The ROMANIAN Government Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international students from non‑EU countries to study Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs at accredited universities in Romania, with tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend covered. It is one of the most attractive government scholarships in Europe for 2026–2027, particularly for students seeking a low-cost, high-quality study destination without requiring an IELTS in many cases.
Basic information about the Romanian Government Scholarship 2026
The Romania Government Scholarship 2026 is offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Education for the 2026–2027 academic year. It targets talented students from non-EU countries who wish to pursue full-time studies in Romania in various academic fields.
- Host country: Romania (capital: Bucharest).
- Offered annually to non-EU citizens
- Based on Government Decision no. 288/1993
- Scholarships awarded through competition (file evaluation)
- Managed by:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Education and Research
- Degree levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD.
- Funding type: Fully funded (tuition, housing, stipend, and more).
- Academic year: 2026–2027.
- Application mode: Online via the official Study in Romania scholarship portal.
Application window and deadline
- Applications open: February 16, 2026 (on some platforms).
- Deadline: 31 March 2026.
- Results announcement: Around June 30, 2026 (based on previous cycles).
- Start of academic year: October 1, 2026.
University and institution details
The Romania Government Scholarship does not limit you to a single university; instead, it places selected candidates at accredited public universities across Romania. The program is managed centrally by:
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Romania.
- The Ministry of Education in collaboration with Romanian universities.
Host institutions include a wide range of Romanian public universities, such as:
- Comprehensive universities in large cities (e.g., Bucharest, Cluj‑Napoca, Iași, Timișoara) offering diverse programs.
- Specialized technical and economic universities for engineering, IT, and business.
Students are placed in Romanian‑taught programs by default, with a preparatory language year when needed. Many universities also offer English‑taught programs, but for this scholarship, Romanian language study is strongly emphasized.
Study areas and available programs
The ROMANIA Government Scholarship 2026 covers most academic fields, but there are important exclusions.
Available study areas (examples):
- Engineering and technology (IT, computer science, civil, electrical, mechanical).
- Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology).
- Social sciences (international relations, political science, sociology, public administration).
- Economics and business (finance, management, marketing, accounting).
- Humanities (history, philosophy, languages, literature).
- Arts and architecture (fine arts, design, architecture).
Fields NOT Covered
- Medicine
- Dental Medicine
- Pharmacy
Study Levels Covered
Bachelor’s Degree
- Duration: 3–6 years
- For high school graduates
Master’s Degree
- Duration: 1–2 years
- For bachelor’s graduates
PhD
- Duration: 4 years
- Must obtain:
- Written agreement from doctoral tutor
- Pass admission interview
- Can study in English or other foreign language (if offered)
ROMANIAN Government Scholarship benefits
The Romanian Government Scholarship 2026 is classified as fully funded for international students from non‑EU countries.
Main financial benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage: No tuition charges for the entire duration of the program.
- Accommodation: Free or subsidized housing in university dormitories, subject to institutional availability.
- Monthly stipend: A monthly allowance to support living expenses; exact amounts may vary by level, and some sources list up to around 80 EUR or more for certain schemes.
- Registration/application fee waiver: Exemption from application or registration fees at Romanian universities where applicable.
- Romanian language preparatory course: One year of free Romanian language training for those who will study in Romanian.
- Medical assistance: Access to basic medical services in accordance with Romanian legislation.
- Local transport discounts: Reduced fares or passes for local public transportation, particularly for students.
These benefits make the program highly competitive compared with many other European government scholarships.
Benefits not included
Even though the scholarship is fully funded, there are some costs that are not normally covered and that students must plan for.
Common non‑covered or partially covered items:
- International airfare: The scholarship usually does not cover flight tickets from your home country to Romania and back.
- Visa fees and legalization costs: Costs for student visa, document legalization, and translations are generally your responsibility.
- Personal expenses: Items like clothing, personal electronics, leisure, and travel inside Europe are not funded.
- Exceeding dormitory costs: If you choose private housing or exceed dorm capacity/limits, you may pay extra.
Eligibility criteria for the Romanian Government Scholarship 2026
Eligibility is strict and clearly defined for this fully funded Romanian Government Scholarship.
Core eligibility criteria:
- Be a non-EU citizen
- Submit a complete application file
- Have a minimum average grade of 7/10 (or “Good” equivalent)
- Hold diplomas from accredited institutions
- Meet the application deadline
- Follow the official application process
- Not eligible if you are:
- Romanian origin / Romanian historical communities
- Beneficiary of protection in Romania
- Diplomatic/consular staff or their family members
- Staff of international organizations in Romania
- Already receiving Romanian state scholarship for the same study level
- Language of Study
- Bachelor & Master: Romanian only
- PhD: Romanian or foreign language (depending on doctoral school)
- Non-Romanian speakers receive a 1-year preparatory Romanian language course
- Exempt from preparatory year if:
- Previously studied at least 3 years in Romanian
- Pass Romanian language test
- Hold Romanian language certificate (minimum B1)
Student Obligations
- Respect Romanian laws & university regulations
- Maintain required attendance & academic credits (ECTS)
- Submit medical certificate (fit for study, no contagious disease)
- Apply and pay for student visa
- Follow study contract rules
Required documents for the application
To submit a strong application for the Romanian Government Scholarship 2026, you must prepare and upload a complete set of documents.
