Alek Barović, a doctoral student at the University of Padova studying human rights, has received a prestigious scholarship for excellence from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro. Announced recently, this initiative supports 32 students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, with Barović achieving an impressive average of 9.67.
Upon being informed of his award, Barović expressed his surprise and delight, stating he was unaware of the decision at the time. He described the scholarship as one of the best initiatives in Montenegro’s history, emphasizing the importance of supporting talented students in their academic pursuits.
Details of the Scholarship Program
The scholarship was awarded following a rigorous selection process in which 58 candidates applied. Out of these, only 32 met the stringent criteria required for this recognition. The Ministry specified that recipients must be enrolled in a university ranked among the top 200 in the Shanghai Rankings. Additionally, candidates must be first-time enrollees for the academic semester, maintain a consistent academic record without any interruptions, and possess Montenegrin citizenship.
For the 2025/26 academic year, the total budget allocated for this excellence fund is €500,000. The scholarship amounts are determined based on tuition fees and living costs, which typically cover accommodation, food, health insurance, and local transportation. For doctoral students, additional expenses related to research, minor equipment, publication of academic papers, and participation in conferences are also included.
Barović remarked that this scholarship serves as an excellent means to support students who are eager to learn and excel in their fields. He noted, “Such a scholarship is not available even in much more developed countries. I hope we can all find ways to give back to our homeland and that many recipients will return to implement the knowledge gained at the best universities around the world in Montenegro, making it better and more advanced.”
Notable Recipients and Future Opportunities
Among the other awardees are students attending prestigious institutions such as UC Berkeley in the United States and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. These include Lucija Stanković, a second-year undergraduate at UC Berkeley; Aleksandar Veljović, a second-year doctoral student at Oxford; and Sofija Kaluđerović, a first-year master’s student at University College London.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation announced the scholarship program on November 24, 2025, with an application deadline set for December 5, 2025. Students have the right to appeal the scholarship decisions within eight days of the announcement posted on the Ministry’s website.
Barović concluded by thanking Minister Jakšić-Stojanović and her team for their vision and commitment to supporting students, expressing pride in the government’s initiative to invest in education and encourage academic achievement in Montenegro.
