Slovak Republic National Scholarship Programme (NSP) 2026

Slovakia, with its rich cultural heritage and growing reputation for academic excellence, offers a unique opportunity for international students, PhD candidates, researchers, and artists through its National Scholarship Programme (NSP). Established by the Government of the Slovak Republic in 2005, this programme provides fully funded scholarships for study, research, teaching, and artistic stays at Slovak higher education institutions and research organisations. With monthly stipends ranging from €620 to €1,470 plus travel grants up to €1,500, the NSP opens doors to academic and professional development in the heart of Europe. If you are exploring study opportunities in Central Europe, you should check fully funded scholarships in Slovakia for international students to understand the broader landscape of educational funding available in this dynamic country.

Overview of National Scholarship Programme 2025/2026

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic supports international mobility for students, PhD students, university teachers, researchers, and artists. The programme is financed by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and administered by SAIA, n. o. Scholarships are available for stays lasting from 1 to 10 months at public, private, and state higher education institutions, as well as eligible research organisations in Slovakia.

• Host Country: Slovak Republic

• Scholarship Provider: Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth

• Programme Administrator: SAIA, n. o.

• Degree Levels: Master’s (exchange), PhD, Postdoctoral Research, Teaching, Artistic Stays

• Scholarship Types: Fully Funded (monthly stipend + travel grant)

• Eligible Nationalities: All countries (except Slovakia)

• Application Deadlines: April 30 (for next academic year) and October 31 (for summer semester)

For students interested in comparing opportunities in neighboring countries, latest scholarships in Czech Republic for all nationalities provides another perspective on educational funding in the region.

Who Can Apply?

The NSP offers three distinct categories of scholarships, each with specific eligibility requirements.

A) Students (Master’s Level Exchange)

International students enrolled at universities outside Slovakia who have completed at least 2.5 years of their studies can apply for a study stay of 1 to 2 full semesters (4–10 months) or 1 to 3 trimesters. Applicants must be accepted by a public, private, or state higher education institution in Slovakia for an academic mobility stay.

B) PhD Students

PhD students whose higher education or scientific training takes place outside Slovakia can apply for study, research, or artistic stays lasting 1 to 10 months. They must be accepted by a Slovak higher education institution or research organisation eligible to carry out a doctoral study programme.

C) University Teachers, Researchers and Artists

University teachers, researchers, and artists invited for teaching, research, or artistic stays can apply for stays of 1 to 10 months. They must be accepted by an institution with a valid certificate of eligibility to carry out research and development in Slovakia.

Important: The programme does not support full-degree studies, applicants who have spent 15 or more months in Slovakia in the past 36 months, or those receiving funding from other public scholarship programmes.

Scholarship Benefits

The NSP provides generous monthly stipends and travel grants to cover living costs and travel expenses.

Monthly Stipend Rates

Category Monthly Stipend Master’s Student €620 PhD Student €1,025.50 University Teacher/Researcher/Artist (without PhD, less than 4 years experience) €1,025.50 University Teacher/Researcher/Artist (with PhD, less than 10 years experience) €1,370 University Teacher/Researcher/Artist (with PhD, more than 10 years experience) €1,470

Note: PhD studies count as work experience, up to a maximum of 6 years.

Travel Grant (for Students and PhD Students)

Travel grants are awarded as a lump sum based on distance between applicant’s home and host institution:

Distance Travel Grant Up to 200 km €0 200–300 km €50 300–500 km €100 500–1,000 km €250 1,000–2,000 km €350 2,000–3,000 km €500 3,000–5,000 km €750 5,000–7,000 km €1,100 Over 7,000 km €1,500

Required Documents

For Students (Category A)

• CV and motivation letter

• Detailed study programme with subjects and credits

• Two recommendation letters from university teachers

• Confirmation of student status from home institution

• Bachelor’s diploma (if applicable)

• Acceptance/invitation letter from Slovak host institution

For PhD Students (Category B)

• CV and motivation letter

• Detailed study/research/artistic programme

• Recommendation letter from dissertation supervisor

• Confirmation of PhD student status

• Master’s diploma and transcript

• List of publications

• Acceptance/invitation letter from Slovak host institution

For University Teachers/Researchers/Artists (Category C)

• CV

• Detailed teaching/research/artistic programme

• Diploma of highest academic degree

• List of publications/artistic activities

• Acceptance/invitation letter from Slovak host institution

All documents must be in Slovak or English. Original acceptance/invitation letters must be delivered to SAIA within 3 working days after the deadline.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online. The online system opens approximately 6 weeks before each deadline. Applicants must complete the online form, attach all required documents, and submit by the deadline.

Application Deadlines

• April 30 (16:00 CET) – for stays during the next academic year

• October 31 (16:00 CET) – for stays during the summer semester of the current academic year

After submission, the original acceptance/invitation letter must be delivered to SAIA, n. o., in Bratislava within 3 working days. For students managing multiple applications, list of all open scholarships in Europe helps track various opportunities with different timelines.

Selection Process

Applications that meet formal requirements are reviewed by the Selection Committee, which evaluates:

• Quality of the proposed programme and its relevance

• Applicant’s professional and personal qualities

• Study or research achievements

• Contribution to the host institution

• Overall application quality

The Committee ranks applications and recommends awards based on available budget. Results are typically announced within 8 weeks of the deadline.

Why Choose Slovakia for Your Studies

Slovakia offers international students and researchers a welcoming environment with affordable living costs, safe cities, and a central European location perfect for travel. Slovak universities are integrated into the European Higher Education Area, ensuring internationally recognized qualifications. The country’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene provide an enriching experience beyond academics. With these fully funded scholarships, Slovakia becomes an even more attractive destination for academic mobility.

Final Thoughts

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic provides exceptional opportunities for international students, PhD candidates, researchers, and artists to pursue academic and professional development in Central Europe. With generous monthly stipends, travel grants, and flexible stay durations, the NSP makes studying, researching, or teaching in Slovakia accessible to talented individuals from around the world. The April 30 and October 31 deadlines offer two application windows each year—prepare your documents, secure your invitation letter, and take the first step toward an unforgettable experience in Slovakia.

Apply Now for Slovak Republic National Scholarship Programme 2025/2026