CALL FOR APPLICATIONSFOR THE CROATIAN SCHOLARSHIPSFOR YOUNG CHRISTIANSFROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIESThe Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia (Ministry) and the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs and European Affairs (MFEA) are awarding the Croatian Government Scholarships
for undergraduate and graduate university study to young Christians from developing countries.
The National Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Republic of Croatia for the period 20172021 (Official Gazette No. 107/17: hereinafter: National Strategy) pays particular attention to thepromotion of the interdependence of fundamental human rights, peace, security and sustainabledevelopment. Such an approach is contained within most sectoral priorities of the Croatiandevelopment cooperation policies and it is explicitly integrated into the first sectoral goal of theNational Strategy: the dignity of every human being. It implies full commitment of international
development cooperation programs and projects in achieving Sustainable Development Goals
while simultaneously promoting dignity, fundamental human rights and well-being, developing
human capabilities and realizing full potential, regardless of gender, status, affiliation, belief orplace of residence. As a specific area of this sectoral priority, the National Strategy points out theright to education, based on the principle of equality, regardless of religious, national or otheraffiliation. There is a clear link and complementarity of the promotion of fundamental human rights
in terms of protection of freedom of thought, conscience, opinion or religion with the development
cooperation policies which, in relation to this Program, aim to ensure conditions for long-termsustainable growth and development of the community and the individual through the educational
programs1.
Religious minorities, primarily Christians are one of the vulnerable groups in the world. The
Republic of Croatia has recognized this negative trend on a global scale, and within its scope ofwork in the field of the international development cooperation is committed to respect and protect
the rights of all religious groups, as the vulnerable groups in the developing countries. After

1Among the goals of the right to education as a specific area of the first sectoral priority of the National Strategy, thefollowing stand out: encouraging international exchanges in the field of education, promoting knowledge as afundamental and universal human value, promoting innovation and exchange of scientific and technologicalachievements, cultural cooperation and intercultural dialogue, encouraging inclusiveness and preventing the loss ofacquired knowledge.

1completing their studies, the scholarship holders are obliged to return to their homecountries. They are expected to contribute to the development of their communities and tobuilding capacities and strengthening resilience at the local level with their knowledge acquired in
Croatia upon return to their homelands.

STUDY LEVELS
Undergraduate university study typically lasts three to four years. Upon completion students areawarded an academic title of baccalaureus or baccalaurea with a reference to a specialization,
which qualifies a student for a specialized work in art or science. Graduate university study
typically lasts for one to two years. Upon completion of undergraduate and graduate study,
students are awarded an academic title of Magister or Magistra with reference to a specialization.

PROVISIONS COVERED BY THE SCHOLARSHIPThe awarded scholarship includes full board and lodging, a monthly allowance of 1.600 kuna, as
well as basic health insurance coverage and costs of one-year preparatory Croatian language
course. The student will be placed under supervision of the administrating chief at the dormitory
and the Department for international cooperation at the Ministry of Science and Education. The
cost of travel to and from Croatia is included.
The grant (monthly financial support) is meant to cover the living expenses for one person andthere is no available financing or visa exemption for accompanying family members or any otherpersons.

ELIGIBILITY
For the 2021/22 academic year, the scholarship is announced for the citizens of the developing
countries from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

AVAILABLE HOST INSTITUTIONS AND STUDY PROGRAMMESInformation about the Croatian higher education institutions and programs can be obtained on the
http://www.studyincroatia.hr/. The complete list of Croatian accredited academic institutions canbe found http://mzos.hr/dbApp/pregled.aspx?appName=ustanove_Z.
Selected candidates will be provided with the full academic year of Croatian language preparation
course.

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Potential candidates are invited to apply for the Scholarship by submitting their applications via
the e-mail address: razvojna.pomoc@mzo.hr.
The preliminary selection of applications will be performed by the end of May 2021.
Applicants should also submit a write-up/letter of motivation with the minimum of 250 words
concerning the first choice of study and append therewith the medical certificate of candidates.
Applicants should also submit their Curriculum Vitae (in Europass format) and a scan of their highschool or university diploma and report cards for the two previous academic years.
Applicants should attach a letter of recommendation from local parish or church community.
Applicants should submit their applications before 17 May 2021.
The results of the selection will be communicated in June 2021.

