If you have confirmed your eligibility and are ready to move, this guide walks you through the exact application process. Everything here is drawn directly from the official Study in Lithuania portal and the Education Exchanges Support Foundation's 2026 call.
If you have not yet confirmed your eligibility, start with the Lithuania Government Scholarship Requirements 2026 before reading this. The scholarship is only open to citizens of specific countries, and applying without checking that first is wasted effort.
Where to Apply: The Official Lithuania Scholarship Portal
All applications are submitted through one platform: sistema.smpf.lt
This is the official online system managed by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation. Applications submitted anywhere else are not valid. No third-party website, no university portal, no email submission.
Register your account on this platform before anything else. Do not wait until the deadline week to create your account and run into technical problems.
Do You Need Admission Before Applying?
Yes, and this is the step most people miss.
You cannot apply for the scholarship without first securing at least a pre-acceptance letter from a Lithuanian university. That letter is a required document in your scholarship application. Without it, your submission is incomplete.
This means two processes run in parallel. You apply to a Lithuanian university for admission. Once you receive the acceptance letter, you use it to complete your scholarship application on sistema.smpf.lt.
Start your university application well ahead of the scholarship deadline. If the university takes three to four weeks to process your admission and you apply the week before the scholarship closes, you will miss it.
Step by Step Application Process
Step 1: Confirm eligibility Check that your country is on the 2026 list. Eligible countries include Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Ukraine, the United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and foreign citizens of Lithuanian origin from non-EU and non-EFTA countries. Also confirm you do not already hold a Master's degree and have not previously received this scholarship.
Step 2: Choose a university and program Browse the full list of accredited institutions at studyin.lt/universities. Pick a Master's program that connects naturally to your academic background. Programs are available in English, Lithuanian, and other languages depending on the institution.
Step 3: Apply to the university Submit your application directly to the university through its own admissions portal. Each institution has its own system and timeline. Once admitted, request your official acceptance or pre-acceptance letter. It must include your full name, program name, and study period.
Step 4: Register and create your scholarship application Go to sistema.smpf.lt, create your account, and log in. Click "Create Application," select the scope "Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Degree Studies," and choose the call "Scholarships for Full-Time Master's Degree Studies 2026."
Step 5: Complete the motivation section carefully Your motivation accounts for 50% of your total selection score. Write specifically about your experience, why you chose this program and institution, and how studying in Lithuania connects to your career development. Generic motivations score poorly.
Step 6: Upload documents and submit Attach all required documents as scanned copies in JPEG, GIF, PNG, or PDF format. Everything must be in English or Lithuanian. Review carefully before submitting. Once the deadline passes, no changes are possible.
Documents Required
Acceptance or pre-acceptance letter from a Lithuanian university. Must confirm your name, the program, and your study period. If you are already enrolled in a Master's or integrated program in Lithuania, submit a confirmation letter instead, which must not be older than the spring semester of the current academic year.
One recommendation letter. Use the official format available on studyin.lt. The letter must carry a date no earlier than 6 months before your submission date. A recommendation letter without a date is invalid and will be rejected outright.
Academic transcripts. These go directly to the university for admissions purposes. The university then submits your grade average to the Foundation on your behalf. Your undergraduate average counts for the remaining 50% of your selection score.
For citizens of Lithuanian origin only: A certificate proving Lithuanian origin, issued by the Lithuanian community in your country or a competent authority such as an embassy.
All documents must be in English or Lithuanian. If your diploma or transcript is in another language, obtain a certified translation before applying.
University Applications: The Step Most People Overlook
University admissions and scholarship applications are entirely separate. Applying for the scholarship does not connect you to any university automatically.
You must apply to each institution directly through its own portal. Vytautas Magnus University uses DreamApply. Vilnius Tech uses apply.vilniustech.lt. Vilnius University has its own admissions system. Each university's deadline may fall earlier than the scholarship deadline, so check their websites first.
Give yourself at least two months before the scholarship deadline to sort out university admissions.
Key Dates for 2026
The scholarship deadline for the Full-Time Master's Degree Studies track is 20 April 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Vilnius time.
Results are expected no later than 15 June 2026.
For the Short-Term Studies track covering 2026 to 2027, monitor studyin.lt directly. If you are planning for the next cycle, calls typically open between February and April each year.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
No acceptance letter. The most common reason for disqualification. Get your university letter first.
Undated recommendation letter. An undated letter is invalid with no exceptions. Check the date before uploading.
Weak motivation section. Half your score depends on it. Writing that does not connect your background specifically to your chosen program and institution will cost you.
Documents in the wrong language. Everything must be in English or Lithuanian. Obtain certified translations if needed.
Missing the university admissions deadline. If the university has not issued your letter before the scholarship portal closes, you cannot submit.
What Happens After You Submit
Your application goes through a completeness check first. All valid applications are then assessed based on your motivation (50%) and undergraduate grade average (50%).
Bonus points apply in specific cases. Candidates applying to programs in informatics, life sciences, or engineering receive 15 extra points. Those planning to study in Lithuanian or holding a degree from a Lithuanian institution receive 2 extra points each. These are worth factoring into your program choice.
Successful applicants are notified individually by 15 June 2026. The scholarship is paid monthly through your Lithuanian university to your personal bank account.
For a full breakdown of what the scholarship covers and what living in Lithuania actually costs, see Lithuania Scholarship Benefits and Cost of Living.
