VIAA International Cooperation Scholarships by the Latvian Government

Scholarship Overview

• Latvia offers scholarships to students, researchers and teaching staff from various countries for:

1. studies in Latvian higher education institutions,
2.  research work in Latvian higher education institutions,
3. participation in summer schools organized by Latvian higher education institutions.

 Host School(s)

• Universities in Latvia

Field(s) of Study

• Undergraduate and masters degrees
• Doctorate degrees

What does the scholarship cover?

• For Studies:

1. Bachelor and master students – LVL 350 per month;
   1. Doctorate students – LVL 470 per month.
   2. For tuition fee or for accommodation and meals.
   3. Accommodation -requests for accommodation in the international student dormitories must be submitted one month before arrival.

• For Latvian fellowships for research work: LVL 20 per day and max. LVL 120 for monthly accommodation.
• Scholarship amount for summer school: LVL 500.

How many scholarships are given?

• Limited, not stated

 Which countries are targeted?

• Citizens from countries which have signed an agreement on co-operation in education and science as well as citizens from countries that offer scholarships for Latvian students, researchers and teaching staff without formal agreements on co-operation in education and science.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

• Only citizens from countries which have signed an Agreement or offer scholarships for Latvian students can apply for the Latvian government scholarships. See the section Signed Agreements.
• Student applicants who successfully completed at least one academic year of studies (at their home HEI or in a Latvian HEI if they already have been studying in Latvia).

How to I Apply – Next Steps

Accomplish the necessary forms to apply for the Latvian scholarship for studies below:

1. Application form: ;
2. Curriculum Vitae (applicants are asked to use the Europass CV form);
3. Motivation letter;
4. Certified photocopies of diplomas, including diploma supplements (shall be submitted if the candidate has completed previous studies) or a transcript of records (shall be submitted if studies are not finished yet);
5. At least one letter of recommendation by academic staff dated not earlier than six months prior to the date of submission of the application;
6. A letter of the relevant Latvian HEI confirming the possibility to study in the chosen study program (invitation letter). Please contact the International Relations Department/Unit or Foreign Students Department/Unit of the Latvian HEI directly; List of contact persons in the Latvian HEIs:
7. Certificate or other document certifying the language proficiency required for studies;
8. Copy of passport or identity card.

 The following documents must be submitted when applying for the Latvian fellowship:

1. Application form: ;
2. Curriculum Vitae and list of scientific publications (applicants are asked to use the Europass CV form);
3. Research plan for research work in Latvia (approx. 3 pages) and motivation letter;
4. Certified photocopies of Master Diploma (including transcript) and of PhD diploma;
5. Invitation letter from the proposed Latvian HEI (please contact the International Relations Department/Unit or Foreign Students Department/Unit of the Latvian HEI directly); List of contact persons in the Latvian HEIs: ;
6. One recommendation letter (written within the past three months) from the home HEI or employer;
7. Copy of passport or identity card.

Information on how to apply for the scholarship for participation in summer schools can be found on the website of the HEI organizing the summer school session. The necessary documents:

1. Application form of the summer school;
2. Curriculum vitae;
3. Motivation letter;
4. Copies of HEI-Diploma, including transcript, or transcript of records, if studies have not been finished yet.

• All documents, which are not in Latvian or English, shall be translated into Latvian or English. All translations shall be officially certified.
• The curriculum vitae and motivation letter shall be dated and signed.
• The application form and all the enclosed documents shall be submitted in two sets.
• Any incomplete applications or applications handed in after the deadline will not be taken into consideration. Documents sent by fax or e-mail will not be accepted.
• Application dossiers for scholarships for studies at Latvian HEIs have to be sent directly to VIAA with the following exceptions: Lithuanian, Estonian, Czech and Polish candidates have to send the dossiers to the competent authorities of their countries:

 Closing Date

• May 1, 2013

How do I get more information?

• VIAA website’s useful links to information sources for foreign students in the Republic of Latvia.
• Cabinet Regulation No. 68, adopted 24 January 2012, EN “Procedures for Granting Scholarships to Foreigners” (Stipendiju pieš?iršanas k?rt?ba ?rzemniekiem, LV).
• Address: International Cooperation Programme Unit, Management and External Cooperation Department, VIAA.
• Ms Aija Jakovica
  Senior Specialist of the International Cooperation Programme Unit,Valsts izgl?t?bas att?st?bas a?ent?ra (VIAA, State Education Development Agency),Va??u iela 1, R?ga LV-1050
• Telephone: + 371 67814331,
• Email: scholarships@viaa.gov.lv