Schengen scholarships do not exist as a single programme, and that is the first thing most websites get wrong. The Schengen Area is a border and visa zone of 29 European countries, not a funder, so “Schengen scholarships” really means the scholarships offered by governments, universities and the EU for study in those countries. Each one has its own deadline, country list and application, and none of them includes a free Schengen visa. This guide to Schengen scholarships for the 2027 intake explains what the term means, lists the 29 countries, compares 12 funded routes with verified dates, and shows which visa you actually need.
Quick answer: Schengen scholarships are national, EU and university awards for study in any of the 29 Schengen countries. Apply to each scheme separately. For a degree you need your host country’s national long-stay (type D) visa, not a short-stay Schengen visa. The nearest deadlines are 30 November 2026 (ETH Zurich and the Swiss Government call), 1 December 2026 (Wageningen) and mid-January 2027 (Sweden and Hungary).
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What Are Schengen Scholarships? The Term Explained
The Schengen Agreement removed border checks between participating countries and created a common short-stay visa policy. It has nothing to do with funding. When students search for Schengen scholarships they usually want one of three things:
- Scholarships in Schengen countries. Government schemes such as Stipendium Hungaricum in Hungary, DAAD in Germany and the Swedish Institute scholarships.
- EU-funded awards. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, which require study in at least two European countries.
- University waivers and grants in Schengen countries, such as Dutch and Swedish tuition fee waivers.
Pages that promise “thousands of Schengen scholarships” with a “free study visa” are describing a mix of these. Always follow the link to the real provider before you apply. Our Europe scholarships hub covers the wider picture.
The 29 Schengen Countries in 2026
The Schengen Area has 29 members: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Bulgaria and Romania joined fully on 1 January 2025, and Croatia joined in January 2023. Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not in Schengen. The United Kingdom and Türkiye are not members, so scholarships there (such as Chevening) do not give Schengen access. Many older guides still say 26 countries.
Four of the 29 (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are not EU members, which matters for programmes funded by the EU. Switzerland, for example, runs its own government scholarship system.
Schengen Scholarships at a Glance: 12 Funded Routes
These Schengen scholarships are verified against official or university pages. Amounts and dates change each year, so confirm each one before you apply.
| Route | Country | Level | What it funds | Status for the next round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Consortia across several Schengen states | Master’s | Tuition and participation costs, travel and installation costs, €1,400 a month | Apply per programme; most 2027/28 deadlines fall between December 2026 and February 2027 |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition, HUF 43,700 a month (master’s), housing support, medical insurance | Opens November 2026; mid-January 2027 deadline expected |
| SI Scholarship for Global Professionals and Pioneering Women in STEM | Sweden | Master’s | Full tuition plus SEK 12,000 a month and a travel grant | Admission by 15 January 2027; SI portal in February (9 to 25 Feb in 2026) |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Master’s and PhD | Monthly allowance of €992 for master’s students, insurance and travel allowance | Deadlines set by each course, usually August to November |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | France | Master’s and PhD | €1,200 (master’s) or €2,100 (PhD) a month; not tuition | Your French institution nominates you; Campus France deadline in early January |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | Research fellowship, PhD | CHF 2,450 a month; semester fees not covered | Call open until 30 November 2026; deadline depends on your country |
| ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) | Switzerland | Master’s | Tuition waiver plus a living stipend (reported as CHF 12,000 a semester) | 1 to 30 November 2026 |
| Wageningen Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund | Netherlands | Master’s | Tuition, living allowance, travel, visa and insurance for 24 months | Complete application by 1 December 2026; invitation only for ABF |
| Italian Government (MAECI) scholarships | Italy | Master’s, PhD, arts and music | €1,200 a month for nine months (€10,800) | 2026/27 call closed 26 March 2026; 2027/28 call not yet announced |
| Banach NAWA Scholarship | Poland | Master’s | Monthly stipend (PLN 2,500 in the 2025 call) and fees | Calls have opened in spring; check NAWA for 2027 dates |
| Czech Government Scholarships for Developing Countries | Czechia | Master’s and doctoral | Tuition and CZK 16,000 (master’s) or CZK 24,960 (doctoral) a month; no travel | 2027/28 call closed 30 September 2026; next call expected around August 2027 |
| APPEAR scholarships (Austrian Development Cooperation) | Austria | Master’s and PhD | About €1,000 a month in earlier calls | Open only to 11 priority countries, through APPEAR partnership calls |
The Visa Behind Schengen Scholarships: Schengen C vs National D
Winning one of the Schengen scholarships does not give you a visa. If your course lasts more than 90 days, you need the national long-stay visa (type D) of the country where you study, and then a residence permit. The short-stay Schengen visa (type C) is for visits and short courses.
