Latvian Governmental Scholarships 2017

Application conditions

Citizens from countries which have signed an agreement with Latvia or offer scholarships for Latvian citizens can apply for the Latvian state scholarships. 

Language of instruction at Latvian higher education institutions is mainly Latvian, however there are a few study programmes offered in English.

Applications for bachelor`s and the first level of professional higher education studies will be accepted from students who have successfully completed at least one academic year of studies (at their home higher education institution or at a Latvian higher education institution, if they already have been studying in Latvia) at the moment of application (February, March 2017).

Scholarships for bachelor`s  and master`s  studies are granted for one academic year –a time period up to 10 months (for PhD-students – up to 11 months).

Scholarship for master`s  studies in the study programmes of Latvian philology, Latvian literature, Latvian culture and Latvian history can be granted for two academic years, i.e. for the duration of master`s study programme.

If a student wants to continue her/his studies in Latvia for one more year, she/he has to re-apply for the Latvian scholarship. The Latvian scholarship can be awarded not more than for two consecutive terms to one individual.

The academic year in Latvia lasts from 1^st September to 30^th June.

Application procedure (deadline 1st April 2017)

On-line application form will be available soon. An applicant has to register in the system and make a profile with a unique login and password. After that an application form can be filled in on-line and necessary documents can be attached there as well. The system will require following documents to be uploaded:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV). Please use the Europass template
• Letter of motivation (including activities outside studies related to the study field in Latvia or in the home country, e. g. work in professional organisations, participation in scientific conferences, international projects)
• Photocopies of diplomas of higher education and supplements or a transcript of records of the last two study semesters (if studies are not completed)
• Copies of two letters of recommendation from academic staff members, signed within the last six months
• A copy of a letter of the relevant Latvian higher education institution, confirming the foreigner’s opportunity to study in the chosen study programme and informing about the language of instruction (Latvian or other EU official language). 
• Study plan for duration of the scholarship.
• A copy of a certificate or other document certifying the language proficiency required for studies
• Copy of an ID (identification document) or a passport.
• All documents, which are not in Latvian or English, shall be translated into Latvian or English.
• Any incomplete applications will not be considered.

If applicants are nominatet by a competent authority of their countries – Ministry of Education, Agency for Education etc. –, they have to contact the authority and send application documents to the authority as well, if required.

Financial provisions

• The amount of the Latvian state scholarship for studies is:
  for bachelor`s and master`s students – 500 EUR per month;
  for PhD students – 670 EUR per month.
• All study programmes in English at Latvian higher education institutions are not free of charge. The Latvian scholarship holder can use the scholarship for covering of the tuition fee or for accommodation and meals. Please take into account that the amount of the scholarship is not high enough to cover all expenses in Latvia.
• In limited numbers the host higher education institution provides the scholarship holder with a place in a students’ dormitory or a guesthouse. Requests for accommodation at the international student dormitories need be submitted one month before arriving at a respective higher education institution.
• In any month in which the foreign student is present in the territory of Latvia for less than 15 calendar days no scholarship is provided.
• The Latvian scholarship cannot be awarded concurrently with other scholarships.
• Travel expenses from a home country to and from Latvia are not covered by the Latvian scholarship.
• Scholarship holders are required to make their own arrangements for insurance coverage.
• Scholarships for applicants from one country may not exceed 10% from the total grant amount for study scholarships.

Evaluation of applications and information on results

All applications will be evaluated and the final decision on granting scholarships will be made by the evaluation committee of VIAA.

The list of accepted candidates will be published on the website of VIAA at the beginning of June 2017. All candidates will receive an official decision sent by e-mail in June 2017.

Please visit the website of the VIAA for useful links to information sources for foreign students in the Republic of Latvia.
The Latvian state scholarship has been granted according to the Cabinet Regulation No. 68, adopted 24 January 2012, “Stipendiju piešķiršanas kārtība ārzemniekiem” (“Procedures for Granting Scholarships to Foreigners”) 
Additional information on the scholarships granted by VIAA can be obtained in the International Cooperation Programme Unit, Management and External Cooperation Department, VIAA.

For more information click "Further official information" below.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.viaa.gov.lv/eng/scholarships_gov/latvian_scholarships/scholarships_for_studies/?tl_id=22800&tls_id=54779