If you are searching for the top government scholarships in Europe 2026, the Romanian Government Scholarship and Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant are two government-funded opportunities worth comparing.
Both supported international students during the 2026/27 academic year, but they have different application procedures, funding packages, eligibility requirements and study-language rules.
Last verified: November 2, 2026
Current status: Applications for both scholarships are closed for the 2026/27 academic year. Romania’s application deadline was March 31, 2026, while Azerbaijan’s general first-stage nomination deadline was April 15, 2026. Azerbaijan has also announced its final selection results.
This guide explains what each scholarship covers, who qualifies, how the application processes work, and what students should prepare for future cycles.
Geographical clarification: Romania is a European Union member state. Azerbaijan lies in the South Caucasus at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It is included as a related government-funded study destination rather than described as an EU country.
Top Government Scholarships in Europe 2026: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Romanian Government Scholarship | Azerbaijan Government Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Romania | Azerbaijan |
| Official programme | Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarship | Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant |
| Degree levels | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, general medicine, medical residency |
| Tuition fees | Covered | Covered |
| Monthly support | Government scholarship allowance | 800 AZN for 10 months annually |
| Accommodation | Dormitory subsidy, subject to availability | Paid from monthly allowance |
| International flights | Not a standard benefit | One economy-class return trip annually |
| Medical support | Subject to applicable student arrangements | 200 AZN annual medical allowance |
| Language preparation | Romanian preparatory year where required | Preparatory programme where applicable |
| Application route | Direct government portal | Home-country nomination, then SIACAS |
| Initial deadline | March 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Current status | Closed | Closed; selection completed |
Important: These details refer to the completed 2026/27 competitions. Neither programme’s 2027/28 dates should be treated as confirmed until the relevant government publishes its next call.
1. Romanian Government Scholarship 2026–2027
The Romanian Government Scholarship, offered through Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides financial support to eligible students from countries outside the European Union.
It supports bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral education at accredited Romanian universities.
Unlike scholarship programmes requiring nomination by a home-country government, Romania’s MFA Scholarship has a direct online application process.
However, this does not mean selection is easy.
The Romanian government reported receiving 88,798 applications from 152 countries for the 2026/27 competition.
What Does the Romanian Government Scholarship Cover?
The programme provides:
- Tuition-fee support for the approved study programme.
- Tuition funding for the Romanian-language preparatory year, where applicable.
- A monthly scholarship allowance.
- Exemption from specified registration and admission-related fees.
- Accommodation support in university dormitories within the available subsidy.
Student accommodation depends on the availability of university residence places.
International airfare is not included as a universal scholarship benefit.
Successful applicants should prepare for expenses that may not be fully covered, including travel, visa costs, document certification and personal living expenses.
Which Degree Levels Are Eligible?
The scholarship supports three academic levels.
| Degree | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 3–6 years |
| Master’s | 1–2 years |
| PhD | 4 years |
The exact duration depends on the selected programme.
Important correction: The Romanian Government Scholarship does support PhD students. Older online lists that mention only bachelor’s and master’s programmes are incomplete.
Doctoral applicants must satisfy additional research and admission requirements.
Is IELTS Required for the Romanian Government Scholarship?
The key consideration is the language of instruction.
Under the 2026/27 MFA Scholarship:
- Bachelor’s programmes were available in Romanian.
- Master’s programmes were available in Romanian.
- Doctoral programmes could be taught in Romanian or another language approved by the doctoral school.
Students who do not speak Romanian may receive a funded Romanian-language preparatory year.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that the existence of English-taught master’s programmes at Romanian universities means those programmes are eligible under this particular government scholarship.
For doctoral applicants, a foreign-language programme may be possible if approved by the doctoral school.
Romanian Government Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants generally must:
- Be citizens of countries outside the European Union.
- Hold recognised educational qualifications.
- Have academic results equivalent to at least 7/10 or the official Good standard.
- Submit a complete application.
- Meet the requirements of their chosen study level.
- Follow the official document-authentication rules.
Certain applicant categories are excluded under the scholarship regulations.
These include some applicants eligible for separate Romanian-origin scholarship programmes, relevant diplomatic personnel and students already receiving a Romanian state scholarship for the same study cycle.
Which Subjects Are Excluded?
The scholarship does not cover:
- Medicine.
