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Malta Released as periodic government / EU-funded calls — check the latest Reach High call on the Maltese education ministry portal for dates

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.

Maltese Government

Government-funded

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Support

PhD Stipend + Fees (per call)

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Level

Doctoral (MQF Level 8)

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Eligibility Basis

Residency / Malta-linked

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.