- Upload scanned PDFs of:
- Diplomas + authorized translations
- Academic transcripts + translations
- Birth certificate + translation
- First 3 pages of passport
- CV (English/French/Romanian)
- Additional for PhD:
- Letter of intent (research proposal)
- List of scientific works
- Tutor agreement letter
- If applicable:
- Name change proof
- Graduation certificate (if diploma not yet issued)
- Romanian language certificate
- Parental consent (if under 18)
- All documents must be:
- Apostilled or officially authenticated
- Uploaded individually in PDF format
- GDPR declaration signed
ROMANIAN Government Scholarship application process (step‑by‑step guide)
Here is a clear step‑by‑step guide on how to apply for the ROMANIA Government Scholarship 2026.
- Check eligibility
- Confirm you are from a non‑EU country, meet the age limit, and have the required previous degree and minimum grade (7 or “Good”).
- Research programs and universities
- Visit the Study in Romania platform and explore Romanian universities and programs available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD.
- Prepare documents
- Gather passports, diplomas, transcripts, birth certificates, CV, and motivation letter, and get them translated and legalized if needed.
- Create an online account
- Go to the official MFA scholarship portal at scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro and create an account.
- Fill out the online application form
- Complete all required sections: personal data, academic background, preferred study cycle and field, and chosen universities.
- Upload all required documents
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format (PDF/JPEG) and verify they are clear and complete.
- Submit your application
- Double‑check all information and documents, then submit your application online before 31 March 2026.
Scholarship Can Be Lost If:
- Poor attendance
- Not earning required credits
- Expulsion
- Changing study field
- Violating university rules
- Voluntary withdrawal
Tips for a successful application
To stand out in a highly competitive fully funded scholarship like the Romanian Government Scholarship 2026, you need more than minimum eligibility.
Actionable tips:
- Start early: Begin preparing documents and researching programs weeks before the portal opens to avoid last‑minute errors.
- Focus on academic excellence: Highlight strong grades, academic awards, and relevant coursework since a minimum average of 7 or “Good” is required.
- Write a compelling motivation letter: Clearly explain why you chose Romania, your study field, your future plans, and how you will contribute to your community.
- Align with Romania’s strengths: Choose disciplines where Romanian universities have recognized strengths (engineering, IT, economics, arts, etc.).
- Ensure complete documentation: Incomplete applications are often rejected automatically; double‑check each document and translation.
- Respect all guidelines and deadlines: Follow the online instructions carefully and submit before the official deadline of 31 March 2026.
Using keywords like “how to win the Romania Government Scholarship 2026” and “tips to get Romanian Government fully funded scholarship” will bring in highly motivated applicants.
Monthly living expenses for international students in Romania (USD)
One of the main advantages of studying in Romania on a government scholarship is the relatively low cost of living compared with Western Europe, especially when you already receive a monthly stipend and free or subsidized dormitory housing.
Approximate monthly living expenses in Romania (converted to USD):
- Student dormitory accommodation: 100–200 USD (often heavily subsidized or already covered).
- Food and groceries: 150–250 USD, depending on lifestyle and city.
- Local transport: 15–30 USD with student discounts or passes.
- Utilities and phone/internet: 20–40 USD.
- Personal expenses and leisure: 80–150 USD.
Total estimated monthly budget: roughly 365–670 USD, with the lower end realistically achievable for students in dormitories who cook at home. Because the scholarship already covers tuition, accommodation, and offers a stipend, your out‑of‑pocket expenses can remain relatively low compared with many other EU destinations.
Why choose the Romanian Government Scholarship 2026?
- 1. You have a solid university degree recognised all around Europe and beyond. Romanian Higher Education is known for its rich academic heritage.
- 2. World’s fastest Internet – Ranked 3rd place in the world, Romania has ultra fast internet connectivity.
- 3. Study in English, French, German, Romanian or Hungarian. Romania has a wide choice of university programs.
- 4. Low tuition fees and living expenses – While maintaining our academic standards, we have some of the lowest tuition and living costs in the European Union.
- 5. Cultural life – Bucharest offers more than 40 museums and Romania has the second-largest outdoor museum in the world, Astra Museum in Sibiu.
- 6. Work opportunities and quality of life – There are a number of possibilities to work as a student: you can apply directly to vacant positions published online.
- 7. A great place to travel – The home of seven UNESCO world heritage sites, Romania is a country of many facets.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for the Romanian Government Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to international students from non‑EU countries who meet the academic, age, and health requirements and who have not previously benefited from a Romanian state scholarship at the same level.
2. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply?
The central scholarship announcement does not always require IELTS/TOEFL, but some universities and programs may ask for proof of language proficiency, particularly for English‑taught courses. In many cases, you will study in Romanian after a language preparatory year, which reduces reliance on English tests.
3. Can I study medicine or dentistry with this scholarship?
No. Most calls for the Romania Government Scholarship explicitly exclude Medicine and Dental Medicine fields from the list of funded programs.
4. How long does the scholarship last?
The duration corresponds to your study cycle: usually 3–6 years for Bachelor’s, 1.5–2 years for Master’s, and 3–4 years for doctoral studies, depending on the program and university.
5. Where and how do I apply?
You must apply through the official Study in Romania scholarship portal at scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro, create an account, fill out the online form, upload all documents, and submit before the deadline.
Application Timeline (2026)
- Applications open: 16 February 2026
- Deadline: 31 March 2026
- Results announced: Around 15 July 2026
- Academic year starts: Usually 1 October
