The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova has been actively involved in awarding social scholarships funded by European grants to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and groups. By July 2026, this initiative had reached over 36,000 students nationwide, providing them with the necessary financial support to continue their education.

This support is part of the project "Interventions for Tertiary Education – Systemic Measures to Prevent and Reduce University Dropout", project code SMIS 322473. The project aims to increase access to higher education and boost retention rates among young people. One of its key interventions consists of providing social scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to support their access, participation, and retention in higher education.

Beneficiary students from the 44 participating higher education institutions across the country received full monthly scholarships. The funds allocated so far have reached nearly 157 million RON, effectively disbursed to students in the form of over 174,000 individual scholarship payments.At the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, over 1,600 scholarship payments were awarded to 320 students between March and July. Consequently, these students benefited from full monthly scholarships of 925 RON/month, totaling nearly 1.5 million RON.

In addition to financial support, students had access to 10 webinars organized between June 8 and 12, which brought together approximately 4,000 participants. The topics addressed key challenges of student life, including:

• Effective learning techniques

• Stress and time management

• Awareness of student rights and university facilities

• Preparation for graduation

Based on the questions raised during these meetings, a set of practical guides was developed as resources that students can consult at any time and at their own pace. The materials cover essential aspects of the academic journey—from time management and study organization to stress management, legal rights, and preparing the final graduation thesis. Although addressed to all students regardless of their year or field of study, they were designed primarily as additional support for social scholarship recipients and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This activity is carried out within the project "Interventions for Tertiary Education – Systemic Measures to Prevent and Reduce University Dropout", project code SMIS 322473. The project is implemented by the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and is co-funded by the European Social Fund+ through the Education and Employment Programme 2021-2027, as well as the national budget.