CEEPUS Scholarships 2027: Study in 16 European Countries with Funding
Students, PhD candidates, and academic staff looking for funded study and research opportunities in Europe can explore the CEEPUS Scholarships 2027. The Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS) supports academic mobility between participating universities across Central Europe and the Western Balkans.
Unlike a traditional degree scholarship, CEEPUS allows eligible participants to remain enrolled or employed at their home institution while spending a specific period at a partner university in another participating country. Depending on the mobility type, participants can take courses, conduct research, work on a thesis, attend summer schools, participate in academic training, or undertake teaching activities.
The program currently involves 16 European countries and provides country-specific financial support to successful participants. Scholarship rates and additional benefits vary depending on the destination country.
CEEPUS Scholarships 2027 – Scholarship Summary
- Program Name: Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS)
- Program Type: Academic Exchange and Mobility Program
- Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
- Eligible Participants: University students, PhD candidates, and academic staff
- Participating Countries: 16 European countries
- Study Areas: Various academic disciplines
- Funding Type: Funded mobility scholarship
- Study Options: Semester study, research, thesis work, summer schools, and academic placements
- Application Method: Online
- Application Platform: CEEPUS online portal
- Application Deadlines: Vary according to mobility type and country
What Is the CEEPUS Scholarship?
CEEPUS is an international academic mobility program that enables students and university staff to spend a period of study, teaching, training, or research at a participating institution in another CEEPUS member country.
The program is particularly useful for students who want international academic experience without leaving their existing degree program. Instead of applying for a completely new degree abroad, participants can complete an approved period of mobility at a host university.
The program operates through university networks as well as individual Freemover applications.
Participating Countries
The CEEPUS program currently includes 16 participating countries:
- Albania
- Austria
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
Through these participating countries, CEEPUS connects higher-education institutions and provides opportunities for academic exchange, research collaboration, and international learning.
Degree Level
CEEPUS opportunities are available for students at different stages of higher education, including:
- Bachelor’s degree students
- Master’s degree students
- PhD candidates
- Academic and teaching staff
The exact mobility options depend on the applicant's academic status, host institution, and selected mobility category.
Available Subjects
CEEPUS is not limited to one specific subject. Students can participate in eligible academic programs and networks covering a wide range of disciplines.
Depending on the participating university and network, opportunities may be available in areas such as:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Business and Economics
- Humanities
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Agriculture
- Environmental Sciences
- Education
- Law
- Arts
- Other academic disciplines
Applicants should search the CEEPUS networks and host universities to find opportunities relevant to their field.
Benefits
What Does the CEEPUS Scholarship Cover?
CEEPUS does not provide one fixed scholarship amount for every participant. Instead, each participating country provides financial support to incoming scholarship holders according to its own national rates and conditions.
Depending on the destination country and mobility category, the scholarship may contribute toward:
- Monthly living expenses
- Accommodation or housing-related costs
- Local transportation or other mobility-related expenses
- Other benefits provided under the host country's CEEPUS arrangements
- Academic and institutional support during the approved mobility
Because financial support varies between countries, applicants should check the official country information for their intended destination before applying.
Types of CEEPUS Mobility
CEEPUS provides several mobility options.
Network Mobility
Network Mobility is available when the applicant's home university or department belongs to an established CEEPUS network.
Applicants normally apply through the relevant network and receive support from their home and host coordinators.
Freemover Mobility
Freemover applications can be suitable for students who do not have access to an appropriate CEEPUS network.
In this case, applicants generally identify a suitable host institution themselves and obtain the necessary acceptance documentation, such as a Letter of Acceptance.
Freemover opportunities depend on available scholarship quotas and the rules of the destination country.
What Can You Do Through CEEPUS?
The program offers several forms of academic mobility, including:
- Semester study abroad
- Short-term research stays
- Thesis preparation
- Laboratory work
- PhD research
- Summer schools
- Intensive courses
- Academic training
- Internships or placements where permitted
- Teaching mobility for academic staff
- Research collaboration
This flexibility makes CEEPUS useful for students who need a shorter international academic experience rather than a complete degree abroad.
How Long Can CEEPUS Mobility Last?
The duration depends on the type of mobility and the host country's rules.
Semester mobility can provide students with the opportunity to spend several months at a partner university. Short-term mobility can be used for activities such as thesis preparation, laboratory research, or academic collaboration.
For example, some mobility categories in Hungary allow semester stays of several months, while summer school opportunities can be considerably shorter.
Applicants should check the specific duration permitted under their selected mobility category.
Eligible Nationalities
CEEPUS is primarily a mobility program for students and academic staff connected with higher-education institutions in participating countries.
