Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro Announces Over €600,000 in Funding for Doctoral Studies in 2026

The 2026 call for applications for doctoral study funding has been launched by the Ministry of Education and the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation. The budget for this year’s call is over €600,000, a significant increase from the approximately €100,000 allocated last year.
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro disclosed that the program will provide financial assistance for industrial doctorates at a maximum of €30,000 and conventional research doctorates at a maximum of €10,000.
The program is designed to simplify procedures and establish a shared framework for transparency and funding, operating under the principle of “One Call, Two Categories, One National Standard.” With the objective of enhancing scientific research and connecting it to the economy and the country’s development, innovation and STEM fields will be prioritized.
Minister Kumbaro also announced the commencement of the application process for student loans, which will be accessible to a maximum of 500 students at an interest rate of only 0.5%.
The revision of the Law on Higher Education is another critical reform priority. The initial draft is anticipated to be completed by the conclusion of October, with the objective of ensuring that university programs are in accordance with the demands of the labor market.
The University of Tirana’s inclusion in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 was also emphasized during the event, while six other Albanian universities are classified as “Reporter.”