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | National long-stay visa (type D) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period | More than 90 days, in the country that issues it |
| Can you study a degree on it? | No. It suits short courses and summer schools | Yes. This is the student visa for degree study |
| Residence permit? | No | Yes, usually registered after arrival |
| Fee example | €90 for adults | €75 in Germany; fees vary by country |
| Travel to other Schengen states | Yes, within the 90 days | Yes, up to 90 days in any 180 days, as a visitor |
| Who issues it | Embassy of your main destination | Embassy or consulate of the country where you will study |
Three points are worth knowing:
- The D visa lets you visit other Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180 days. The Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the University of Rzeszów both state this for their national visas.
- Erasmus Mundus students move between countries. If your programme spans several countries, ask your consortium which visa or permit each stay needs, because the 90-day travel allowance is for visits, not for study.
- EES and ETIAS. The EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at all Schengen borders since 10 April 2026. ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026, applies only to travellers from visa-exempt countries, so most scholarship applicants who need a visa are not affected.
Which of the Schengen Scholarships Fits Your Profile?
| If you are… | Check first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| An African citizen | Wageningen ASP, Stipendium Hungaricum, SISGP (Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and others), Anders Wall’s Scholarship at Uppsala | These list African countries and cover full tuition or more |
| From Pakistan, India or Bangladesh | Stipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD EPOS | Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are on Hungary’s sending-partner list; the SI list changes, so check it |
| From the Middle East or North Africa | Stipendium Hungaricum, SISGP (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco), Czech Government Scholarships (Palestine), Italian MAECI if your country is listed | Each scheme has its own country list |
| Without work experience | Stipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus Mundus, Italian MAECI | SISGP needs 3,000 hours of work or leadership experience |
| A PhD applicant | DAAD EPOS, Swiss Excellence, Stipendium Hungaricum doctoral call, Erasmus Mundus Doctoral Networks (check) | Research-based funding is common at doctoral level |
The country lists change every year. We have verified the sending-partner list for Hungary, the SI list for Sweden and the Czech list, and you can read our guides to the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and scholarships in Sweden.
Schengen Scholarships Deadline Calendar: October 2026 to September 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16 October 2026 | Sweden’s autumn 2027 application round opens on universityadmissions.se (expected) |
| November 2026 | Stipendium Hungaricum call opens (expected); ETH Zurich ESOP runs 1 to 30 November |
| 30 November 2026 | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships call open until this date; your country’s deadline may be earlier |
| 1 December 2026 | Wageningen complete application deadline for the Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund; KTH scholarship form opens |
| December 2026 to February 2027 | Most Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters deadlines |
| Mid-January 2027 | Sweden admission deadline (15 January); Stipendium Hungaricum deadline expected |
| Early January 2027 | Eiffel: Campus France deadline for nominated candidates (8 January in 2026) |
| 1 February 2027 | Austria’s Ernst Mach grants for research stays (1 February in 2026) |
| February 2027 | SI scholarship portal (9 to 25 February in 2026) |
| March 2027 | Italian Government scholarship call expected (the 2026/27 call closed on 26 March 2026) |
| 1 April 2027 | University of Twente NL Scholarship deadline |
| Spring 2027 | NAWA Banach call expected (check NAWA) |
| Around August 2027 | Czech Government Scholarships call expected |
Dates marked expected follow the previous cycle. Confirm each date on the official page.
What Schengen Scholarships Pay: The Real Numbers
Stipends from Schengen scholarships vary widely and few cover all living costs. Hungary pays HUF 43,700 a month (about €110) to bachelor’s and master’s students plus housing support. Italy pays €1,200 a month for nine months. The Swiss Government’s research fellowship pays CHF 2,450 a month but does not cover semester fees. Sweden’s SI scholarship pays SEK 12,000 a month, while university waivers there cover tuition only and the Migration Agency still requires proof of SEK 10,656 a month for a residence permit. Travel is often excluded: Hungary and the Czech Republic do not pay it. Read the award terms for what is and is not covered before you plan your budget.
How to Apply for Schengen Scholarships
- Pick the country route that fits your profile. Use the profile table to match your citizenship, level and work experience to a country scheme. Many programmes accept only listed nationalities.
- Check the country list and deadline. Open the official page of each scholarship and confirm that your citizenship is eligible, and note the deadline and whether a sending partner or nominating institution is involved.
- Apply for the university programme. Most schemes require admission to a programme. Apply on the national admissions portal or the university’s page, and choose programmes that the scholarship accepts.
