FAQ

A: Yes, you should promote your accomplishment in becoming a Visegrad scholar. Please remember to acknowledge our support in any documentation related to your scholarly activities and at any public events where you present the results and outcomes of your study/research acquired during the scholarship period. You should also use our logo to visually acknowledge the Visegrad Scholarship Program’s contribution to your study/research.

A: The second (and any further) instalments of your scholarship are transferred once the Fund receives the following via e-mail, in scanned format:

Bachelor’s / master’s scholars:

• Transcript of records with at least 30 ECTS credits obtained for the previous semester
• Confirmation of continuation/enrollment issued by the host institute for the new semester (signed by the international office/head of department)

Post-master’s scholars:

• Progress report written by the scholar and confirmed (signed) by the supervisor, detailing the interim results, conference attendances, published articles
• Confirmation of continuation of studies/research indicating the planned completion dates issued by the host.

A: No, but the Fund issues a scholarship confirmation which can be used as an enclosure to the visa application. You will receive this confirmation together with your contract copy.

A: The scholarship amounts to €3,500 per semester and is paid to each scholar’s bank account. This money is at the scholar’s full disposal and the Fund cannot cover any additional costs (visa fees, health insurance, accommodation, etc.).

A: The scholarship does not directly cover the tuition fees, but the host university/institute receives €2,000/semester for every scholar (this is on top of/parallel to the actual scholarship). For master’s studies, the host university/institute must use the lump sum to cover your tuition fees or any other administrative costs. However, if the tuition fees exceed the lump sum per semester, you are responsible for covering the remaining sum yourself. We recommend finding out about the tuition fees at the host university/institute in advance. For post-master’s scholars, the lump sum is to cover all possible costs of the host university connected with hosting a foreign scholar, e.g., publishing the scholar’s monograph, related office supplies, short-term conference costs, access to databases for research purposes, the scholar’s supervisor fee, etc..

A: The scholarship is paid in advance for each semester (5-month period) only after the host university sends to the Fund a written (scan) confirmation of your arrival. The confirmation must be issued:

• in English
• on letterhead paper of the host institution
• stating the exact date of your arrival there
• stating your status as an active, full-time student/researcher
• stating the planned month of (final) completion of your project/your placement at the host institution
• stating your application/contract number
• with the signature and stamp of the host university representative (your supervisor, the international office, or dean).

You will also need to provide us with a bank account where we can send you the scholarship funds. The bank account must belong to you personally, but can be opened in any country.

A: The scholarship contract will be mailed to your permanent (or correspondence) address after you submit the final acceptance letter (if not submitted at the time of applying) and confirming your details in our system. You will receive two copies, of which one copy should be sent back to us via post, with your signature.

A: As the results of the scholarships are usually published at the end of May, the scholarship can only start afterwards, from September/October (the fall semester of the upcoming academic year) at the earliest.

A: You should take the following steps:

1. Check your passport’s (or ID card’s) validity. If you need a visa for the host country, start the visa application as soon as possible.
2. Confirm your personal data in the system and contact your assigned project manager, following the instructions of the e-mail you received from us.
3. Inform your host university/institution about the Fund’s decision and the possible date of your arrival.

A: All applicants (approved, rejected or those on the reserve list) are notified in writing via e-mail and the results are also published on the Fund’s website 45 working days after the submission deadline at the latest.

A: You do not need to send us any documents or hard copies by post. All documents must be uploaded to our online system by the deadline.

All applicants must upload a scan of their valid national ID card or international passport. In addition to that, the following documents are required.

If applying for a bachelor’s scholarship (for V4 citizens only), you need to upload:

• A scan of your transcript of records for the last two duly terminated semesters (if applying in your first year of studies, one closed semester is enough).
• A scanned letter of acceptance from the host university/institute.

If applying for a master’s scholarship:

• A scan of your transcript of records for the last two duly terminated semesters.
• A scanned letter of acceptance from the host university/institute.

If applying for a post-master scholarship:

• A scanned letter of acceptance and approved working plan from the host university/institute.

A: There is no possibility to submit the application past the deadline. The deadline is strict and the Fund will accept no application past it.

A: Applications are submitted in our online system (http://my.visegradfund.org) by the given deadline. The system opens approximately 45 days prior to the deadline. Once you register, you have to remember your ID (the application number), since it will be used in all future communication with you, and a password which will enable you to access your application form in the future.

You must fill out all the required fields and upload all requested documents. PDF is the recommended file format for uploaded documents. If a document has more than a single page then please convert it into a multi-page PDF file.

A: Any higher-education institution (accredited in the respective country) is eligible as the potential host and so are institutes of science academies in the respective countries.

A: No, the scholarship is meant for supporting scholars already accepted (at least preliminarily) at host institutions. The admission process at the host institution is the responsibility of the applicant.

A: No. You can also study in the native language of the university. We don’t need any language certificates from you either. Please note, however, that the application form must be filled out in English.

A: The scholarship is an attendance scholarship. The scholar is expected to work on his/her study/research project at the host institution for the entire scholarship period.

