes programs for post-doctoral students and university teachers (including those with an artistic focus) and joint project programs (institutional cooperation). DAAD also supports study trips to Germany.

For more information, please contact the Academic Information Agency and DAAD Czech Republic.

Barrande Fellowship Programme – France

The French government's "Barrande Fellowship Program" allows students enrolled at Czech universities to receive a scholarship: for doctoral studies under dual supervision (so-called cotutelle) or for an internship lasting 1 to 3 months, which must be carried out at a university or research center. The internship must meet a specific need of the candidate to stay in France: the need to become familiar with a specific research facility or technique, to work with materials and documents that are not available in the Czech Republic, to work on a study related to France, or to participate in special training in France.

More information is available on the website of the Czech National Agency for International Cooperation and Research and the website of the French Institute in Prague.

EHP FUNDS – ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY

The main objective of the Education Programme, which is implemented within the framework of the EEA Funds, is to increase the level of human capital and the educational base in the Czech Republic. The programme also fulfils other objectives – reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area and strengthening cooperation with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The programme offers four activities: institutional cooperation projects, student and teacher mobility projects, vocational education projects and projects supporting inclusive education.

At least one partner organisation from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway must be involved in the project – typically a school, but it can also be a private company, research centre, health centre, non-profit organisation, cultural institution, etc.

More detailed information is available on the website of the Czech National Agency for International Cooperation and Research and on the official website of the funds.

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