International Visegrad Fund 2026: Grants, Scholarships and Residencies

International Visegrad Fund 2026: Grants, Scholarships and Residencies

The International Visegrad Fund is a regional donor organisation established in 2000 by the Visegrad Group countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Its mission is to support cross-border cooperation, academic mobility, and cultural exchange in Central and Eastern Europe. For Ukraine, the Fund holds particular relevance: Ukrainian organisations and researchers can participate in most programmes on equal terms with V4 partners – from grant competitions for NGOs and universities to individual scholarship schemes. In 2026, the Fund has several active calls with upcoming deadlines, and the three main grant programmes open on 1 May.

Below is a structured overview of all open and upcoming Visegrad Fund programmes, organised by type of support.

Maximum grant
up to 100,000 EUR
Programmes covered
9 programmes
Ukraine eligible
Confirmed
Nearest deadline
15 April 2026

Don’t miss a single Visegrad Fund deadline

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Grants for Organisations and Consortia

Four grant programmes for NGOs, universities, municipalities and companies – from youth mini-grants to 36-month strategic projects. The three main programmes (Visegrad Grants, Visegrad+ Grants, Strategic Grants) open on 1 May 2026.

Visegrad Grants – Standard Project Grants

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Visegrad Grants

Support for collaborative non-profit projects among organisations from V4 countries across seven thematic focus areas: education and capacity building, innovation and entrepreneurship, culture and common identity, and others. The grant covers up to 100% of project costs (including 15% overhead). Typical grant size is EUR 25,000-35,000. The consortium must include organisations from at least three V4 countries; maximum project duration is 18 months.

Grant amount: up to EUR 50,000 (typical EUR 25,000-35,000); up to 100% of costs
Who can apply: NGOs, civil society organisations, universities, municipalities, companies, research centres
Consortium: Minimum 3 organisations from 3 different V4 countries
Deadline: 1 June 2026 (opens: 1 May 2026)

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Visegrad+ Grants

Visegrad+ Grants – Projects Involving Ukraine

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Visegrad+ Grants

Support for projects contributing to democratisation and transformation processes in Eastern Partnership countries, including Ukraine, and in the Western Balkans. A simplified consortium format applies for Ukraine: one Ukrainian lead applicant and two V4 partners is sufficient. This is one of the most accessible international grant mechanisms for Ukrainian NGOs and universities. Projects must be implemented in or have a strong impact on Eastern Partnership or Western Balkans regions.

Grant amount: up to EUR 50,000 (typical EUR 25,000-35,000); up to 100% of costs
Consortium: Standard: 3xV4 + 1xEaP/WB6; for Ukraine: 1xUA + 2xV4
Who can apply: NGOs, universities, research centres, municipalities from Ukraine and V4 countries
Deadline: 1 June 2026 (opens: 1 May 2026)

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Strategic Grants

Strategic Grants – Large-Scale Regional Projects

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Strategic Grants

The Fund’s largest grant instrument for projects running up to 36 months, addressing the annual strategic priorities of the Visegrad Group. Priorities are set by the rotating V4 presidency – from July 2025 to June 2026 held by Hungary. Active cooperation from all four V4 countries is required. The grant covers up to 100% of project costs.

Grant amount: up to EUR 100,000 (typical EUR 35,000-45,000); up to 100% of costs
Consortium: Organisations from all 4 V4 countries (CZ, HU, PL, SK)
Duration: 12-36 months
Deadline: 1 June 2026 (opens: 1 May 2026)

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

V4 Gen Mini Grants

V4 Gen Mini Grants – Youth Mobility Grants (deadline April 15)

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / V4 Gen Mini Grants

Support for short-term cross-border mobility of young people aged 12 to 30 to promote democratic values, civic participation, and international dialogue. The project must involve youth from at least two V4 countries and Ukraine. Mandatory activities include at least one joint event and one public presentation (offline or online). The grant is awarded as a lump sum; implementation period is up to 7 months. The deadline is 15 April 2026 – very soon.

Grant amount: up to EUR 10,000 (lump sum)
Target audience: Youth aged 12-30 from at least 2 V4 countries and Ukraine
Deadline: 15 April 2026

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Visegrad+ and Ukraine: among all Fund programmes, Visegrad+ Grants are the most directly relevant for Ukrainian organisations – with a simplified consortium format (1 UA + 2 V4) and an explicit focus on Eastern Partnership countries. For a broader catalogue of international grants for NGOs and cross-border partnerships, visit the Grants and Funding section on GetGrant.

Scholarships and Fellowships – Individual Mobility

Programmes for Master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and researchers who are citizens of Ukraine or V4 countries and wish to study or conduct research across Central and Eastern Europe.

