Call opens for the 2026 Doctoral Studies Funding Programme, Kumbaro: Support doubled!

The Ministry of Education and the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (AKKSHI) have officially opened the call for the National Programme for Funding Doctoral Studies 2026. This programme aims to strengthen scientific research in the country and financially support third-cycle students.

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that funds and support for doctoral students have doubled this year compared with last year. Particular attention is being paid to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as research with high potential for the development of the economy and public policies.

Programme structure: academic biography and industrial research

According to the official guidelines, the programme is implemented on the principle “One call – two categories – one national standard,” guaranteeing unified, transparent administrative and financial procedures for all applicants. The funding scheme is divided into two main categories: the Standard Research Doctorate, oriented toward the development of independent academic research, original projects and scientific methodologies with measurable results; and the Industrial Doctorate, a category requiring mandatory and verifiable cooperation between the Higher Education Institution (HEI) and a partner from the industrial sector, with the aim of applying research in the labour market.

Application procedure and official deadlines

Unlike ordinary individual grant schemes, the applicant and direct beneficiary of this programme is the accredited Higher Education Institution itself that offers the doctoral programme. The HEI submits the application file on behalf of the doctoral student registered with it. Applications are accepted until October 31, 2026; the full documentation is submitted at AKKSHI’s offices, and the complete documents, guides and relevant annexes have already been published on the official portal of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation.