How CEEPUS works

CEEPUS Networks

 
What is a CEEPUS network?
Our main activity is student and teacher exchange within thematic CEEPUS-networks of eligible universities. A CEEPUS network consists of a minimum of five universities from different CEEPUS partner countries. Each academic year there is a call for network applications. CEEPUS networks are selected after an intense evaluation process.
 

 
Which universities are eligible for CEEPUS?

Each academic year the CEEPUS countries nominate their list of eligible universities. Only institutions of eligible universities of our 15+ member states can participate at CEEPUS. For more information ask the local National CEEPUS Office (NCO).


 
Who can apply for a CEEPUS network?
Faculty members from CEEPUS universities apply for their institutions. One institution of the network is the network coordinator and hence responsible for the overall application. Each participating unit needs to have a main contact person that is responsible for his/her institution. A person can only serve as the main contact for a participating unit in up to four different networks and can be the main network coordinator for only one network.

 
What documents do I need for a network application?
See our Guideline for more information. Each participating unit of a network needs to upload a Letter of Intent and a Letter of Endorsment. You will find templates in the application form, once you add a contact person of a participating unit to the application.

 
What can I apply for in a network application?
You can apply for incoming scholarship months for your participating units for the upcomimg academic year. If your network is awarded, you and your partner can nominate scholars for the assigned scholarship months.

 
How can I start a network application?
If you want to start a network application or participate in an existing network, we recommend getting in contact with your local National CEEPUS Office for further first steps and support, you can also access our Guideline to the NW Application Round 2025/26.

 
When can I start a network application?
New in 2024: The call for applications has started at the end of September 2024. New Deadline for the 25/26 network applications is November 30th.

 
What will happen after a network application?

All network applications are evaluated by our experts. The final award of the successful networks is based on the overall ranking list. The assignment of the quota is fixed at the International Commission each year in February. If your network is awarded, we will inform you of the next steps afterwards.


 
What will happen when a network application is rejected?
Most of our rejected networks receive the status umbrella network. At a later stage the national CEEPUS office can assign unused scholarship months to these umbrella networks and applicants may apply for mobilities within the network.

CEEPUS Mobility Grant

 
What is a Network mobility?
This is our regular type of grant. Network mobility are students and teachers exchanged among the partner institutions of a CEEPUS network. 
 

 
How do I find an existing CEEPUS Network? 
Find out whether your institute at your home university participates in a network via the FIND section. Get in contact with the network coordinator of the funded CEEPUS network to see whether a mobility application is possible within the network and for your desired guest university. FIND section. .
 

 
What is a Freemover mobility?

If your home university or institute is not part of a CEEPUS network, you can also apply as a CEEPUS freemover in any CEEPUS country. Please note, that there is only a limited amount of freemover grants available and not all countries accept freemovers. If you want to start a freemover grant application: Get in contact with your local National CEEPUS Office for further assistance. Freemovers need to prepare the following documents prior to their application (see Download section):

Students:
One FREEMOVER letter of acceptance by the host institution

Two FREEMOVER letters of recommendation from the home institution

Teachers:

One FREEMOVER Letter of Acceptance - Teacher by the host institution


 
Who is eligible for a CEEPUS mobility grant?
Students and faculty members (i.e. the teaching, research and/or artistic staff) of a CEEPUS University that are also citizens of a CEEPUS member state. Students need to have successfully completed two semesters of a regular course of studies to be eligible, except intensive courses. Grants for studying in one´s home country are not permitted. Exchange visits for stays within one's home country (based on nationality) are possible for university teachers in most CEEPUS countries .It is recommended to ask beforehand about any restrictions in your selected CEEPUS target country.

 

Can I apply for a CEEPUS grant if I do not have the citizenship of a CEEPUS member state?

If you have a different citizenship but are enrolled or employed at a CEEPUS university, you might be eligible under special conditions. In any case you need to present an “equal status document”. For students it is a document, that proves you have the same student rights as a citizen in your country of residence, e.g. a document by your home university in a CEEPUS member state that you are fully enrolled as a regular student. Faculty members need to present a confirmation of employment at a CEEPUS university. In some CEEPUS countries this regulation is restricted to EU/EWR-citizens only.

Please note: If you are a registered student at a university of a CEEPUS country and the country is waiving the tuition fee, this might be regarded as receiving a grant according to local legislation and bar you from applying for a second grant - i.e a CEEPUS grant. Therefore, always ask your home National CEEPUS Office for further national restrictions and information before applying.

The following regulations apply for holders of "equal status" documents, refugees and stateless persons. Please have in mind that only applications for a CEEPUS grant defined in the CEEPUS agreement and its Work Programme are eligible:

  • no double grants shall be allowed (i.e. simultaneously receiving two grants in the host country)
  • students need to submit a proof of full-time student status (upload document)
  • proof of "equal status" (upload document)
  • teachers applying for a CEEPUS grant should be employed full-time by a university participating in a CEEPUS network or umbrella network.
  • students are required to apply to the National CEEPUS Offices in the country where they hold full-time student status
  • double citizenship: applicants need to decide on a citizenship when first applying and use this citizenship for all following CEEPUS applications;

 
What are the first steps for a grant application?
Please press Apply to start an application.

 
Which categories of CEEPUS mobility grants are there?

Students: scholarships for regular semester activities are awarded for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 10 months.
Short term students : Stays shorter than 3 months are only be permitted for students working on
their theses or dissertations (Master- or PhD-students) and for intensive short programs (undergraduates).
Teacher: as teacher, please always apply under ONLY THIS category, no matter for how long you want to stay
Short Term Intensive Courses (from 2025/26 on): stays for summer or winter schools, shorter than a month, may also be attended by undergraduates (after the completion of one semester.).
Short Term Excursions: students only, also undergraduates; minimium length of 3 days
Short Term University Staff (from 2025/26 on): University staff involved in CEEPUS networks; 2 to 5 working days
Short Term Network Meetings (from 2025/26 on): Contact persons from network particpating units; 1 to 3 working days

CEEPUS grants are limited to 10 months each for BA and MA cycle. 
For PhD students there is no restriction.
Teacher can apply for a maximum of 10 scholarship stays per academic year. Additional restrictions may apply in some CEEPUS countries.


 
What exactly do I have to do to obtain a teacher scholarship?
You will have to teach/supervise 6hrs for each week (5 workdays) you spend in the host country. You will have to enter the exact title and respective hrs and if possible, also the ECTS credits of your teaching activities in your mobility application prior to receiving the grant.

 
Is it possible to apply for a virtual exchange within CEEPUS?

Some of the CEEPUS member countries offer scholarships for virtual and/or hybrid exchange. Restrictions may apply. At the moment virtual exchange is possible for stays in Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.  
For detailed information, please contact the National CEEPUS Office

 
What is a typical scholarship amount?
The individual monthly grant rate depends on your host country and may vary. See the National CEEPUS Office contact information on our website for current rates.
In some CEEPUS countries scholars will get extra allowance or outgoing reimbursement for their stays. Ask the National CEEPUS Office of your guest and of your home country.

 
Which deadlines do apply? 
June 1th: network mobility applications for the following winter term
November 1st: network mobility application for the following summer term 
July 1st and November 1st: Freemover-applications, where applicable

 
What happens after the mobility application?
Depending on your type of application it will be processed and forwarded. The National CEEPUS Office of your guest country has to finally award the grant. It usually takes between two weeks and a month after your application. The current status of your grant is indicated in your CEEPUS account. 
 


 
Where can I get support to plan my stay abroad?
Please get in contact with the guest/host National CEEPUS Office in time to plan your awarded stay abroad. The Office will assist you in all questions regarding your stay (Visa, Health Insurance, Scholarship documents etc.) You will also find basic information of your host country on our website.
 

 
Who is responsible for any questions or information about my scholarship stay?
If you have any questions belonging your scholarship during your stay, please contact the National CEEPUS Office of your host country

 
How will I get my scholarship payment?
As this depends from country to country, please read the detailed information provided by the host National CEEPUS Office
 

 
Can I get a refund of my travel expanses?
That depends on the home country of your university. Please ask your National CEEPUS Office of your home country regarding possible travel refunds. For additional information also access our travel refunds overview

 
What are Mobility Report and Letter of Confirmation? 
Both documents must be filled out after your stay to complete your mobility. You can access them online on your "My CEEPUS" mobility Desktop.
The Mobility Report is online only and needs not to be signed.
The Letter of Confirmation must be printed out, signed by applicant and host-PPU (supervisor) with date plus stamp and must be uploaded in the system again.
Please be aware:
If the Letter of Confirmation has already been printed and is then changed again online, the QR code also changes and the software does not allow an upload.