A: You are obliged to inform the Fund of any other scholarship you will receive from any Member State or the European Union simultaneously with the scholarship of the International Visegrad Fund. The Fund may, based on each individual case, determine whether to uphold or withdraw its offer to the scholar.

A: No, each scholar can submit only one application to one host institution and for one study program/research project at a time (within a single deadline).

A: Yes. If your program requires admission tests or a personal interview (results of which will be known only after the deadline), you can submit proof of your application (a scan or print screen of the submitted application form) or a preliminary acceptance letter. The final acceptance letter is to be submitted before signing the contract with the Fund.

A: Yes, you can, if your previous degree (MA or equivalent) was finished in a different country.

A: Yes, you can, if your previous degree (BA or equivalent) was finished in a different country.

A: No. If you completed your previous studies in one of the V4 countries (e.g. you hold a Czech BA degree), you cannot apply for further studies in the same country (e.g. MA in Czechia) but can decide to apply in a different V4 country.

A: In the application form you will be able to choose from 25 different disciplines that cover the large majority of study fields.

A: No, we do not take into account the applicant’s age.

A: To apply for a master’s or post-master’s scholarship you don’t need an active student status, but you must have completed at least 6 semesters of higher education or hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s (BA/BSc) degree at the time of starting the scholarship. If you apply for bachelor-level scholarship to another V4 country, you must be enrolled as an active student.

A: A bachelor’s degree level is only available for the Intra-V4 scheme, i.e., citizens of one of the V4 countries studying in another V4 country. Citizens of the Eastern Partnership or Western Balkans countries can only cover studies at master’s (MA or equivalent) or post-master’s level (doctoral studies programs or independent research).

A: The artistic discipline that you are working in determines which residency program you can apply for. The following disciplines are eligible within each program:

• Performing Arts: new drama, contemporary dance, new circus, physical theatre, visual theatre, alternative theatre, performance art;
• Visual and Sound Arts: visual arts (including performance art, textile art and architecture), design (fashion, costume, jewellery, ceramics and furniture design, visual communication), music/sound (interpretation, sound installation, sound performance, composition) and video/film/new media/mixed media (including video installation);
• Visual Arts in New York: visual arts and interdisciplinary practices;
• Fashion Residency in Milan: fashion, costume design, digital art;
• Literary Residency: available for writers of fiction and non-fiction, poets, essayists, critics as well as literary translators, publicists, and journalists.

A: You should take the following steps:

• Inform your host organization about the Fund’s decision to support your residency and set the possible date of your arrival.
• Check your email inbox for the instructions sent by our project managers.
• Confirm your personal data and provide your bank account information, following the instructions detailed in the e-mail you received from us.

A: The length of a residency varies according to the type of residency:

• Visual and Sound Arts: 2 months;
• Performing Arts: 1 month;
• Visual Arts in New York: 2 months;
• Fashion Residency in Milan: 2 months;
• Literary Residency: 6 weeks (Compact Spring Edition) or 3 months (Regular Autumn Edition).

A: The Visegrad Artists Residency covers on-site residencies. Artists are expected to be present in person in the location of the host organization during the residency. Taking days of absence is permitted, but they cannot exceed approximately 15 % of the residency period.

A: For Performing Arts and Visual and Sound Arts residencies, the residency period can be split into maximum two parts upon an agreement between the artist and the host organization. Such division must be communicated towards the Fund’s representatives in advance and requires the Fund’s approval. The whole residency period must be implemented within the same calendar year.

For other residency programs, the residency period is set by the host organization, and it cannot be split.

A: The primary responsibility of the host organization is to create adequate conditions for the implementation of the approved residency project in terms of space and technical requirements. We advise applicants to consult the host organization regarding the space and technical support that they can provide in advance. The host organization is also responsible for providing the artist with the necessary support in terms of contacts with the local art scene, presentation and networking opportunities, etc. In some cases, the host organization is also responsible for arranging and covering the accommodation of the artist in residence (this is applicable to each residency program except for the Visual Arts Residency in New York and the Fashion Residency in Milan).

A: Residencies within the Visegrad Fund’s programs are not conceived as production residencies. It is not a requirement of the programs to hold premieres or exhibitions within the residency period. Work-in-progress presentations, whether open to the public or just to a professional audience, are encouraged. Please note that host organizations might have their own conditions related to public presentations. It is advisable to discuss these in advance.

A: Please remember to acknowledge the Fund’s support in any documentation related to your residency and at any public event where you present the results and outcomes of your residency. You should also use our logo to visually acknowledge the Visegrad Artists Residency Program’s contribution to your work.

A: We recommend that the host organization contacts the relevant cultural institute or embassy at their general institutional email address to inform them about the hosted artist(s)-in-residence and the public presentations that they will have. The institutes should be informed as early as possible when the dates of the residency are set.

A: For Performing Arts and Visual and Sound Arts residencies, any cultural institution registered in the respective country is eligible as the potential host.