- Dental Medicine.
- Pharmacy.
Students seeking medical education in Romania should investigate other scholarship or admission routes.
Additional Requirements for PhD Applicants
Doctoral applicants must meet requirements beyond the standard academic-document checklist.
The official rules require candidates to obtain written agreement from a doctoral supervisor associated with the relevant doctoral school before submitting the scholarship application.
Applicants must also satisfy the doctoral admission interview requirement.
Their application includes research-related documentation, such as a proposed research project and relevant scientific work.
For students planning doctoral study, identifying an appropriate supervisor is therefore an essential preparation step.
How to Apply for the Romanian Government Scholarship
The 2026/27 application period ran from February 16 to March 31, 2026.
That round has closed.
The application process was as follows.
Step 1 — Check eligibility
Confirm that you meet the nationality, academic and study-level requirements.
Step 2 — Prepare academic documents
The application required documents including:
- Previous academic diploma or equivalent certificate.
- Academic transcripts.
- Birth certificate or equivalent document.
- Valid passport.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Authorised translations where applicable.
- Additional documents for particular applicant categories.
The 2026/27 rules also required educational documents to be appropriately apostilled or authenticated.
Applicants should not assume that ordinary scans or uncertified documents will satisfy the next call.
Step 3 — Create an application account
Candidates registered through the official government scholarship platform.
Romanian Government Scholarship Application Portal
Step 4 — Complete the online form
Applicants entered their academic and personal information and uploaded the required documents.
Step 5 — Submit the complete application
The deadline was March 31, 2026.
Applications sent directly to unrelated university or embassy email addresses were not accepted as substitutes for the official scholarship submission.
Step 6 — Check the selection outcome
Applicants were instructed to follow messages from the official Study in Romania platform and their registered email addresses.
Romanian Government Scholarship Results 2026
The original schedule indicated that scholarship results would be announced around July 15, 2026. For a broader regional shortlist, review Europe scholarships 2026 before narrowing this page down to one route.
However, Study in Romania published an official notice on July 16, 2026, explaining that results were delayed.
The original July 15 date should therefore not be treated as a confirmed notification date for every applicant.
How to Check Your Romanian Scholarship Result
If you applied, access your official Study in Romania account and review your messages and application information.
Also check the email address used during registration, including spam and junk folders.
Applicants should rely on instructions from the official scholarship authority rather than unofficial result lists.
What Happens After Selection?
Successful applicants receive further instructions about accepting the scholarship and completing university enrolment procedures.
The Romanian Ministry of Education and Research issues a letter of acceptance for studies.
This document identifies the applicable university arrangements and any required Romanian-language preparatory programme.
Selected students must then complete the relevant acceptance, university registration and visa procedures.
Can the Romanian Government Scholarship Be Deferred?
The programme’s published FAQ indicates that a scholarship cannot simply be suspended or transferred to a later academic year at the recipient’s request.
Students facing exceptional circumstances should contact the scholarship authority rather than assuming deferral is permitted.
Romania Scholarship Guides on Scholarships Central
- Romanian Government Scholarship for Bachelor’s Students
- Romanian Government Scholarship for Master’s Students
Official sources:
- 2026/27 Romanian MFA Scholarship Announcement
- Romanian Government Scholarship Rules and Benefits
- Official Study in Romania News and Results
2. Azerbaijan Government Scholarship 2026–2027: Heydar Aliyev Grant
The Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Programme provides government-funded study opportunities at participating Azerbaijani universities.
The programme supports eligible international students at several academic levels.
Unlike Romania’s direct application system, Azerbaijan requires candidates to obtain official nomination through the appropriate authority in their home country.
Only nominated applicants can proceed to the central Azerbaijani admission stage.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
The programme provides for 100 international education grants annually.
For the 2026/27 academic year, Azerbaijan announced on October 12, 2026, that:
- 100 students had been selected.
- Recipients came from 55 countries.
- Applications had been received from 64 countries.
- Selected students were assigned to 11 Azerbaijani higher-education institutions.
This confirms that the 2026/27 selection process has concluded.
Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Benefits
The official 2026/27 programme provides the following funding.
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Covered |
| Preparatory courses | Covered where applicable |
| Monthly allowance | 800 AZN |
| Allowance period | 10 months annually |
| International travel | One economy-class return trip annually |
| Medical allowance | 200 AZN annually |
| Visa | Specified visa support |
| Residence arrangements | Temporary residence-permit support |
Is Accommodation Free?
The scholarship provides a monthly allowance intended to support accommodation, daily living expenses and educational materials.
This does not automatically mean that every recipient receives a free university dormitory room.
Recipients should confirm accommodation costs and housing availability with their assigned institution.
Is the Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Fully Funded?
The grant provides a broad funding package that includes tuition, travel, a monthly allowance and specified medical and immigration-related support.
However, recipients should still calculate expenses not expressly covered by the scholarship.
The monthly allowance is paid for ten months annually, excluding July and August.
Additional personal spending, family expenses and travel outside the stated benefits may remain the recipient’s responsibility.
Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship targets eligible citizens from several categories of countries.
These include:
- Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
- Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
- Small Island Developing States.
- Countries sharing specified cultural, historical or ethnic ties with Azerbaijan.
Applicants must meet the nationality criteria of the current official call and the nomination requirements of their home-country authority.
Azerbaijan Scholarship Age Limits
The 2026/27 call specified the following age requirements.
| Degree level | Age limit as of September 15, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s and general medicine | Under 35 |
| Master’s and medical residency | Under 40 |
| PhD | Under 45 |
These age limits belong to the 2026/27 competition and should be checked again when the next call is released.
Minimum Academic Requirement
Applicants needed academic results equivalent to at least:
70/100 or 7/10, or an accepted equivalent in the relevant previous qualification.
Applicants must also satisfy the academic admission requirements of their selected programmes.
Is IELTS Required?
Language requirements depend on the selected degree and its language of instruction.
The official call identifies requirements for English-medium study and provisions relating to previous education completed in the relevant language.
For the 2026/27 cycle, English-taught programmes could require IELTS or TOEFL evidence, with different thresholds for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants, or accepted proof of previous English-medium education.
Other provisions apply to Azerbaijani-, Russian- and Turkish-medium study.
Applicants should verify the relevant language route and admission requirements rather than assuming IELTS is universally compulsory or universally waived. For a wider country-level comparison, explore scholarships in Germany and compare more routes in the same destination.
Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Application Process
The Heydar Aliyev Grant uses a two-stage application system.
Stage 1: Home-Country Nomination
Applicants first submit the required documentation through the appropriate government authority, scholarship office, ministry or other officially designated channel in their home country.
The general first-stage deadline for the 2026/27 competition was:
April 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM Baku time.
However, some countries established earlier domestic nomination deadlines.
This is particularly important for Pakistani applicants.
Stage 2: SIACAS Application
Officially nominated candidates proceed to the Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service (SIACAS).
The later revised 2026/27 call information identifies the second-stage application period as June 1–10, 2026.
Some earlier downloadable versions of the call displayed June 1 as the end of this stage. Applicants should always follow the final instructions issued by the scholarship authority and their SIACAS account.
Only nominated candidates could participate in this stage.
Applicants could select up to three specialties at participating institutions.
Official admission portal: Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service
Stage 3: Evaluation and Final Selection
Applications proceeded through evaluation and selection after nomination and SIACAS submission.
An official nomination did not guarantee a scholarship.
The government announced the completed 2026/27 selection on October 12, 2026.
Azerbaijan Government Scholarship for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants faced an important country-specific deadline.
For the 2026/27 competition, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) announced three nomination positions for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir applicants:
- One bachelor’s nomination.
- One master’s nomination.
- One doctoral nomination.
HEC Pakistan Deadline
The official HEC application deadline was:
March 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
This was earlier than Azerbaijan’s general April 15 nomination deadline.
Therefore, a Pakistani applicant who followed only the international announcement could have missed the national application period.
What Did HEC Require?
The HEC selection process included academic eligibility, the relevant application documents and valid USAT or HAT test-score requirements, as applicable.
Applicants had to apply through HEC’s official scholarship portal and follow its nomination procedure.
Only candidates nominated through the prescribed process could proceed to Azerbaijan’s central admission stage.
What Pakistani Students Should Do for the Next Cycle
Students interested in a future Azerbaijan Government Scholarship should monitor both the international programme and HEC.
When the next call opens, verify:
- The international nomination deadline.
- HEC’s separate domestic deadline.
- The number of nomination places.
- Required academic qualifications and test scores.
- Any changes to language requirements.
- The documents needed for nomination and SIACAS.
Official HEC scholarship information: HEC Pakistan — Azerbaijan Government Scholarship
Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Results 2026
Yes, the final selection outcome has been announced.
On October 12, 2026, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Education confirmed that the 2026/27 selection process had been completed.
The official announcement confirmed 100 recipients from 55 countries.
How Can Applicants Check Their Individual Result?
Applicants who participated in the 2026/27 competition should review their SIACAS account, email correspondence and notifications from the authority that nominated them.
Those selected should follow the enrolment and documentation instructions issued by their assigned university.
Does Nomination Mean You Have Won?
No.
The first-stage nomination permits a candidate to proceed to further evaluation.
The final scholarship award depends on the Azerbaijani selection process.
What If You Were Not Selected?
Applicants seeking confirmation of their individual outcome should contact their nominating authority or the official programme.
The completion of the selection process does not mean that every nominee received a grant.
Official result announcement: Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs — October 12, 2026
Romania vs Azerbaijan: Which Government Scholarship Is Better?
Neither scholarship is automatically the best choice for every student.
Their suitability depends on the applicant’s academic qualifications, nationality, programme preferences, language proficiency and financial needs.
Choose Romania if You Prefer a Direct Application Route
Romania’s MFA Scholarship allows eligible non-EU candidates to apply through the government platform without first obtaining a normal home-country nomination.
However, applicants must satisfy document-authentication requirements and the relevant study-language rules.
For bachelor’s and master’s study, the 2026/27 scholarship offered Romanian-taught programmes.
Consider Azerbaijan if You Need a Broader Funding Package
Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Grant includes more explicitly defined support categories, including tuition, annual international travel, a monthly allowance and medical and immigration-related benefits.
It also supports eligible general medicine and medical residency programmes, unlike Romania’s MFA Scholarship.
However, the nomination requirement can make the scholarship difficult to access in countries with very limited nomination places.
Which Scholarship Is Easier to Win?
There is no reliable evidence that one is universally easier to win. A closely related scholarship to compare next is DAAD Study Scholarship 2027/28 for Master's Study in Germany.
Romania reported 88,798 applications in its 2026/27 round.
Azerbaijan selected 100 students from 55 countries, but candidates also faced national nomination requirements.
These figures do not provide a directly comparable acceptance rate for applicants from the same country, academic field and degree level.
Which Scholarship Fits Your Situation?
| Your priority | Scholarship to investigate |
|---|---|
| Direct online government application | Romania |
| Annual international travel support | Azerbaijan |
| Romanian-language bachelor’s or master’s study | Romania |
| English-medium master’s options | Check eligible Azerbaijan programmes |
| General medicine or medical residency | Azerbaijan |
| PhD study with Romanian supervisor agreement | Romania |
| Broad tuition, travel and allowance package | Azerbaijan |
These comparisons are based on programme structure and funding, not estimated winning probabilities.
How to Prepare for Government Scholarships in 2027
Students who missed the 2026/27 application periods can prepare for the next official announcements.
However, the new dates for these two scholarships have not yet been confirmed.
Preparing for the Romanian Government Scholarship
Prospective applicants should:
- Prepare recognised academic certificates and transcripts.
- Check document authentication and translation requirements.
- Confirm the academic grading criteria.
- Review the language of instruction for their intended degree.
- Prepare a valid passport and other official documents.
- For PhD study, investigate potential supervisors and relevant doctoral schools.
- Monitor the official Study in Romania platform.
Preparing for the Azerbaijan Government Scholarship
Prospective applicants should:
- Identify the appropriate nominating authority in their country.
- Check the programme’s age and academic requirements.
- Review the language requirements for their preferred degree.
- Prepare qualification documents and supporting evidence.
- Monitor official nomination announcements.
- For Pakistani applicants, follow HEC’s scholarship announcements.
- Check the Study in Azerbaijan website for the next call.
Other Government Scholarships Worth Monitoring
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is another government-supported programme for international students pursuing higher education in Europe.
Its application system involves participating Hungarian universities and eligible sending partners.
Students interested in Hungary should follow the next official call rather than assume a previous year’s deadlines remain valid.
