Studying in Europe on a fully funded government scholarship is achievable in 2026, and Malta’s Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme is one of the most structured and credible programmes currently accepting applications. Backed by the European Union and administered by the Maltese government, this scholarship covers tuition, study expenses, and a study abroad allowance for eligible Master’s and PhD candidates. The 2026 application window closes on 5 June 2026 at noon Malta time.
This guide walks you through every practical step of the process — from checking your eligibility to submitting a competitive application.
Start Here: What Is the Malta Endeavour Scholarship?
The Malta Government Endeavour Scholarships Scheme (officially called the Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme) is a postgraduate funding programme co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027. It is administered by the Scholarships Unit within Malta’s Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. The 2026 intake is the 5th Call of the scheme, which has been running annually since 2022.
It funds postgraduate studies at:
MQF Level 7 — Master’s degree programmes, available in full-time, part-time, distance learning, and blended formats.
MQF Level 8 — PhD and doctoral programmes, available in full-time format only.
The programme’s goal is to close skills gaps in Malta’s priority economic sectors by producing a pipeline of highly qualified graduates aligned with the country’s development needs.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before spending time on documents, confirm that you fall within the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
You must be a Maltese citizen (including those temporarily abroad for work or study), an EU or EEA national with a permanent residence permit in Malta, or a non-EU national with long-term residency in Malta and a minimum of five continuous years of residence.
Foreign nationals of any background must hold a permanent residence permit — this is a non-negotiable mandatory document.
On the academic side, you must not hold a qualification at the same MQF level as the one you are applying for. If you hold a Master’s degree, you can only apply at doctoral level. If you are already enrolled in a PhD programme, you cannot apply. Your proposed programme must start and end within the dates specified in the 5th Call Regulations and must be at an institution accredited by the MFHEA or recognised through MQRIC.
Step 2: Choose Your Priority Area
The Endeavour II Scheme is sector-targeted. Your proposed study must fall within one of Malta’s officially designated priority economic areas. These have consistently included fields such as digital technology and ICT, health sciences and medical research, engineering and applied sciences, environmental sustainability, financial services, education, and social development.
Download the official 5th Call Regulations from myscholarship.gov.mt to confirm the exact list of priority areas for the 2026 cycle. Do not rely on summaries — the Regulations are the authoritative source and contain the specific priority areas, allowance tables, and documentation requirements that apply this year.
Step 3: Identify Your Universities and Programmes
In the application form, you are required to list up to five recognised institutions and programmes that match your academic and career goals. These must be eligible institutions whose programmes are accredited under the MFHEA or MQRIC framework.
The University of Malta is the primary public university and a common choice, but internationally based programmes at eligible institutions also qualify. If you are considering studying outside Malta, keep in mind that the €4,000 per year Study Abroad Allowance applies specifically to awardees placed at institutions outside Malta, so this route is financially supported.
For each institution, you will need to obtain a University Letter of Acceptance (ULA) confirming the programme name, start and end dates, ECTS workload, tuition and bench fees, and study modality. At minimum, one ULA must be submitted by the first deadline.
Step 4: Write Your Motivational Letter
The motivational letter is the most consequential written element of your application. At approximately 300 words, it must clearly and specifically explain the relevance of your proposed postgraduate study to the priority area you have selected.
The Scholarship Board states explicitly that it gives considerable weight to this section. Vague or generic letters — explaining your personal passion without connecting to Malta’s economic needs — are a known reason for rejection at the interview stage.
Write the letter with the reader in mind: a panel looking for evidence that your postgraduate research or study will contribute concretely to Malta’s skills and economic development agenda in the area you have chosen. Name the sector, explain the gap, and connect your qualifications and intentions directly to that gap.
Step 5: Gather Your Mandatory Documents
Prepare the following before you begin the online application, so you can upload everything in one session:
Motivational letter (approximately 300 words, aligned to priority area — this is mandatory). Academic transcripts and results from your most recent completed qualification. University Letter of Acceptance (ULA) from at least one eligible institution. Declaration Schedule I — downloaded from the Regulations and completed. Assistance Allowance Declaration Schedule III — downloaded from the Regulations and completed. Permanent residence permit — mandatory for all non-Maltese applicants. EU disability card, if applicable.
If any supporting documents are not available before the June deadline, you may submit them by the secondary October deadline, but only if you clearly indicate this in your original submission.
Step 6: Submit Your Online Application
Go to myscholarship.gov.mt and complete the online application form. The portal is the only accepted submission method — paper or email applications are not accepted. Submit before 5 June 2026 at 12:00 PM noon Malta local time. The scheme strongly advises against leaving submission to the final days, as portal traffic increases significantly near deadlines.
Step 7: Attend Your Interview
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview with the Scholarships Board. This interview is not optional — it is a formal stage of the selection process. Applicants who do not attend or do not pass the interview do not advance to the award stage.
Prepare for the interview by being able to speak clearly about: your academic background and motivation; how your proposed study addresses a specific gap in Malta’s priority economic sectors; why you have selected the institutions listed in your application; and how you plan to complete the programme within the required timeframe.
Step 8: Complete the Final Documentation Stage
Candidates who pass the interview proceed to submit the remaining required documents under the Endeavour II Regulations. Once this stage is complete and all documentation is verified, the scholarship is formally awarded.
After the Award: Obligations to Be Aware Of
Recipients must complete their programmes and submit evidence to the Endeavour II Office. For Master’s (Level 7) awardees, evidence of ECTS completion and programme completion must reach the Office by the end of November 2029. For PhD (Level 8) awardees, failure to complete and provide evidence by that date may result in a request by the Board to refund all payments received.
These are real financial obligations. Only apply for a programme you are confident you can complete within the required timeframe.
Contact and Official Resources
Official application portal: myscholarship.gov.mt
Scholarships Unit address: Great Siege Road, Floriana VLT 2000, Malta
Ministry: Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation
Application window: 27 April 2026 – 5 June 2026, 12:00 PM Malta local time
The Malta Government Endeavour Scholarship 2026 is a serious, government-backed, EU-co-funded opportunity for postgraduate study in Europe. If you are eligible, the financial coverage, the English-language environment, and the EU-recognised qualification framework make it one of the strongest scholarships of its kind available in 2026.
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