VISA APPLICATIONSThe scholarship holders requested to start your visa application process immediately after
receiving the positive decision about the scholarship. Officially, it may take 30 days until a visa isissued. In order to apply for visa to Croatia, you need to contact the competent consular office.
For more information please, contact the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and EuropeanAffairs http://www.mvep.hr/en/.
Please note that the scholarship holder status does not automatically guarantee a visa.
Enrolment procedure
The Scholarship Holders are expected to obtain their visa and arrive to Croatia no later than thedate set by the Host Institutions. The applicant who is granted the scholarship must enroll to theHost Institution in the semester in which s/he was granted admission. If s/he does not enroll within
one month after the beginning of the academic year/semester or the deadline provided by the HostInstitution, s/he will be automatically excluded from the scholarship program. Please note that theHost Institutions have the right to require students to take a medical test at the time of enrolment,
however it is free of charge for the Scholarship Holders.

Renewal of the Scholarships for full degree studies
A Scholarship for a full cycle of undergraduate (BA) or graduate (MA) in Croatia is granted for thefull duration of the study programs but the Scholarships will be renewed every year depending on
the academic success in the previous academic year. A scholarship holder must submit to theMinistry at the end of each academic year:3

1/ Proof (certificate) about the exams and obtained ECTS credits in the previous academic year.
2/ Proof (certificate) about the successful enrolment in the next academic year.

For acquired ECTS credits in one (previous) academic year:•55 or more ECTS credits - the Scholarship will be renewed for the next academic year.

•54 or less ECTS credits - the Scholarship will not be renewed for the next academic year.

Additionally, upon request of the Ministry the scholarship holder is obligated to submit to theMinistry a transcript of records or a copy of the student identification document to present his/herstudy progression (exams and obtained ECTS credits).

OBLIGATIONS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS
The scholarship holders are obligated to submit to the Ministry by e-mail the signed Letter ofAcceptance by which they accept the awarded Scholarship at least one month before thebeginning of mobility. The scholarship holders should arrange visa and similar requirements andregulate their temporary stay in Croatia by acquiring a residence permit. The scholarship holders
are strongly advised to be in regular contact with their Croatian host institutions and inform thehost institutions and the Ministry if any changes to their mobility occur. Upon arrival to Croatia,
scholarship holders should request an OIB (Personal Identification Number – Croatian TaxNumber) at the local Tax Administration Office and after that open a giro bank account at any bankand send by e-mail a scan or photo of the documents containing the OIB and IBAN to the Ministry.
Each scholarship holder is obligated to stay in Croatia throughout the scholarship program and beengaged solely in the program which has been approved by the Ministry. Absence is justified forthree (3) consecutive months (during summer) for full degree studies. In case the scholarship
holder needs to be absent for a longer period, s/he should inform the host institution and theMinistry. If the scholarship holder leaves Croatia without a valid reason and without notifying theMinistry, the Scholarship can be suspended/terminated and the grant can be reclaimed. The
scholarship holders who plan to stay in the student residence hall in Croatian cities are required
to bring the Health and Immunization Questionnaire after undergoing health examination in theirhome countries. Finally, scholarship holders should observe the Croatian legislation in force during
the period of their residence in Croatia. They must also comply with the Ministry’s instructions,
regulations concerning the residence for foreigners in Croatia and with the host institution
regulations.
After completing their studies, the scholarship holders are obliged to return to their home countries.
They are expected to contribute to the development of their communities and to building capacities
4and strengthening resilience at the local level with their knowledge acquired in Croatia upon returnto their homelands.
Travel Expenses
Travel expenses to Croatia and back to the country of origin including expenses for visa application
are covered by the scholarship package.
Entering Croatia and the COVID-19 pandemic
Before travelling to Croatia scholarship holders are advised to be sure to check if there are any
restrictions to travelling set in force by their home countries or/and Croatia that would prevent themfrom leaving their home country or from entering Croatia. The following Croatian Government
webpage koronaovirus.hr contains the latest information in connection to entering Croatia as aforeign citizen and is being continuously updated. Physical mobility remains the goal of theprogram but if it is not feasible, blended or entirely virtual mobility will be available.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ministry of Science and Education razvojna.pomoc@mzo.hr
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs razvojna.suradnja@mvep.hr

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