The Summer Schools of Slavonic Studies (SSSS) scholarship is a fully funded language and culture programme financed by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS). Each year MEYS funds intensive Czech-language summer courses lasting roughly 3 to 4 weeks at 6 host universities across the Czech Republic, including Charles University in Prague and Poděbrady, Masaryk University in Brno, Palacký University in Olomouc, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Courses run from early July into late August 2026, with start dates staggered between the 6 locations. The scholarship covers tuition for the Czech-language course, accommodation in student dormitories, board, study materials and a programme of excursions and cultural events. Classes are streamed across the full A0 to C1 range, so both complete beginners and advanced speakers can take part. International travel, health insurance and visa fees are not covered and must be arranged by the participant. Selection runs through Czech embassies, ministries and partner institutions, and the nomination deadline is normally around 31 March 2026. Because course dates, the list of host cities and benefits are reviewed each year, confirm the exact current-cycle figures, locations and deadlines on the official MEYS page before you apply.
Applications are not made directly to the universities. Instead you apply through your local Czech embassy or designated partner institution, which nominates candidates to MEYS.
Quotas are set bilaterally, so the exact list of eligible countries and the number of places per country vary each year. Applicants must arrange their own travel health insurance, and non-EU/EEA nationals must apply for a student visa well in advance.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine, China, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Canada, Egypt, United States
Candidates are first nominated by Czech embassies or partner institutions in their home countries. MEYS and the host universities then review the nominees and confirm the final selection. Additional applicants may be placed on a waiting list as substitutes. Successful candidates receive an official invitation from the summer school to which they have been assigned; MEYS reserves the right to assign candidates to a different location if necessary.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) is the Czech government department responsible for education and international academic cooperation. Through the Summer Schools of Slavonic Studies it funds Czech-language summer courses at leading Czech universities to promote the Czech language and Slavonic studies among international students and scholars.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
It is funded by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) and delivered by 6 host universities across the Czech Republic.
Yes. It covers course tuition, dormitory accommodation, meals, study materials and a programme of excursions and cultural events.
International travel, health insurance and visa processing fees are not covered and must be arranged and paid for by the participant.
At 6 locations: Pilsen, Poděbrady, Olomouc, Prague, Brno and České Budějovice, hosted by universities such as Charles University and Masaryk University.
Each summer school runs for roughly 3 to 4 weeks between early July and late August 2026, with staggered start dates by city.
No. Classes are streamed from beginner (A0) to advanced (C1), so complete beginners and advanced speakers can both take part.
Anyone aged at least 18 with a genuine interest in Czech language, literature, history and culture, who can be nominated through a Czech embassy or partner institution.
No. Applications sent directly to a university or to MEYS without an official nomination are rejected; you must apply through the nominating body.
The nomination deadline is normally around 31 March 2026. Confirm the exact current-cycle date with your Czech embassy or partner institution.
You can express a preference, but MEYS reserves the right to assign candidates to a different location if necessary.
You can still enrol as a self-funded student; check the individual university websites for fees and details.
Non-EU/EEA applicants must apply for a Czech student visa well in advance and should arrange travel health insurance themselves.