Council of Academic Studies of Estonian Language and Culture Abroad - Scholarship Estophilus

What the Estophilus scholarship gives you

You will receive 660 EUR per month for a research stay in Estonia lasting between 30 days and 5 months. If you are in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree, you may stay for up to 2 months. You will also receive a one-off travel allowance, the amount of which depends on the distance – ranging from around 180 EUR for short journeys to 1,100 EUR for journeys of 8,000 km or more. The money is tax-free, paid out in euros and can be combined with other funding. The scholarship is administered by the Estonian Education and Youth Board as part of the EKKAV programme, which supports research on Estonia carried out by students at foreign universities. Please note that tuition fees and visa costs are not covered.

Who can apply

• Level: You are in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree, or you are a Master’s student, a PhD student or a researcher who has already been awarded a PhD.
• Where you study or work: You are enrolled at, or employed by, a university or research institution outside Estonia.
• Research topic: Your project must focus specifically on Estonia, for example on its language, culture, history or society.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, with the exception of Estonian nationals.
• Estonian supervisor: Before you apply, you must arrange for supervision by a researcher holding a PhD at an Estonian research or educational institution.
• Estonian language: Not essential, but a little knowledge of the subject is an advantage.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email to the Committee for Education and Youth. You must submit a formal application, a research proposal, your CV, proof of your student status and a letter of confirmation from your Estonian supervisor. There are two application rounds per year, in spring and autumn. The deadline for the spring round is 15 March. A three-member committee will assess your application, and you will receive a response within approximately 45 working days after the deadline.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is awarded on a highly selective basis. Your work must be genuinely focused on Estonia, and you must have already found an Estonian supervisor before applying. This helps to weed out casual applicants. If you clearly fit the profile and submit a well-reasoned research plan, your chances are good. Securing the support of an Estonian host supervisor at an early stage and formulating precise, concrete research objectives are the key factors for the strongest applications.