The other residency programs work with permanent partners as host organizations receiving residents:

• Literary Residency Program: Institut umění (Arts Institute) in Prague, Czechia, Petőfi Irodalmi Múzeum (Petőfi Literary Museum) in Budapest, Hungary, Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza (Villa Decius Association) in Krakow, Poland, and Slovenské literárne centrum (Slovak Literary Centre) in Bratislava, Slovakia.
• Visual Artists Residencies in New York: International Studio & Curatorial Program, New York, NY, USA.
• Fashion Residency Program in Milan: Accademia Costume & Moda, Milan, Italy.

A: Applicants can use the Visegrad Fund's Mobility Finder to look for potential host organizations. The Fund does not provide further help; it is the applicant’s responsibility to find and reach out to the potential host organization and secure an acceptance letter if applicable.

A: The acceptance letter issued by the host organizations is a compulsory attachment to applications for the Performing Arts residency program and the Visual and Sound Arts residency program. Without an acceptance letter, the submitted application will not be considered eligible.

For the other residency programs (Literary Residency, Visual Artists Residencies in New York, Fashion Residency Program in Milan), an acceptance letter is not required.

A:

• The applicant must be a citizen of a V4 country (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) over the age of 18.
• The destination country of the residency must be different from the applicant’s citizenship and country of permanent residence.
• Applicants for group residencies (only applicable for the Performing Arts Residency Program; a group consists of 3 artists or more) may come from different V4 countries. Group members, however, must come from V4 countries other than the destination country.

A: Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of applying.

A: Applications are submitted in our online system (http://my.visegradfund.org) by the given deadline (The deadline usually falls to the 15^th of October of each year. Please visit the relevant sections of our website for more information). The system opens 30 days prior to the deadline. Once you register, you have to remember your assigned ID (application number), since it will be used in all future communication with you, and a password which will enable you to access your application form in the future.

You must fill out all the required fields and upload all requested documents. PDF is the recommended file format for uploaded attachments. If a document has more than a single page, please convert it into a multi-page PDF file or a compressed zip folder.

A: No, each applicant can submit one application only, to one host institution at a time (within a single deadline). Parallel application for the Visual and Sound Arts and either the Visual Arts in New York residency or the Fashion Residency in Milano programs (one of the two) is.

A: Yes, you can, if your previous residency was completed in a different country than where you are currently applying.

A: There is no possibility of submitting the application past the deadline. The deadline is strict, and the Fund will accept no application past it.

A: You do not need to send us any documents or printed copies by post. All documents must be uploaded to our online system electronically by the deadline.

A: Scholarships are often exempt from taxation, but different rules apply in each country. You should check your home country’s tax legislation for the specific conditions applicable to you or consult a tax advisor.

A:

• Visual and Sound Arts & Performing Arts: 90% of the support is paid at the beginning of the residency period, after the Fund has received the contract signed by the artist and the host organization. The remaining 10% of the support is paid after the residency period has finished, after the Fund has received and approved the final report written by the artist and the host organization. By default, the whole amount (lump-sum + scholarship) is transferred to the bank account of the host organization, who is obliged to transfer the scholarship to the artist without delay. If the host organization is not entitled to disburse scholarships, the Fund can pay the lump-sum and the scholarship separately. This should be requested in advance by email and requires the Fund’s approval.
• Visual Arts in New York: The scholarship is transferred to the bank account of the artist after the signed contract is delivered to the Fund.
• Fashion Residency in Milan: The scholarship is transferred to the bank account of the artist after the signed contract is delivered to the Fund.
• Literary Residency: The scholarship is transferred to the bank account of the resident stated in the contract. In the case of the 6-week residency (Compact Spring Edition), the scholarship is paid in one instalment, after the Fund receives the contract signed by the resident. In the case of the 3-month residency (Regular Autumn Edition), the scholarship is paid in two equal instalments. The first instalment is transferred when the Fund receives the contract signed by the resident. The second instalment is transferred after the first month of the residency is completed.

A: If the scholarship is paid in one tranche, the artist receives it at the beginning of the residency period, after signing the contract. If the scholarship is paid in two tranches, the first tranche will be paid once the Fund receives the signed contract. The second tranche is paid after the final report is received and approved by the Fund.

For standard literary residencies (3 months), the second tranche is paid after the completion of the first month of the residency.

A: The contract will be sent to your host organization before the start of your residency. You should sign it upon your arrival and send one copy back to the Visegrad Fund’s address. For the Visual Arts Residency in New York and the Fashion Residency in Milan, the contract will be sent directly to your (the resident’s) correspondence address before you leave for the residency.

A: The scholarship can be used to cover any direct expenses connected with the residency. The artist does not have to submit a financial settlement to report how the scholarship was spent.

A: Both the artist and the host institution are obliged to submit a narrative final report summarizing the results of the residency. The final report is only submitted electronically, by email to the Fund’s assigned project manager. You will receive the final report questionnaire from the Fund’s project manager before the beginning of the residency. A financial report does not have to be submitted.