Reach High Scholars Programme
The Reach High Scholars Programme is a Maltese government doctoral-funding initiative, historically co-financed by EU structural funds and administered through Malta's higher-education and education ministry channels. It is designed to grow Malta's research capacity by supporting PhD candidates, often with a component for periods of research abroad. Like Malta's other government schemes, Reach High is residency- and Malta-linked rather than an open international award — eligibility typically centres on candidates connected to a Maltese institution or ordinarily resident in Malta. For Sri Lankan applicants, this is best pursued once you have a PhD place and a Malta basis; it is not a general overseas-applicant scholarship. Funded amounts (stipend, fees, mobility allowance) and exact eligibility are defined per open call and EU programming round, so always read the current call document before relying on it.
Released as periodic government / EU-funded calls — check the latest Reach High call on the Maltese education ministry portal for dates
Maltese Government
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Support
PhD Stipend + Fees (per call)
Level
Doctoral (MQF Level 8)
Eligibility Basis
Residency / Malta-linked
info How this award actually works
This is a separate, highly competitive application
Government awards like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.
Who awards it
Maltese Government — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.
What it covers
Doctoral funding (stipend + fees, value set per call). Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.
Where we come in
We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Residency / Malta-Linked Basis
Reach High is framed around EU-funded eligibility and Malta connection. Sri Lankan applicants without a Maltese residency or institutional basis usually do not qualify under standard calls — confirm against the current open call before applying.
Doctoral Admission
You must hold or be securing a place on an accredited doctoral programme (MQF Level 8). A research proposal and supervisor are normally required as part of the PhD admission underpinning the scholarship.
Research Plan and Supervisor
A clear research plan with an identified supervisor strengthens both the PhD admission and the scholarship case. Some streams include funded research-abroad periods, which require a host arrangement.
Read the Specific Open Call
Stipend levels, fee coverage, mobility allowances, and eligibility differ by call and EU programming period. Because the terms are detailed and change, verify everything against the official Reach High call for your intended start date.
account_tree Application Process
Check eligibility against the open call
First confirm whether your residency and course situation qualify under the current Reach High call. Eligibility is the decisive first step for this Malta-linked scheme.
Secure a doctoral place and supervisor
Obtain or progress an offer for an accredited PhD with a named supervisor and an agreed research proposal.
Submit the Reach High application
Apply via the Maltese education ministry portal during the open call, attaching your research proposal, supervisor confirmation, transcripts, CV, and offer/enrolment evidence.
Assessment and grant agreement
Selected scholars sign a grant agreement covering stipend, fees, any mobility component, instalments, and obligations. Disbursement follows the agreement terms.
Why do a PhD in Malta?
Malta is an English-teaching EU member with a small but growing research sector and EU structural funding directed at building doctoral capacity. Government schemes like Reach High channel that funding into PhD study — strongest for candidates with a Malta residency or institutional link.
EU
Member State (EU-funded)
MQF 8
Doctoral Level
English
Language of Research
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat Malta actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for Malta, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
University of Malta Postgraduate Research Fee Waiver
L-Università ta' Malta (University of Malta)
Endeavour Scholarship Scheme
Maltese Government (ESF co-financed)
Malta Get Qualified Scheme
Government of Malta (Malta Enterprise / MFHEA)