- Submit the scholarship application. Complete the separate scholarship form, motivation letter and references. Contact your sending partner or nominating institution early if the scheme uses one.
- Accept your award and request an invitation or admission letter. After a decision, accept the scholarship in the system and ask the university for the documents your embassy needs.
- Apply for the national long-stay D visa. Apply to the embassy of the country where you will study, with your scholarship award letter, admission letter, insurance and accommodation proof as that country requires.
- Register your residence after arrival. Register your address and collect your residence permit within the deadline set by the country, and keep your travel to other Schengen states within 90 days in any 180.
Most schemes ask for references and a motivation letter. See our guides to a recommendation letter for a scholarship, a personal statement for a scholarship and the English proficiency certificate.
Myths and Mistakes About Schengen Scholarships
- “There is a Schengen scholarship you can apply for.” There is not. Schengen scholarships are separate country and university schemes.
- “A Schengen visa lets me study.” It does not for degree study. You need a national long-stay visa.
- “Europe is tuition free.” Germany and Czechia are the exceptions, and Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands charge non-EU students.
- “26 countries.” There are 29 since 2025.
- “Austria has a government scholarship for a master’s.” Austria’s OeAD grants mostly fund research stays. APPEAR master’s and PhD scholarships are limited to priority countries.
- Skipping the sending partner. Stipendium Hungaricum needs nomination by your country’s sending partner.
- Overstaying travel limits. Visits to other Schengen states count against 90 days in any 180.
- Paying an agent for a “guaranteed” scholarship or visa. Official schemes do not sell guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schengen Scholarships
What is a Schengen scholarship?
There is no official programme called the Schengen scholarship. The term is shorthand for scholarships offered by governments, universities and the EU for study in the 29 Schengen countries. Each scheme has its own funder, eligibility rules and application.
How many countries are in the Schengen Area in 2026?
There are 29: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Bulgaria and Romania joined fully on 1 January 2025, while Ireland and Cyprus are EU members outside Schengen.
Do Schengen scholarships include a free Schengen visa?
No. Scholarships pay tuition and sometimes a stipend, but you still apply for a visa and pay any fee. For degree study you need the national long-stay (type D) visa of the country where you will study, not a short-stay Schengen visa.
Can I study on a Schengen short-stay visa?
Only for short courses of up to 90 days in any 180 days. For a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD you need a national long-stay visa and then a residence permit.
Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a student visa?
Yes. Holders of Schengen scholarships with a national long-stay visa or residence permit can generally travel to other Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as visitors. That does not let you study or work there.
Which Schengen scholarship is fully funded?
Fully funded Schengen scholarships include Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Stipendium Hungaricum, the Swedish Institute scholarships, Wageningen’s Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund, and the Czech Government Scholarships for listed countries. Each has its own country list, and some do not cover travel.
Is education free in all Schengen countries?
No. Germany’s public universities charge no tuition in most states, and Czechia is free for programmes taught in Czech. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands charge non-EU students tuition, which is why scholarships matter there.
What is the next deadline for Schengen scholarships?
The Wageningen scholarships close on 1 December 2026, ETH Zurich’s ESOP on 30 November 2026 and the Swiss Government call by 30 November 2026 depending on your country. Sweden’s admission round closes on 15 January 2027, and Stipendium Hungaricum is expected to close in mid-January 2027.
Do I need ETIAS to study in a Schengen country?
No. For Schengen scholarships, ETIAS, expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, is for travellers from visa-exempt countries on short stays. If you need a visa, you apply for a visa instead, and students staying more than 90 days need a national long-stay visa.
Can I apply for several Schengen scholarships at once?
Yes, and you should. Each scheme is a separate application, but watch for first-choice rules at universities such as KTH and Gothenburg, and note that Stipendium Hungaricum allows only one application through your country’s sending partner.
Do Schengen scholarships require IELTS?
It depends on the programme. Each university or scheme sets its own English requirement, and some accept proof that your previous studies were in English. Check the programme page before you pay for a test.
Related Reading
- Europe scholarships for international students
- Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship
- Scholarships in Sweden for international students
- NL Scholarship (Netherlands)
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
- Top 25 fully funded scholarships for developing countries
- Scholarships without IELTS
- Scholarship deadlines: apply now
Official sources: the Stipendium Hungaricum website, the OeAD scholarship programmes page, the NAWA programme pages, Italy’s Study in Italy call list and the EU’s official Schengen visa information.
Conclusion
The smart way to use Schengen scholarships is to pick the country scheme that matches your citizenship, apply early to its sending partner or admissions system, and plan for the national long-stay visa from the day you win. Check every date and eligibility rule on the official page before you apply, because they change each year.