Request for Applications: Visegrad Fellowship Program

Deadline: 30-Nov-2026

The Visegrad Fellowship Program supports short-term academic mobility for doctoral students, researchers, scholars, and lecturers from Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Fellowships enable recipients to conduct research, teach or deliver academic lectures, and study collections at higher-education institutions, libraries, or archives in another Visegrad country. What Is the Visegrad Fellowship Program? The Visegrad Fellowship Program is an academic mobility initiative designed to strengthen research collaboration and knowledge exchange among the Visegrad Four (V4) countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—and Ukraine. The program provides fellowships for eligible doctoral students and academic professionals who want to undertake short-term research or other academic activities at a host institution in another V4 country.

The fellowship encourages:

- International academic collaboration - Cross-border research - Knowledge exchange - Academic networking - Researcher mobility - Cooperation between higher-education institutions - Access to specialised archives, libraries, and collections Why Does the Visegrad Fellowship Program Matter? Academic mobility allows researchers and doctoral students to access expertise, resources, collections, and academic networks that may not be available in their home countries. The Visegrad Fellowship Program helps participants: - Conduct research abroad - Develop international academic networks - Exchange knowledge with researchers and lecturers - Access specialised library and archival collections - Strengthen cooperation between academic institutions - Gain international research and teaching experience The program also contributes to stronger academic links between the V4 countries and Ukraine. Who Is Eligible? The fellowship is intended for doctoral students and researchers or lecturers from the eligible countries. Applicants must generally meet the following requirements: - Be a citizen of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Ukraine - Be a full-time doctoral student, or - Hold a doctoral degree as a researcher or lecturer - Be an independent researcher/lecturer or affiliated with an institution - Conduct the proposed academic activity at an eligible host institution in another V4 country Eligible Applicant Categories Doctoral Students Full-time doctoral students can apply to undertake research or other eligible academic activities at a host institution in another V4 country. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their doctoral status through appropriate documentation. Researchers and Lecturers Researchers and lecturers may apply if they hold a doctoral degree.

They may be:

- Independent researchers - University researchers - Higher-education lecturers - Institution-affiliated academic professionals Where Can Fellows Conduct Their Activities? Fellows must undertake their proposed activities at a host institution in a V4 country other than their own country of citizenship or residence, according to the program’s eligibility rules. Potential host institutions may provide opportunities for: - Academic research - University-level lectures - Seminars - Archival research - Library research - Study of specialised collections The host institution should be relevant to the applicant’s proposed research or academic activity. What Activities Does the Fellowship Support? The program supports several types of short-term academic mobility. Research Projects Fellows can undertake in-person research projects related to their academic field. Research activities should have a clear purpose and be connected to the expertise or resources available at the host institution. Lectures and Seminars

Eligible fellows can deliver:

- Higher-education lectures - Academic seminars - Research presentations - Other relevant academic activities These activities can facilitate knowledge sharing between the fellow and the host academic community. Archive and Library Research The fellowship can also support researchers who need to study specific collections held by: - Public archives - Libraries - Academic institutions - Other eligible research collections This is particularly relevant for research requiring access to specialised or location-specific materials. What Documents Are Required? Applicants must submit supporting documentation through the My Visegrad online application system.

Required documents include:

- Valid photo identification - Proof of doctoral status or doctoral degree - Letter of invitation from the host institution - Letter of recommendation Letter of Invitation The host institution’s invitation letter should explain the proposed fellowship activities.

It should include information about:

- The scope of the fellowship - The planned academic activities - The purpose of the visit - Expected outcomes Proof of Academic Status Applicants must provide evidence demonstrating that they meet the relevant academic eligibility requirement. For doctoral students, this means providing proof of enrollment in a doctoral program. Researchers and lecturers should provide evidence of their doctoral degree. Letter of Recommendation Applicants must provide a recommendation from an appropriate affiliated institution or relevant academic expert. The recommendation should support the applicant’s proposed fellowship and academic objectives. How to Apply Applications are submitted online through the My Visegrad system.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

- Are a citizen of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Ukraine. - Are a full-time doctoral student or hold a doctoral degree. - Meet the program’s researcher or lecturer requirements, where applicable. - Have identified an appropriate host institution in another V4 country.

Step 2: Identify a Host Institution

Find a suitable higher-education institution, archive, library, or other eligible host relevant to your proposed academic activities. The host should have the resources or exp