Young Cell Scheme Scholarship 2026 (EU-Funded) Opens — 37 Fully Funded Master’s Grants in Europe

The European Union Office in Kosovo and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Government of Kosovo have officially opened applications for Round XVI of the “Young Cell Scheme” (YCS) Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme. Applications are open from 9 February 2026 to 9 March 2026 (17:00) for Kosovo citizens seeking fully funded master’s studies at universities in European Union member states.

The scholarship project is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Kosovo and implemented by a consortium led by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and the Institut national du service public (France).

What the Young Cell Scheme Scholarship Offers

A total of 37 full scholarships will be awarded (number may vary depending on candidate suitability and funding).

Selected students will study a Master’s degree in EU universities, with programmes officially recognized within the national higher education system of the host country.

Distance learning programmes, non-EU institutions, and branch campuses outside the EU are not eligible.

Fields of Study (Scholarship Seats)

Applicants must apply under one of the following sectors:

• European Integration & Policy Planning — up to 14 scholarships

• Law — up to 8 scholarships

• Economy — up to 7 scholarships

• Digitalisation — up to 4 scholarships

• Engineering — up to 4 scholarships

The programme is open to both recent graduates and civil servants.

Financial Benefits (Fully Funded)

The scholarship covers nearly all major expenses:

• Tuition fees and application costs

• Monthly living allowance

• Visa expenses and health insurance

• One return international flight ticket

• English preparatory training (if required)

• IELTS test costs (or other language test if needed)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of Kosovo

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• Be fluent in English and either Albanian or Serbian

• Be born on or after 1 January 1991

Important Commitment After Selection

This is not just a study scholarship — it is a public service programme.

Selected participants must:

• Complete a training/internship in Kosovo public administration (up to 4 months) before departure

• Move abroad for studies between August–October 2026

• Finish the master’s degree

• Work in Kosovo public administration for 3 consecutive years after returning

Civil servants or candidates with relevant prior experience may be exempted from the internship phase.

Selection Process

The selection takes place in three stages:

1. Eligibility and document screening

2. Written examinations

   • English test

   • EU general knowledge

   • Verbal and numerical reasoning

3. Panel interview with academics from EU universities

Observers from the EU Office in Kosovo and Government of Kosovo may attend interviews.

Application Documents Required

Applicants must submit:

• Europass CV (in English)

• YCS Application Form

• Signed Letter of Motivation

• Self-declaration of authenticity

• Bachelor diploma and transcripts

• Valid passport/ID or proof of Kosovo citizenship

• Contact email and phone number

Incomplete applications or CVs not in Europass format will be automatically rejected.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online.

1. Register at: https://ycskosovo.org

2. Receive application documents by email

3. Complete all forms in English

4. Upload all documents in PDF format (ZIP folder)

5. Submit before deadline

If technical issues occur, hard copy submission is allowed in Prishtina.

Key Dates

• Applications Open: 9 February 2026

• Application Deadline: 9 March 2026 (17:00)

• Pre-selection results: by 14 March 2026

• Training & internship start: April 2026

• Study departure: Aug–Oct 2026

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Young Cell Scheme is designed to train future professionals for Kosovo’s public administration. Students gain a European master’s degree and international experience, then return with guaranteed career placement in government institutions.

For graduates interested in policy, governance, law, economics, or technology, this is one of the most comprehensive fully funded European scholarships currently open.

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