Official Stipendium Hungaricum Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Which government scholarships in Europe 2026 are still open?
The Romanian Government Scholarship and Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev Grant covered in this article are closed for the 2026/27 academic year.
Students looking for current opportunities should check other official scholarship calls and their published application deadlines.
Is the Romanian Government Scholarship fully funded?
It provides tuition funding, a monthly scholarship allowance, specified fee exemptions and dormitory accommodation support under the programme’s rules.
International airfare and all personal living costs are not automatically covered.
Can I Apply for a PhD in Romania?
Yes. The Romanian MFA Scholarship supports doctoral study.
Applicants must satisfy academic admission requirements, obtain the required research-supervisor agreement and complete the applicable interview process.
Are English-Taught Master’s Degrees Available Under the Romanian MFA Scholarship?
Under the 2026/27 MFA Scholarship, bachelor’s and master’s programmes were taught in Romanian.
Foreign-language options were available at the doctoral level under specified conditions.
Is the Azerbaijan Government Scholarship Fully Funded?
The grant provides a broad package covering tuition, specified international travel, a monthly allowance, medical support and visa or registration arrangements.
Recipients should still check expenses outside the stated benefits.
Can I Apply Directly to Azerbaijan Without Nomination?
No. The Heydar Aliyev Grant requires official home-country nomination before the SIACAS stage.
What Was the Azerbaijan Scholarship Deadline in 2026?
The general first-stage deadline was April 15, 2026.
The revised second-stage information identified June 10, 2026, as the SIACAS deadline for nominated candidates.
Can Pakistani Students Apply for the Azerbaijan Government Scholarship?
Pakistani and AJK nationals were eligible under the 2026/27 HEC nomination arrangements, subject to the requirements and limited nomination places.
What Was the Azerbaijan Scholarship Deadline for Pakistan?
HEC’s domestic deadline was March 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM Pakistan time.
When Were Azerbaijan Government Scholarship 2026 Results Announced?
The government announced the completed selection process on October 12, 2026.
How Many Applicants Received Azerbaijan Scholarships?
Azerbaijan confirmed 100 selected students from 55 countries.
When Were Romanian Government Scholarship 2026 Results Announced?
The original schedule indicated results around July 15, 2026. Study in Romania announced a delay on July 16.
Applicants should consult their official accounts and individual notifications.
Can I Apply for Both Romania and Azerbaijan Government Scholarships?
Potentially, if you satisfy the separate eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Each programme has its own scholarship rules.
Are the 2027/28 Application Deadlines Confirmed?
The new application dates for these two programmes have not yet been officially established in the sources verified for this update.
Students should not treat previous deadlines as confirmed dates for the next cycle.
More Scholarships on Scholarships Central
If the Romania and Azerbaijan deadlines have passed, explore other government-funded and university-funded opportunities:
- Browse All Scholarships
- Master’s Scholarships
- PhD Scholarships
- Fully Funded Scholarships
- Scholarships Still Open in 2026
Verify the current status and deadline of each opportunity before applying.
Official Scholarship Sources
Romania
- Romanian MFA Scholarship 2026/27 Announcement
- Romanian Government Scholarship Application Portal
- Romanian Scholarship Rules and Benefits
- Study in Romania News and Updates
Azerbaijan
- Study in Azerbaijan — Financial Support
- Official 2026/27 Grant Announcement
- Study in Azerbaijan Centralized Admission Service
- Azerbaijan Government — October 2026 Selection Results
- HEC Pakistan — Azerbaijan Scholarship Programme
Final Advice: Verify the Scholarship Cycle Before Applying
The Romanian Government Scholarship and Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant offer different pathways to government-funded higher education.
Romania uses a direct application system and supports bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes, with important Romanian-language requirements at undergraduate and master’s levels.
Azerbaijan provides a broader specified package of tuition, living, travel and medical support, but applicants must first qualify through their country’s nomination process.
For the 2026/27 academic year, both scholarship application periods are closed.
Students who already applied should consult the official systems for results and enrolment instructions. Those preparing for the next cycle should monitor new government announcements and avoid relying on expired deadlines.
The best approach is to confirm the correct degree level, eligibility conditions, language requirements, nomination process and funding details before applying.
Editorial verification: November 2, 2026.