Tuition & Financial Support
Tuition
At CERGE-EI, students do not pay any tuition for the Czech-language program. The tuition fee for the English-language program is 1 000 CZK / academic year payable before the beginning of the academic year (by 30 September at the latest), while comparable PhD programs at Western universities typically charge tuition fee amounting to tens of thousands USD per academic year for international students. These programs offer tuition waiver to the best students only.
Financial Support for PhD students
PhD students receive stipends from Charles University and other sources from the 1st to the 4th year of study, as outlined below. The amount of financial support is based on the results of entrance examinations, academic performance and other study requirements, such as fulfilling assistantship duties. There is no need to apply separately for financial support.
Fifth-year students are typically paid a salary in the form of a CERGE-EI Junior Researcher contract, the exact amount depending on the nature of their involvement in institutional research projects.
The total support package is reviewed annually and is set at a level that enables students to afford a dormitory space, to eat in the student cafeterias, and to cover reasonable incidental expenses in Prague. The package is neither intended nor sufficient for a student to support a family while studying at CERGE-EI. The stipend is paid monthly in Czech crowns.
| 1st year – 3rd year (fall) (before DPW) |
Stipends typically range from 10,500 CZK/month (for students not fulfilling all academic requirements) to 17,000 CZK/month for outstanding students. |
| 3rd year (spring) – 4th year (after DPW) |
Stipends typically range from 12,500 CZK/month (for students not fulfilling all academic requirements) to 21,600 CZK/month for outstanding students. |
| * In addition to the standard amount, students after passing DPW could receive an Advanced Student Fellowship, such as the Graduate Teaching Fellowship, starting from 2,400 USD for one course taught. | |
First-Year Excellence Fellowship
This fellowship seeks to support outstanding future researchers from across the globe, helping them to fully focus on the rigorous MA/PhD study during their first year at CERGE-EI. After the application deadline, the Admissions Committee will choose up to three candidates for the fellowship. The amount awarded will be 4,000 CZK paid monthly on top of the regular stipend for the duration of one academic year, with the Deputy Director for Graduate Studies evaluating the awardee after each semester, to ensure satisfactory academic performance and other conditions are being met.
Second-Year Research Fellowship
The purpose of these fellowships is to facilitate the transition from coursework to dissertation research and increase the probability that students will successfully complete their studies at CERGE-EI in an expeditious manner. Eligible students receive a call for entries in the Spring. First, second and third prizes carry a fellowship in the amount of CZK 55,000, CZK 45,000 and CZK 38,000 that is paid off monthly over the fellowship duration.
Residence permit fee
CERGE-EI covers the residence permit fee for 1st-4th year full-time students if applicable.
Comprehensive Medical Insurance
All students from NON-EU countries are required to have special insurance coverage for medical expenses while in the Czech Republic. CERGE-EI covers the Comprehensive Medical Insurance for full-time 1st-4th year students. Comprehensive Medical Insurance meets the Czech residence permit requirements.
Accommodation stipend
As full-time Charles University students, some of our MA and PhD students are eligible to apply for the Charles University accommodation stipend to cover part of their living expenses.
Visegrad Scholarship Program
PhD Applicants from selected countries (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine) may apply for additional scholarships provided by Visegrad Scholarship Program.
Prague public transport pass
CERGE-EI also partly reimburses the cost of Prague public transport pass for PhD students older than 26 (the pass is substantially cheaper for younger students).
MultiSport card
CERGE-EI also partly reimburses the cost of MultiSport card which allows our PhD students to use a wide range of sports facilities in Prague.
