The International Visegrad Fund (IVF), founded in 2000 by the Visegrad Group countries—Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia (V4)—continues to provide one of the most diverse funding opportunities in Europe. Headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Fund promotes cooperation in education, research, culture, and innovation through scholarships, grants, fellowships, and artist residencies.
Degree Levels Covered
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Master’s Degree (1–4 semesters)
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Post-Master/PhD Research (1–2 semesters)
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Independent Research / Fellowships (up to 2 months, for OSA fellowship)
Eligible Fields of Study
The Visegrad Fund Scholarships 2025–2026 are open to all academic disciplines, including:
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Arts & Humanities
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Social Sciences
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Natural Sciences & Engineering
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Education & Youth Development
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Culture, Media, and Performing Arts
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Research, Innovation, and Development
Programmes Offered by the International Visegrad Fund
The IVF supports several flagship initiatives:
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Visegrad Grants – For NGOs, municipalities, universities, and civil society groups from V4 countries.
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Visegrad+ Grants – For joint projects involving V4 countries and partners from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership.
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Strategic Grants – For projects targeting annual V4 strategic priorities.
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Visegrad Scholarship Programme (VSP) – For Master’s, PhD, and research students.
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OSA Fellowships – For scholars, journalists, and artists working at the Open Society Archives (Budapest).
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Visegrad Artist Residency Programme (VARP) – For writers, musicians, performers, and visual artists from V4 countries and the USA.
Benefits of IVF Scholarships & Grants
Recipients of the Visegrad Fund Scholarships and Grants 2025–2026 enjoy:
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Full or partial tuition support (depending on institution and program)
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Monthly scholarship allowance (varies by host country)
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Travel and accommodation support (for OSA Fellowships & Residencies)
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€2,000 fellowship grant for OSA research in Budapest
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Access to networking, cultural exchange, and international collaboration opportunities
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must hold citizenship from the following regions:
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V4 Countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
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Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo*
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Eastern Partnership Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
Apply Also
- SEARCA MS and PhD Scholarships 2026–2027 (Fully Funded in Southeast Asia)
- University of Pretoria Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Visegrad Scholarship Programme (VSP) 2025–2026, candidates must:
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Be a citizen of eligible countries (V4, Western Balkans, or Eastern Partnership).
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Apply for a Master’s, PhD, or independent research program at an accredited institution in a V4 country.
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Demonstrate a strong academic background and research potential.
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Submit a study/research proposal aligned with IVF objectives of cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional development.
Application Process
Step 1 – Online Submission
Applications are submitted via the Visegrad Fund Application Portal.
Step 2 – Required Documents
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Research/Study Proposal
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Academic Transcripts & Certificates
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CV/Resume
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Two Letters of Recommendation
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Proof of Admission/Acceptance (if available)
Step 3 – Deadlines
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Grants: February 1, June 1, October 1
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Scholarships (VSP): April 15 (11:59 CET)
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OSA Fellowship: Twice yearly (dates on IVF website)
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by independent experts. Final decisions are approved by the Council of Ambassadors by May 31 each year.
 Scholarships & Grants 2025–2026. Open to students, researchers, NGOs, and artists from V4, Western Balkans, and Eastern Partnership countries.){kind=link}