If you are a postgraduate student looking for a fully funded opportunity to study in Europe, the Malta Government Endeavour Scholarships Programme 2026 deserves your serious attention. Now in its 5th Call under the Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme, this EU-backed programme is one of the most accessible and comprehensive government-funded scholarships available to both local and international students seeking Master’s and PhD-level education in an English-speaking European country.
Applications for the 5th Call opened on 27 April 2026 and the deadline is 5 June 2026 at 12:00 PM Malta local time. If you are planning a postgraduate qualification and have a connection to Malta or meet the residency requirements, this guide covers everything you need to act before the window closes.
What Is the Malta Government Endeavour Scholarships Programme?
The Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme is Malta’s flagship government postgraduate scholarship programme, co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027 and administered by the Scholarships Unit within Malta’s Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. It has been running since 2022 and has supported hundreds of postgraduate students across multiple annual calls.
The scheme supports high-quality tertiary education at MQF Level 7 (Master’s) and MQF Level 8 (PhD/Doctoral). MQF refers to the Malta Qualifications Framework, which is the national translation device that aligns Maltese qualifications with European standards, making credentials recognised across EU member states.
The core objectives of the Endeavour II Scheme are to assist individuals in pursuing higher academic research, reduce skills mismatches within priority economic sectors, support further research in science and technology, and increase the capacity and level of research, innovation, and development activity in Malta.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the Endeavour Scholarship 2026 is clearly defined. The scheme is open to:
Maltese citizens, EU and EEA nationals who hold permanent residence status in Malta, and third-country nationals who have been granted long-term residence status in Malta under the relevant subsidiary legislation and have lived in Malta for at least five continuous years prior to applying.
For foreign nationals, a permanent residence permit is mandatory and must be submitted as part of the application.
Applicants must be pursuing studies at MQF Level 7 or MQF Level 8 and must not already hold a qualification at the same level or higher. If you currently hold a Master’s degree, you are eligible to apply for a PhD scholarship but cannot apply for another Master’s or any lower postgraduate qualification. Applicants who are already enrolled in a PhD programme are also ineligible.
The programme they apply to must start within the dates stipulated in the 5th Call Regulations and end no later than 15 October 2029. Only programmes accredited and recognised by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) or through the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) are eligible.
Applicants are also required to identify up to five recognised institutions and programmes they consider most suitable, which they list in the application form.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The Malta Government Endeavour Scholarship is described as a fully funded opportunity, and its financial coverage reflects that designation. Selected awardees benefit from the following:
Tuition fees are covered in full, removing one of the most significant financial barriers to postgraduate education. Study-related expenses are also included, covering the practical costs of academic work beyond tuition. A financial allowance may be awarded depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the structure of their programme.
For awardees studying at a foreign recognised institution outside Malta, a Study Abroad Allowance of €4,000 per annum is granted to cover additional costs related to studying outside Malta. This amount is paid on a pro-rata basis and requires evidence of travel, including boarding pass or airline confirmation showing flight dates and destination.
There is no IELTS requirement for the Endeavour Scholarship, making it more accessible to international applicants who have not sat the exam.
Priority Areas and Fields of Study
The Endeavour II Scheme is not a general scholarship — it is targeted at areas of strategic importance to Malta’s economy. Applicants must demonstrate in a motivational letter of approximately 300 words how their proposed study is relevant to the selected priority area. The Scholarship Board gives considerable weight to this section.
Priority areas align with Malta’s national economic development agenda, covering sectors including science and technology, healthcare and medical research, digital economy and information technology, engineering and technical fields, education and social development, and environmental and sustainability studies. Applicants should verify the specific priority areas listed in the 5th Call Regulations on the official portal at myscholarship.gov.mt, as these are updated with each annual call.
The Application Process Step by Step
Applying for the Malta Government Endeavour Scholarship 2026 follows a structured two-stage process.
Stage 1 — Online Application: Visit the official application portal at myscholarship.gov.mt and complete the online application form. Upload all required documents by the deadline of 5 June 2026 at noon Malta time. Key mandatory documents include a motivational letter (approximately 300 words addressing relevance to a priority area), academic transcripts and results, a University Letter of Acceptance (ULA) from at least one recognised institution, a declaration form (Schedule I of the Regulations), and an Assistance Allowance Declaration (Schedule III). Foreign nationals must also upload their permanent residence permit.
Supporting documentation not available at the first deadline may be submitted by a second deadline, typically in October, but only if this was clearly indicated in the initial application.
Stage 2 — Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview. Only those who successfully pass the interview proceed to the document submission stage. Candidates who meet all requirements at this final stage are formally awarded the scholarship.
Why Malta Is a Smart Choice for European Postgraduate Study
Malta is a full EU member state with an English-language academic environment, making it one of the most internationally accessible destinations in Europe for postgraduate study. The University of Malta, the main public university on the island, holds international accreditation and is part of European academic networks. Studying in Malta means your qualification is recognised across the European Union.
Beyond the academic environment, Malta offers a Mediterranean quality of life, a compact and walkable capital in Valletta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), year-round warm weather, and a growing tech and financial services economy that provides networking and career opportunities in several of the scheme’s priority sectors.
For students from outside the EU, studying in Malta through an EU-funded scholarship provides a structured, legitimate route to academic qualification at European standards, with the additional credibility of government-backed funding.
Key Dates and Contact
The 5th Call application window is open from 27 April 2026 to 5 June 2026 at 12:00 PM (noon) Malta local time. Applications must be submitted through the official portal at myscholarship.gov.mt. The Scholarships Unit is located at Great Siege Road, Floriana VLT 2000, Malta, under the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. Do not wait until the final days to apply — the scheme advises against last-minute submissions, as the portal can experience high traffic near the deadline.
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