The Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme is Malta’s longest-running government postgraduate funding programme, and its 5th Call in 2026 may be one of the most competitive yet. Co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and administered by Malta’s Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, this fully funded opportunity supports Master’s and PhD candidates in fields aligned with Malta’s national economic priorities.
The application window for the 2026 cycle is 27 April to 5 June 2026, with noon Malta local time as the hard cutoff. Here is a complete breakdown of the scheme, who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply.
The Endeavour II Scheme: Background and Purpose
The Endeavour II Scholarships Scheme was created to address a core challenge facing Malta as a small EU island economy: a skills gap between what the domestic labour market needs and what the workforce can currently provide. By funding advanced academic study at Master’s and doctoral levels, the scheme builds the pool of highly qualified professionals available to Malta’s priority sectors.
MQF Level 7 corresponds to Master’s degree-level qualifications. MQF Level 8 corresponds to PhD and doctoral-level programmes. The Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) is designed as a European translation device, meaning qualifications awarded through this framework are readable and recognised across EU member states.
The scheme’s four main objectives are: assisting people in pursuing further levels of academic research; reducing skills mismatches within priority economic sectors; supporting further research in science and technology; and increasing the capacity and level of research, innovation, and development activity in Malta.
Who Qualifies for the Endeavour II Scholarship?
The scheme is primarily directed at individuals with a demonstrable connection to Malta through citizenship or residence. Eligible applicants fall into one of these categories:
Maltese citizens, including those who have been residing outside Malta for work, study, or health purposes (the period abroad does not count against them for the residency requirement). EU and EEA nationals who hold a permanent residence permit in Malta. Third-country nationals who have been living in Malta for at least five years and have been granted long-term residence status.
For all foreign nationals regardless of EU membership, a permanent residence permit is a mandatory document in the application.
On the academic side, applicants must not already hold a qualification at the same MQF level they are applying for. Holding a Master’s degree makes you eligible to apply for a PhD scholarship but not for another Master’s. Candidates already enrolled in a PhD programme cannot apply. Programmes must start within the dates specified in the 5th Call Regulations, and all programmes must be completed by no later than 15 October 2029.
Only programmes accredited by the MFHEA or recognised through MQRIC are eligible. Applicants must provide official proof of start and end dates, ECTS workload, tuition and bench fees, and study modality through a University Letter of Acceptance (ULA).
Financial Coverage: What the Scholarship Pays For
The Endeavour II Scholarship is positioned as a fully funded scheme. For successful awardees, this translates to the following financial support:
Full tuition fee coverage is the headline benefit, removing the primary cost of postgraduate education. Additional study-related expenses are also covered, supporting the practical costs of academic work. A financial allowance may be included depending on individual circumstances.
For candidates studying at a recognised institution outside Malta, a Study Abroad Allowance of €4,000 per year is included to offset the additional costs of relocating for studies. This allowance is paid on a pro-rata basis and requires evidence of travel — specifically, boarding passes or airline confirmations showing flight dates and destination.
The scholarship also carries a notable advantage for applicants who have not sat English language proficiency exams: no IELTS is required for the Endeavour Scholarship. Malta’s academic environment is fully English-medium, and the scheme does not impose the additional burden of standardised language testing.
Priority Fields and the Motivational Letter
The Endeavour II Scheme is not open-ended in its subject coverage. Applications must demonstrate alignment with Malta’s national priority economic sectors. Applicants are required to submit a motivational letter of approximately 300 words explaining the relevance of their proposed study to the priority area they have selected from the list in the Regulations. The Scholarship Board places considerable weight on this section of the application.
Priority areas across recent calls have included digital and information technology, science and health research, engineering and technical trades, environmental sustainability, and education and social work. The 5th Call Regulations, downloadable from myscholarship.gov.mt, contain the definitive list for the 2026 cycle. Always work from the current Regulations, not from descriptions of previous calls.
Applicants identify up to five recognised institutions and programmes in the application form, ranking those they consider most appropriate for their academic goals.
Part-Time and Distance Learning: Is It Possible?
Yes, with a qualification. For MQF Level 7 (Master’s) programmes, the Endeavour II Scheme accepts full-time, part-time, distance learning, and blended learning modalities. This makes the scholarship significantly more accessible to working adults and professionals who cannot commit to full-time on-campus study.
For MQF Level 8 (doctoral) programmes, the scheme requires full-time study only. PhD candidates must be available for full-time research activity, consistent with the intensive nature of doctoral work.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
The application process for the 2026 Malta Endeavour Scholarship follows a two-stage sequence.
Stage One — Online Submission
Visit myscholarship.gov.mt and complete the online application form. The following documents are mandatory: motivational letter (~300 words on priority area relevance); academic transcripts and results from your highest completed qualification; a University Letter of Acceptance (ULA) from at least one eligible institution for the proposed programme at MQF Level 7 or 8; Declaration Schedule I (provided in the Regulations); Assistance Allowance Declaration Schedule III; and permanent residence permit for all foreign nationals.
Any supporting documents not available by 5 June 2026 may be submitted by a secondary October deadline, provided this was clearly flagged in the original submission.
Stage Two — Interview and Award
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview. Passing the interview is a prerequisite for advancing to the final document submission stage. Candidates who complete all requirements are formally awarded the scholarship.
Compliance and Completion Requirements
Awardees have responsibilities after the scholarship is awarded. For MQF Level 7 (Master’s) recipients, evidence of completed ECTS credits and successful course completion must be submitted by the end of November 2029. Failure to provide this evidence may result in remaining payments being cancelled. For MQF Level 8 (PhD) recipients, failure to demonstrate successful completion by November 2029 may lead to the Endeavour II Board requesting repayment of all funds already disbursed.
These are significant obligations, and prospective applicants should be realistic about their capacity to complete their chosen programme within the required timeframe before applying.
Summing Up
The Malta Endeavour II Scholarship 2026 is a rare combination: EU-level funding, government administration, English-language instruction, no IELTS requirement, and coverage of tuition and study expenses at a fully accredited European university. For Maltese citizens and qualifying residents, it represents one of the most financially substantial postgraduate opportunities available in 2026. Apply at myscholarship.gov.mt before 5 June 2026.
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