CZ
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (hereafter referred to as the "Ministry") annually offers scholarships to foreign nationals, pursuant to bilateral intergovernmental or deparmental agreements concluded with a number of countries. Scholarships are awarded to applicants nominated by the competent authorities of eligible countries:
Scholarships of this type are designed for university/college students or graduates and Ph.D. candidates (exceptionally also for university researchers/teachers) who wish to accomplish a study or research stay at one of the Czech public institutions of higher education. Its length usually ranges from 2 to 10 months depending upon the agreement made by the Czech government and the foreign government concerned that specifies also the categories of eligible recipients.
Most frequently, scholarship-holders are admitted for research visits (i.e. they either attend non-degree courses of their choice, or pursue an independent research activity at the host institutions, depending on their qualifications and preferences). Since the courses they follow in the Czech Republic do not lead to the award of a degree, they are not required to sit entrance examinations. In compliance with the applicable legal regulations, decisions on admission to research or study stays are taken by the institutions of higher education. Prospective applicants are therefore advised to contact the selected university directly and request a letter of invitation from the relevant department. Although such a letter is not listed among obligatory attachments to the application form, its submission is recommended, since it simplifies and expedites acceptance. Applicants are requested to point out to the selected university that they are applying for scholarship awards under an international agreement.
Note please that access to art academies can be somewhat limited because the applicants must meet demanding requirements and demonstrate their talent (i.e. submit a sample of their artistic work, for example photographs, video/audio recording of a musical performance etc.).
The applicants for research stays need not necessarily be proficient in the Czech language, unless its knowledge is a prerequisite for admission due to the nature of the selected field of study/research. If they cannot demonstrate adequate knowledge of Czech, a good command of English is normally required (less frequently knowledge of French or German may suffice, depending on the field and university selected).
It is also possible to apply for a study stay at a university (i.e. enrolment in a standard study programme with tuition in the Czech language for the period of scholarship specified in the respective intergovernmental/departmental agreement). In this case, a good command of the Czech language is a must and admission may be conditional upon successful passing of entrance examinations.
All applicants should indicate the preferred period of scholarship in their application form. The Ministry reserves the right to change the requested term of scholarship and/or place any applicant to a course and/or higher education institution different from those indicated in his/her scholarship application form, if admission as requested by the applicant is not feasible.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
On principle, nominations and application dossiers must be submitted to the Ministry by the competent authorities (usually government agencies) of eligible countries or by the Czech Embassies in those countries. Applications sent directly to the Ministry by individual applicants will not be processed. Foreign authorities present the nominations before the deadline set in the relevant agreements, in most cases by 31 March. The closing dates for applications fixed by the competent foreign authorities are necessarily earlier (normally by several months). Prospective applicants are therefore advised to contact the respective national authorities (usually the Ministries of Education) in time.
Each application dossier must comprise 2 copies of a completely and legibly filled out application form:
application-form-2012.doc
application-form-2012.pdf
and the following required attachments which are also submitted in duplicate:
A. for a study/research stay up to 30 days
- curriculum vitae;
- list of publications (if applicable).
B. for a study/research stay exceeding 30 days
- curriculum vitae;
- list of publications (if applicable);
- medical certificate (only for non-EU/EEA nationals);
- two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors or employer;
- photocopy of diploma (if applicable);
- certified transcript(s) of records.
All these documents must be written in or translated into Czech, English, French or German.
Fine arts and performing arts students/graduates are moreover required to attach a sample of their artistic work, e.g. photographs, video/audio recording of a musical performance etc.
Incomplete application dossiers and/or inadequately completed application forms will not be processed.
Advice and further information can be also provided by the Czech Embassies in eligible countries.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
The scholarship award is notified by a Decision issued by the Ministry. There is no legal claim to the scholarship award. The scholarship is not transferable to another person.
Its amount is periodically reviewed and adjusted. For the academic year 2012/2013, the scholarship amounts to CZK 9,000 per month for those who do not hold a Master's degree or equivalent and CZK 9,500 per month for holders of a Master's degree or equivalent.
Scholarship-holders are exempted from tuition fees. The scholarship has to be collected in person at the appropriate department of the respective Czech university.
Inexpensive accommodation at student dormitories is offered as well as the possibility to take meals at student catering facilities. The applicants are requested to indicate in their application form whether they wish to obtain lodging at a student dormitory.
MEDICAL CARE
Medical care for EU/EEA citizens who are properly insured in their home countries is provided in compliance with the European Parliament and Council (EC) Regulation No. 883/2004, as last amended, and its implementing Regulation No. 987/2009, as last amended - detailed information is available on the website of the Centre for International Reimbursements.
Note please that the expenses for repatriation are not covered by the provisions of the aforementioned European Regulations and it is therefore advisable to contract an insurance policy to this end.
As regards non-EU/EEA citizens, medical care is provided to the extent stipulated in the respective intergovernmental/departmental agreement under which the scholarship is awarded. If the agreement concerned does not provide for any coverage of medical care, the admitted applicants are required to arrange a health insurance policy for the period of their stay in the Czech Republic (for details please consult the consular section of the Czech Embassy in your country).
The last amendments to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals on the Territory of the Czech Republic have had an impact upon the system of coverage of medical expenses incurred by students from countries outside the EU/EEA, including scholarship-holders, whose study visits to the Czech Republic are to last longer than 90 days.
Prior to the granting of a visa for a stay exceeding 90 days, each applicant is obliged to submit the respective certificate of travel medical insurance issued by an insurance company authorised to provide such insurance on the territory of the Czech Republic or in another EU/EEA country, the applicant's home country or country of last residence. If the insurance policy is contracted with a company based abroad, the applicant is required to submit an officially certified translation of the policy and general terms and conditions of his/her insurance in the Czech language as well as, upon request, a certificate of the insurance coverage for the entire period of stay in the Czech Republic.
Please consult the consular section of the Czech Embassy in your country to find out about detailed requirements applying to the minimum scope of compulsory insurance policy.
Detailed information on regulations governing residence on the territory of the Czech Republic is available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior at www.mvcr.cz/cizinci.
FORFEITURE OF SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship is not paid during the scholarship-holder`s absence from the territory of the Czech Republic which lasts for more than 30 calendar days, and during the interruption of or following the termination of studies.
Only one half of the monthly scholarship is provided for any month in which the scholarship-holder is present on the territory of the Czech Republic for less than 15 calendar days.
The claim to scholarship is forfeited and the scholarship is withdrawn, if the admitted applicant fails to commence his/her research or study within 30 calendar days from the prescribed date indicated in the respective Ministry Decision without previously filing a well-founded application for its postponement.
Czech system of higher education
Detailed information on the Czech system of higher education is available on the website of the Centre for Higher Education Studies (http://www.csvs.cz/).
Information on study fields offered can be found on the websites of individual public institutions of higher education.
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