With reference to the Cooperation Programme for the 2009-2012 in Implementation of the Cooperation Treaty between the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of Flanders signed in June 2009, Education Exchanges Support Foundation takes pleasure in offering Lithuanian state scholarships for postgraduate students, teachers, scientists and researchers of higher education and research institutions of Flanders:

1. Scholarships for short-term postgraduate studies in all fields including Lithuanian (Baltic) studies (duration of studies - 4 to 10 months per person). The total duration cannot exceed 20 months.
2. Research scholarships for postgraduate students (students of the third study cycle), teachers, scientists and other researchers (duration of one research visit cannot be shorter than 3 months). The total duration cannot exceed 6 months.
3. Scholarships for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses (2 (two) vacancies available).

PART 1. DESCRIPTION

The scholarships scheme is designed for advanced postgraduate students, teachers, scientists and other researchers of higher education and research institutions of Flanders for studies or research at state higher education and research institutions of the Republic of Lithuania. This scholarship scheme is open to applicants from all fields of studies and research. 
The scholarships are not intended for a full course of study. Normally, an academic degree or diploma cannot be obtained during the period covered by the scholarship.

PART 2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. The candidate has to be a postgraduate student (not in the final year), teacher, scientist or researcher of higher education and research institution in Flanders.
2. The candidate must have an official letter of acceptance from the host higher education and research institution in Lithuania (except for applicants of the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses).
3. Lithuanian state scholarships cannot be coupled with other grants.

PART 3. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

1. Postgraduate students of all fields except those coming for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies and  for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses will receive a monthly stipend of 1.300 Lt (approx. 377 EUR).
2. Teachers, scientists and researchers of all fields except those coming for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies and for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses will receive a monthly stipend of 2.600 Lt (approx. 753 EUR).
3. Postgraduate students approved for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies as well as for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses will receive a monthly stipend of 1.950 Lt/month (approx. 565 EUR).
4. Teachers, scientists and researchers approved for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies as well as for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses will receive a monthly stipend of 3.250 Lt/month (approx. 941 EUR).
   NB. Stipend is intended to cover scholarship holder's expenses only. Additional amounts for accompanying partners or family are not provided.
5. Tuition fee will be paid on scholarship holder's behalf by the host country.
6. Any other fees such as student union fee, library membership fee, etc. shall be paid by scholarship holder.
7. Lithuania guarantees necessary and urgent medical care services during a temporary stay in Lithuania available under EU Regulation 1408/71.
8. Accommodation costs shall be covered by the scholarship holder. Upon request, the host institution provides the scholarship holder with a place in a dormitory or a university guesthouse. Requests for accommodation in the international student dormitories must be submitted well in advance before arrival. Alternatively, foreign students and researchers may consider renting an apartment in the private sector of the city. Help with this is available from International Relations Office staff of the relevant higher education and research institution.

PART 4. LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SUMMER COURSES

In 2011 the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses will be organized at:

1. Klaipeda University: 22 July - 19 August; 
2. Vytautas Magnus University: 26 July - 19 August;
3. Vilnius Pedagogical University: 1 August  - 26 August.
   

Applicants are free to choose the university and are required to specify the level of the Lithuanian language (if any) in the application form. Applicants will be registered to the course immediately after the scholarship award is approved by the Committee of International Studies. Further and more detailed information about the courses is available at the universities' home pages indicated above.

PART 5. LITHUANIAN (BALTIC) STUDIES

5.1. Description

The Lithuanian language belongs to the Indo-European family of languages. It is one of the remaining two live Baltic languages boasting of numerous archaisms, the best-retained ancient system of sounds and a number of morphological peculiarities. The Lithuanian language courses organized by higher education and research institutions of Lithuania are intended for all applicants interested in Lithuanian or Baltic philology, Indo-European linguistics, Lithuanian literature, Lithuanian history, culture, ethnography and folklore.

5.2. Programme requirements for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies

Applicants for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies scholarship are required to design their study programme which must include subjects from two groups of study fields below:

1. First group - philology. Eligible study fields from this group are as follows: Baltic philology, Lithuanian philology, linguistics, literature.
2. Second group - history, philosophy, theology and culture. Eligible study fields from this group are as follows: Lithuanian history, ethnology and folklore, culturology.

Applicants for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies are required to aggregate the grand total of 30 ECTS (or 20 national credits) per one semester. The total credit value from study fields of both first and second groups should be not less than 22,5 ECTS (or 15 Lithuanian national credits) in one semester. Remaining 7,5 ECTS credits (or 5 Lithuanian national credits) of the programme shall be chosen from other study fields at the discretion of the applicant.

5.3. List of higher education institutions where Lithuanian (Baltic) studies can be arranged at:

1. Vilnius University;   
2. Vilnius Pedagogical University; 
3. Vytautas Magnus University; 
4. Klaipeda University; 
5. Siauliai University. 

PART 6. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

6.1. List of documents to be submitted (in the order given). Please do not put each individual document into plastic sheets or binders, see requirement 6.2.2.

1. Printed and signed online application form.
2. Official letter from the candidate's higher education and research institution approving the status of a student, teacher, scientist or researcher.
3. Transcript of academic records from the candidate's present higher education and research institution.
4. Certified copy of recent higher education diploma and transcript of academic records.
5. Two recommendation letters from home higher education and research institution (written within past six months).
6. Official letter of acceptance from the host higher education and research institution in Lithuania (except for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses applicants).
   NB1. Applicants for study scholarships - this letter must contain information on the chosen subjects and the number of credits for each subject.
   NB2. Applicants for research scholarships - this letter must contain information on the chosen field of research.
7. Detailed programme of intended studies or research (except for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses applicants).
8. Certificate of proficiency in English or Lithuanian (or another language acceptable for the host institution).
9. Certified copy of the valid identity document.

6.2. Documents must be:

1. Completed in English or Lithuanian (or with certified translations into one of these languages).
2. Submitted in two (2) identical sets (one original set and one copy of the original set). Every set must be put into plastic sheet or envelope.
3. Typed and printed (handwritten documents will not be accepted).

All copies must be clearly authorized as true copies of original documents by the issuing institution or a Notary Public (NP).
Printed and signed online application form with additional documents mentioned in part 6.1. has to be sent by post.
Documents submitted only online, sent by fax or e-mail will not be accepted. Incomplete applications or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

PART 7. IMPORTANT DATES

1st of April, 2011 - deadline for online application submission. Online Application System will be closed at 12.00 Central European time (GMT+1).

Printed and signed online application form tohether with additional documents must be sent by ordinary or registered post to the Flemish Government Education and Training Department  by 1st of April 2011, date as per postmark. Applications postmarked after the deadline will not be considered.

The final decision on the award, based on recommendations of the Committee for International Studies, rests with the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. Awarded candidates will be informed personally by email and notification will be published on the website http://www.smpf.lt/scholarships2011 by:

• 1st of June, 2011 - notification of the results for the Lithuanian language and culture summer courses;
• 1st of July, 2011 - notification of the results for study, research scholarships and Lithuanian (Baltic) studies scholarships.

PART 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The study or research visits must take place from September 2011 to June/July 2012. The autumn semester in higher education and research institutions of Lithuania normally lasts from September until January and spring semester - from February until June.
• Information about studies and research possibilities for foreigners is available at Lithuanian institutions of higher education and research. The list of state higher education and research institutions of the Republic of Lithuania can be found on the website http://www.aikos.smm.lt/aikos/institutions.htm.
• In order to arrange a study or research visit in Lithuania and receive an official letter of acceptance, a candidate is advised to contact directly the International Office of the chosen Lithuanian higher education institution.