Václav Havel Bursary
The Václav Havel Bursary is intended for international students whose studies are hindered or prevented by repression under totalitarian, authoritarian, or other non-democratic regimes anywhere in the world. The financial support is provided directly by Charles University.
Students from countries where, according to humanitarian organisations, human rights and freedoms are being violated and where discriminatory measures restrict access to education are eligible to apply for the bursary. The bursary can only be awarded to a student who has been admitted and enrolled in a degree programme at one of the faculties of Charles University based on the standard admissions procedure.
A student submits the application to the Student Affairs Office of the Charles University faculty at which they are enrolled. As part of the application, the student must complete the Application Form and provide all required documents under Rector’s Directive (Article 2, point 3).
Subsequently, the faculty submits the student’s complete application, including all attachments, through the university’s document management system (digitally), via the Dean or a Vice‑Dean authorised by the Dean, to the Chair of the Václav Havel Bursary Board. Applications are submitted twice a year, by 31 March and 31 October of the calendar year.
Documents proving persecution may be submitted in English. However, if the documents are in less commonly used foreign languages, a certified translation into Czech is required.
As part of the preparation for studies in the Czech language, it is possible to apply for a contribution towards living expenses.
The bursary is governed by Rector’s Directive No. 56/2025 (effective from 22 December 2025), where more detailed information can also be found.
Václav Havel Bursary Board
|
prof. MUDr. Michal Vrablík, Ph.D. |
Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Chair of the Board |
|
prof. PhDr. Lenka Rovná, CSc. |
Rector’s Adviser for 4EU+ |
|
Mgr. Alena Vlasáková, DiS. |
Head of the Student Affairs Department of the Charles University Rectorate |
|
doc. JUDr. Jakub Tomšej, Ph.D. |
Secretary of the Department of Labour Law and Social Security Law, Faculty of Law |
Contacts
Kamila Verfelová
International Relations Office
Charles University Rectorate