DOC // Official Journal publishes implementation mechanism for CEEPUS IV

The Government Decision establishing the legal framework for the implementation in the Republic of Moldova of the new Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS IV) was published today in the Official Journal. The decision marks the transition to a new stage of regional academic cooperation, replacing the previous CEEPUS III programme.

The new programme will become fully operational starting 1 September 2026, ensuring continuity of academic mobility for a period of seven years.

The regulation approved by the Government sets out the procedure for granting and paying scholarships to a wide range of foreign beneficiaries who choose the Republic of Moldova as a destination for study or research. These include students, master’s students and PhD candidates; researchers; as well as teaching and research-teaching staff.

An important provision of the new regulation is the exclusion from programme benefits of citizens of the Republic of Moldova who hold dual citizenship, in accordance with national citizenship legislation.

All higher education institutions in the Republic of Moldova, both public and private, may participate in CEEPUS IV, provided they offer accredited or provisionally authorised study programmes. The list of participating universities will be approved and published annually by the Ministry of Education and Research (MEC).

The technical implementation of the programme will be ensured by the National CEEPUS Office, which will operate within the MEC. It will act as the focal point for promoting the programme and informing potential applicants; evaluating applications and managing university cooperation networks; and processing and awarding scholarships in accordance with national financial regulations. The expenses necessary to support academic exchanges will be covered entirely from the state budget, within the limits of the allocations approved annually for the Ministry of Education and Research.

Upon the entry into force of this decision on 1 September 2026, the previous regulation (Government Decision No. 454/2012) will be repealed, thereby ensuring a smooth normative transition to the standards established by the Warsaw Agreement of 2023. Through this step, the Republic of Moldova consolidates its presence in the European Higher Education Area, facilitating academic integration and the exchange of good practices with Central European states.