10 Best Scholarships in Croatia for International Students

The Republic of Croatia, usually referred to as Croatia, is located in Central and Southeast Europe along the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular destination for summer vacations, and tourism is an important part of the country’s economy. Its beaches, islands, and coastline attract travelers from around the world.

Besides relaxing on its beaches, visitors can also explore other hotspots in Croatia. One famous landmark is the ancient city of Dubrovnik. Its old-world charm attracts travelers, celebrities, and Game of Thrones fans because parts of the show were filmed there.

From sightseeing to summer holidays, Croatia has more to offer, including opportunities to study abroad. You can fulfill your academic goals through scholarships and exchange programs for international students in Croatia.

Top Scholarships in Croatia for International Students

1. Bilateral Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition-free study or research, plus monthly support of EUR 300 for bachelor’s and master’s students, EUR 320 for Ph.D. students, or EUR 480 for postdoctoral researchers, with subsidized accommodation and meals where applicable
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., postdoctoral research, short research visits, and summer seminars, depending on the scholarship type

The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia and the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes offer Bilateral Scholarships for foreign students, teachers, and researchers. With these scholarships in Croatia, qualified applicants can gain academic experience at Croatian higher education institutions. There are two main application pools: scholarships based on bilateral agreements and scholarships for Croatian language and Slavic studies.

The signed bilateral agreements between Croatia and other countries allow eligible international students and researchers to apply for these scholarships. Students who study Croatian language and literature or Slavic studies may also apply through the language studies pool. Applicants are generally nominated by a partner institution in their home country or by a Croatian language fellow, depending on the scholarship type.

The current scholarship call lists several types of support. Bachelor’s and master’s students may receive EUR 300 per month, Ph.D. students may receive EUR 320 per month, and postdoctoral researchers may receive EUR 480 per month. Some scholarship types also include tuition-free study or research, subsidized accommodation, and subsidized meals. These benefits are intended as a contribution to living costs, so recipients should still plan for additional personal expenses.

2. Erasmus + Grant

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Exemption from tuition and related academic fees at the host institution, plus possible travel and living-cost support
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Erasmus+ grants provide funding opportunities for students enrolled at higher education institutions that participate in the Erasmus+ program. Through Erasmus+, students can study at an eligible Croatian higher education institution as part of their degree. Erasmus+ students are exempt from tuition, registration, examination, laboratory, and library fees at the host institution, although small fees may still apply. Students may also receive support for travel and living costs.

To qualify for this scholarship in Croatia, you need to be registered and enrolled in a tertiary-level degree program. You should also check whether your home and target institutions participate in Erasmus+ and have the required inter-institutional arrangements for student mobility.

If you are applying for Erasmus+ during your bachelor’s studies, you usually need to be at least in your second year of undergraduate study. Your study abroad period should also be relevant to your degree program. Along with Erasmus+, you may be able to seek additional funding for your studies in Croatia through government or private institutions.

3. RIT Croatia Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Scholarships and financial aid vary; the Outstanding Scholarship is EUR 4,000 total, awarded as EUR 1,000 per year for up to four years
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

RIT Croatia, located in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, is a global campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, USA. It offers programs that can lead to both American and Croatian degrees. The institute provides financial support and scholarships to qualified students.

Financial aid depends on the student’s financial need, while scholarships are generally based on academic achievements, other achievements, or scholarship competitions. Students can indicate interest in scholarships and financial aid during the admissions process. Some scholarship opportunities may also be offered through contests or special calls.

For incoming undergraduate students, the Outstanding Scholarship is awarded to applicants with a grade point average above 3.50 out of 4.00 in each grade of secondary school. The scholarship is worth EUR 4,000 in total and is distributed as EUR 1,000 per year over four years. RIT Croatia also reports that more than 90% of first-year undergraduate applicants who applied for scholarships or financial aid received an award in the previous year.

4. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Up to US$5,000
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides opportunities for American undergraduate students to study or intern abroad, experience different cultures, and build skills for their career and academic development. To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens, undergraduate students at a US-accredited institution, and recipients of the Federal Pell Grant.

Successful applicants may receive up to US$5,000 that they can use for study-related costs, such as tuition, books, housing, meals, local transportation, international airfare, insurance, passport fees, and visa fees. Additional supplemental awards may be available for students who meet specific program criteria.

The application for this scholarship requires essays and transcripts. You will also need to have your application certified by the appropriate advisor at your institution. Make sure to complete your requirements and reach out to your advisor for certification before the deadline.

5. Boren Awards

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Up to US$25,000 for undergraduate scholarships and up to US$30,000 for graduate fellowships
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Boren Awards provide financial support for international study and research by American undergraduate and graduate students. Besides being US citizens, undergraduate applicants must be high school graduates or GED holders and at least 18 years old at the time of the national application deadline. Graduate applicants should be enrolled in or applying to an eligible graduate program.

Boren Awards consider applicants based on factors such as program duration, language study, destination, and the connection between the proposed study and US national security. Longer programs are generally encouraged, and applicants should focus on studying less commonly taught languages in regions that are relevant to the program’s goals.