Visegrad Scholarship Program – Students and Researchers (deadline April 15)

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Visegrad Scholarship Program

Scholarships for Master’s and post-Master’s students (doctoral, postdoc) for study or research at more than 190 accredited higher-education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Duration is up to two semesters. Citizens and residents of Ukraine are eligible: the host institution’s country must differ from the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence, within the V4 region. The scholarship provides EUR 3,500 per semester for the scholar and EUR 2,000 per semester for the host institution. Deadline is 15 April 2026.

Scholarship amount: EUR 3,500/semester (scholar) + EUR 2,000/semester (host institution)
Duration: up to 2 semesters (Master’s or post-Master’s level)
Who can apply: Citizens/residents of CZ, HU, PL, SK, UA with a bachelor’s or master’s degree
Deadline: 15 April 2026

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Visegrad Fellowship Program

Visegrad Fellowship Program — Short Stays for PhD Researchers

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Visegrad Fellowship Program

Individual short-term stays for full-time PhD students and PhD holders, lecturers, researchers at V4 institutions in a country other than their citizenship and current residence. Stays run from 2 to 10 weeks, in person. Citizens and residents of Ukraine are confirmed as eligible alongside CZ, HU, PL, SK. The fellowship provides a lump-sum payment of EUR 500 per week, paid in two instalments.

Fellowship amount: EUR 500 per week (lump sum, 2 instalments)
Duration: 2-10 weeks (in person)
Who can apply: Full-time PhD students and PhD holders (CZ, HU, PL, SK, UA)
Deadline: 31 May 2026

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Research Grants at the Historical Archives

Research Grants at the Historical Archives of the EU (EUI, Florence)

Programme: Visegrad Fund + EUI / Research Grants at the Historical Archives of the EU

A joint programme of the Visegrad Fund and the European University Institute (EUI) for postgraduate scholars and researchers from Central and Eastern Europe. Supports research stays at the Historical Archives of the EU in Florence, Italy. Deadline is 27 April 2026.

Who can apply: Postgraduate scholars and researchers from CEE countries
Location: Florence, Italy (EUI)
Deadline: 27 April 2026

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

Scholarship at the Open Society Archives

Scholarship at the Open Society Archives (CEU Budapest)

Programme: Visegrad Fund + Blinken OSA / Scholarship at the Open Society Archives

A joint programme of the Visegrad Fund and the Blinken Open Society Archives for researchers wishing to work with archival collections at the Open Society Archives (OSA) at Central European University in Budapest. The deadline is 25 July 2026, leaving sufficient time to prepare a strong application.

Location: Budapest, Hungary (CEU / Blinken OSA)
Deadline: 25 July 2026

Learn more on the Visegrad Fund website

For researchers and students: if you are looking for academic mobility or research internship funding abroad, also consider other programmes alongside Visegrad – including Erasmus+, Marie Curie fellowships, and NAWA scholarships. A comprehensive overview of opportunities for scientists and universities in 2026 is available in the GetGrant article “Grants for Universities and Researchers 2026”.

Artist Residencies

Five residency programmes for creative professionals from V4 countries – opening in September 2026. The range covers fashion, literature, theatre, dance, visual arts, and sound arts.

Artist Residencies – Fashion, Literary, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sound Arts

Programme: International Visegrad Fund / Artist Residencies Program

Five distinct residency programmes opening simultaneously on 15 September 2026: a Fashion Residency in Milan (Accademia Costume & Moda), a Literary Residency, a Performing Artist Residency for theatre and dance, a Visual Artist Residency in New York (Brooklyn), and a Visual and Sound Artist Residency. All programmes support mobility and artistic exchange among V4 countries. Now is the best time to prepare – the calls are not yet open.

Who can apply: Artists and creative professionals – citizens of V4 countries
Call opens: 15 September 2026

All residency programmes on the Fund website

Summary Table: Visegrad Fund Programmes 2026

Programme Maximum Deadline For whom
V4 Gen Mini Grants EUR 10,000 15 April 2026 Youth 12-30, V4 + UA
Visegrad Scholarship EUR 3,500/semester 15 April 2026 MA/postgrad students, UA eligible
Research Grants at EUI 27 April 2026 Postgraduate researchers, CEE
Visegrad Fellowship EUR 500/week 31 May 2026 PhD students/holders, UA eligible
Visegrad Grants EUR 50,000 1 June 2026 NGOs, universities, businesses, V4
Visegrad+ Grants EUR 50,000 1 June 2026 NGOs/universities, UA + 2xV4
Strategic Grants EUR 100,000 1 June 2026 Consortia of all 4 V4 countries
Scholarship at OSA 25 July 2026 Researchers, archival work at CEU
Artist Residencies (5 programmes) Opens: 15 Sep 2026 Artists, citizens of V4 countries

To find V4 or EaP partners for Visegrad Grants or Visegrad+, use the guidance in the GetGrant article “Partnerships for International Grants: Where to Find Partners and How to Formalise Agreements”. A full catalogue of international grants for NGOs and organisations is available in the Grants and Funding section.

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