The Estophilus Scholarship funds short research visits to Estonia for students and early-career researchers based outside the country whose work focuses on Estonia — its language, culture, history, or society. It is coordinated by the Education and Youth Board of Estonia (Harno) under the EKKAV programme. Recipients spend between 30 days and five months at an Estonian host institution, working with a local academic supervisor, and receive a monthly living stipend together with travel support.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly living stipend of €660.
- Travel compensation set by distance, from €180 (1–499 km) up to €1,100 for a round trip of 8,000+ km.
- A funded research stay of up to 5 months; final-year bachelor’s students may stay up to 2 months; the minimum period is 30 days.
- A placement at an Estonian host institution with an academic supervisor.
Eligibility
- Open to foreign nationals enrolled at a university outside Estonia.
- Final-year bachelor’s students, master’s students, doctoral students, and post-doctoral researchers.
- The research project must focus on an Estonia-specific topic — language, culture, history, or society.
- Proficiency in Estonian is an advantage but is not required.
Application process
- 1Prepare a digitally signed application form.
- 2Attach a research plan centred on Estonia, a CV, and proof of student or researcher status.
- 3Obtain a confirmation letter from an Estonian academic supervisor describing the research topic and its importance.
- 4Email the documents to rvo.dokumendid@harno.ee with the subject line “Estophilus stipendium (EKKAV)”.
- 5Await the selection decision, issued within 45 days of the application deadline.
Program timeline
annual spring application period.
March 6 – April 6
Within 45 days of the deadline
selection decisions announced.
Research visit
arranged by agreement, up to 5 months.