Undergraduate Boren Scholarships provide up to US$8,000 for STEM-only programs of eight to 11 weeks, up to US$12,500 for programs of 12 to 24 weeks, and up to US$25,000 for programs of 25 to 52 weeks. Graduate Boren Fellowships provide up to US$25,000 for programs of 25 to 52 weeks, with a possible additional domestic language study supplement that can raise total funding to US$30,000.

6. Zagreb School of Economics and Management Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: 20%, 30%, or 50% first-year tuition reduction; the 2026/2027 scholarship fund was EUR 36,000
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

Zagreb School of Economics and Management, located in Zagreb, Croatia, is a business school for undergraduate and graduate students. It offers programs in areas such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and management. ZSEM offers scholarship competitions for qualified undergraduate applicants.

Students are required to submit a motivation letter or essay and take the online entrance exam to qualify for the scholarship. For the motivation letter, applicants usually explain their future plans and reasons for applying. Applicants may also need to submit their high school grades and other required admissions documents.

The 2026/2027 scholarship competition offered three first-year tuition reductions of 20%, 30%, and 50%, with a total scholarship fund of EUR 36,000. The scholarship may continue in later academic years if the scholar passes all courses and maintains a minimum GPA of 4.0. The competition is available for a limited time each year, so applicants should check the current ZSEM scholarship page before applying.

7. IUC Southeast European Scholarship

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Half-board accommodation in Dubrovnik and limited partial travel or visa-cost compensation for students from selected countries
• Eligible Degree/s: Graduate students, Ph.D. students, and young faculty members

The Inter-University Center of Dubrovnik is an independent institution for advanced study in Croatia. The IUC promotes inclusivity in education by providing opportunities for higher education to students who lack financial support. Scholars from selected countries may benefit from subsidized accommodation and, in limited cases, partial travel or visa-cost compensation.

To be eligible, applicants must be from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, or Ukraine. Eligible candidates include graduate students in their final year, Ph.D. students, and young faculty members who are 35 years old or younger. Candidates should submit their application forms to the IUC Secretariat at least one month before the start of the chosen course. In some cases, candidates may be interviewed by the evaluation board through online platforms.

The IUC Southeast European Scholarship Fund is available for a limited number of participants. Only one scholarship is granted per person per calendar year, and only one scholarship is granted per course. Successful candidates receive half-board accommodation in Dubrovnik, usually in a student dormitory or monastery. Limited partial travel or visa-cost compensation may also be available for participants from selected countries.

8. Central European Exchange Program for University Studies

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition-fee exemption at the host institution plus a host-country scholarship; amount varies by country, mobility type, and duration
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

The Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS) is an international exchange program for CEEPUS member countries. Students, teachers, and higher education staff from participating countries are offered opportunities for international academic mobility at partner universities. Participating countries include Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Kosovo.

A candidate may apply as a CEEPUS network student or as a free mover. CEEPUS network students are enrolled at partner universities and are nominated by their home institution for mobility at a host institution. Free movers are applicants from institutions outside a CEEPUS network who apply for available mobility opportunities, usually under separate application rules.

Student applicants are required to follow the online application procedure and submit the required documents according to their desired mobility type and length of stay. CEEPUS students are exempt from tuition fees at the receiving higher education institution. They also receive a scholarship from the host country, but the scholarship amount and benefits vary by country, mobility type, and duration.

9. Rijeka School of Croatian Studies

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition-free Croatian language course, EUR 300 monthly support, and subsidized accommodation and meals
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s

The Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia offers scholarships for foreign students who are interested in studying Croatian language at the Rijeka School of Croatian Studies or at the Croaticum in Zagreb. Selected candidates study for one semester to improve their Croatian language skills.

To be eligible for this Croatian scholarship, candidates should generally be students of Croatian language and literature, Slavic studies, or another program that includes Croatian language learning. They must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program and have completed at least two semesters at their home institution before applying.

Chosen candidates receive tuition-free Croatian language study, EUR 300 per month, and subsidized accommodation and meals. To apply, candidates must submit the application form, curriculum vitae, letter of interest, proof of enrollment, transcript, recommendation letter, and other required documents through the official application system. Applicants should check the current call for the complete list of required documents.

10. Croatian Government Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition-free Ph.D. study, EUR 320 monthly support, and subsidized accommodation and meals
• Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.

The Croatian Government offers full doctoral scholarships under its bilateral scholarship program. In the current call, full Ph.D. scholarships are available to members of the Croatian national minority in Hungary, Romania, and the Slovak Republic, as well as citizens of China, subject to the conditions of the call.

Aside from the eligibility requirements listed above, candidates are required to have a master’s degree. For the full Ph.D. scholarship, the current call sets the age limit at 30 years. Applicants may also need to provide proof of language competence, a work plan, recommendation letters, and proof of invitation or enrollment from a Croatian higher education institution.

Successful applicants receive tuition-free Ph.D. study, EUR 320 per month, and subsidized accommodation and meals. However, the monthly support does not cover all expenses incurred by the scholarship holder; it is a contribution to living costs during the study period. To apply, submit the application form, a list of publications, a copy of your highest degree, a work plan, and other required documents through the official online application system. For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia.

We hope that this article on scholarships in Croatia for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!