However, an applicant's citizenship and current university enrollment can have different implications. International students studying at eligible institutions in CEEPUS member countries may be able to participate under applicable Equal Status provisions.
Students who are studying at a university in a non-member country generally cannot apply simply because they want to study in a CEEPUS destination.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the mobility type and participating country. However, applicants generally need to meet the following conditions:
- Be enrolled as a student at an eligible higher-education institution in a CEEPUS member country, where applicable.
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students may be eligible depending on the mobility category.
- Student applicants generally need to have completed at least two semesters of university study.
- The proposed mobility should have an academic purpose.
- Applicants must meet the requirements of their home and host institutions.
- Freemover applicants must meet the additional requirements for independent host arrangements.
- Academic staff must satisfy the relevant teaching or professional requirements.
- Applicants must provide the required supporting documents.
Citizenship alone does not always determine eligibility. In some cases, students with citizenship outside the CEEPUS region may participate if they are enrolled at an eligible university in a participating country.
For example, an international student studying at an eligible university in Hungary may potentially qualify under the program's Equal Status provisions.
Do You Need IELTS?
There is no universal CEEPUS-wide IELTS requirement.
Language requirements can depend on the host university, academic program, and type of mobility. If the academic activities are conducted in English, the host institution may require evidence of English proficiency.
Applicants should therefore check the language requirements of their selected host university rather than assuming that IELTS is compulsory for every CEEPUS application.
Can CEEPUS Be Used for Thesis or PhD Research?
Yes. CEEPUS can be particularly useful for students who need to conduct research abroad.
Depending on the available network and host institution, participants may use mobility for:
- Master's thesis preparation
- PhD research
- Laboratory work
- Research consultations
- Access to academic facilities
- Collaboration with researchers
- Academic workshops
- Conferences and related activities
Applicants should ensure that their proposed research activity is supported by the host institution and fits the relevant CEEPUS mobility category.
Can You Receive CEEPUS and Erasmus+ at the Same Time?
Applicants should not receive double funding for the same mobility activity, destination, and period.
Students who already receive Erasmus+ funding or another mobility scholarship should check with their university's international office before applying for CEEPUS.
Receiving two different scholarships for unrelated activities may be subject to different rules, but applicants must follow the funding conditions of both programs.
Application Procedure
Required Documents
The required documents depend on the type of application and host country. Applicants may be asked to provide:
- Online CEEPUS application
- Proof of university enrollment
- Academic records or transcripts
- Study or research plan
- Motivation statement
- Letter of Acceptance for relevant Freemover applications
- Recommendation or endorsement from the home institution
- Other documents required by the host university or national CEEPUS office
Applicants should check the official application instructions for their selected mobility category.
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the official CEEPUS online platform.
Follow these steps:
- Check whether your university or department participates in a CEEPUS network.
- Search for a suitable host university or academic network.
- Select the appropriate mobility category.
- Review the requirements of the destination country.
- Prepare your academic and supporting documents.
- Complete the online CEEPUS application.
- Submit the application through the CEEPUS platform.
- Obtain the required approval from your home and host coordinators where applicable.
- Wait for the selection and scholarship decision.
Applicants applying as Freemovers should contact their preferred host institution and obtain the necessary acceptance documentation before completing the application.
CEEPUS Scholarship Deadlines
There is no single deadline that applies identically to every CEEPUS applicant. Deadlines can vary according to the country, semester, and mobility category.
Commonly published deadlines include:
- August 31: First-semester Network Mobility
- December 31: Second-semester Network Mobility
- November 30: Many second-semester Freemover applications
However, national offices can establish different deadlines or conditions for particular mobility categories.
For this reason, applicants should always check the official CEEPUS portal and the national information for their intended destination before submitting an application.
Why Apply for CEEPUS?
CEEPUS can be an attractive option for students and researchers who want international academic experience without enrolling in an entirely new degree program.
Key advantages include:
- Study in another European country while remaining connected to your home university.
- Gain international academic experience.
- Conduct thesis or PhD research abroad.
- Attend summer schools and intensive courses.
- Develop international academic networks.
- Collaborate with researchers and universities across the region.
- Receive financial support during approved mobility.
- Explore different European academic environments.
- Strengthen your academic and professional profile.
Final Words
The CEEPUS Scholarships 2027 provide students, PhD candidates, and academic staff with an opportunity to study, research, teach, and collaborate across 16 European countries.
Rather than requiring participants to pursue a complete degree abroad, CEEPUS supports defined periods of academic mobility. This makes the program particularly useful for students who want to complete part of their studies abroad, conduct thesis research, attend a summer school, or develop international academic connections.
Since scholarship amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines can differ by country and mobility category, applicants should carefully check the official CEEPUS information before submitting their application.
