“Atanas Bliznakoff” Scholarships for Student Excellence

Atanas and Slavka Bliznakoff established the “Atanas Bliznakoff Foundation” on April 18, 1977. At the 148th plenary session of the Council of the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje, a decision was made to establish the “Atanas Bliznakoff Foundation”, with the main goal of providing scholarships for students of the “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje.

Atanas Bliznakoff was born in 1901 in the Kostur village of D’mbeni. In 1920, he left his homeland to live and work in the United States. In 1976, he settled in Skopje and founded the “Atanas Bliznakoff Foundation”. In the United States, Bliznakoff was part of the Macedonian-American People’s Union, active in supporting Macedonia, and his foundation is the first and largest expatriate foundation.

Scholarships are awarded to full-time students enrolled in the first cycle of studies at all faculties at “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje, who have achieved exceptional results and success in the previous cycle of education. Furthermore, scholarships are awarded to those who have achievements and motivation for personal and professional development, but also who do not have sufficient funds to continue their education.

In 2021/2022, 40 high school students who enroll in the first year of studies at “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje, will each receive a scholarship of 120,000 MKD per year. The right to use the scholarship lasts as long as the conditions are regularly met, including the completion of the first cycle studies.

The “Atanas Bliznakoff Foundation” in the United States provides these scholarships with funds from interest and dividends. In 2018, a sister foundation was established in the United States, freeing up $ 5 million that had been blocked in the United States since Bliznakoff’s death in 1998.

Please click on the image below to apply: