National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (Fully Funded)

Applications for the National Scholarship Programme (NSP) of the Slovak Republic will open on September 19, giving you ample time to secure an acceptance or invitation letter from a Slovak institution. With fewer emails flooding professors’ inboxes early in the cycle, your chances of receiving a response are higher.

This program is designed for university students (Master’s level), PhD students, university teachers, researchers, and artists from any country (except Slovakia) to pursue short-term study, research, teaching, or artistic stays at Slovak higher education institutions or research organizations. Funded by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth, the NSP is fully funded, covering living costs (e.g., accommodation, food) with monthly scholarships ranging from €620 to €1,470, plus a potential travel grant for students and PhD students.

There is no application fee, and applications are submitted online. Eligible applicants include Master’s students, PhD candidates, and professionals invited by a Slovak institution, with stays lasting 1–10 months depending on the category. Check more MS and PhD positions

Key Details

• Fields: Open to all academic disciplines, research, or artistic fields.
• Duration:
  • Students: 1–2 semesters (4–5 or 9–10 months) or 1–3 trimesters.
  • PhD students, teachers, researchers, artists: 1–10 months.
• Funding:
  • Monthly scholarship:
    • Master’s students: €620.
    • PhD students: €1,025.50.
    • Teachers/researchers/artists: €1,025.50–€1,470 (based on experience/PhD).
  • Travel grant (students/PhD only): €0–€1,500 (based on distance).
  • Medical exam reimbursement (non-EU/EEA, stays >90 days): Up to €250.
• Application Open: At least 6 weeks prior to the application deadline (19 September 2025)
• Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Application Fee: None.

Who Can Apply?

The NSP welcomes applicants from any country (except Slovakia) who meet the following criteria:

A) University Students

• Eligibility:
  • Enrolled in a university outside Slovakia at the second level of higher education (Master’s) or have completed at least 2.5 years of university studies in a similar program.
  • Accepted for a study stay at a public, private, or state higher education institution in Slovakia.
• Duration: 1–2 semesters (4–5 or 9–10 months) or 1–3 trimesters (3–4, 6–7, or 9–10 months).

B) PhD Students

• Eligibility:
  • Pursuing higher education or scientific training outside Slovakia.
  • Accepted by a Slovak higher education institution or research organization (e.g., Slovak Academy of Sciences) for a study, research, or artistic stay.
• Duration: 1–10 months.

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C) University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists

• Eligibility:
  • Invited for a teaching, research, or artistic stay by a Slovak institution with a valid certificate for research and development (not a business company).
• Duration: 1–10 months.

Important Notes:

• The NSP does not support:
  • Full-degree studies in Slovakia.
  • University teachers/researchers/artists without a PhD and with over 4 years of experience (exceptions may apply for up to 7 years in special cases).
  • Applicants who spent 15+ months in Slovakia in the last 36 months.
  • Those receiving other publicly funded scholarships (e.g., Erasmus+, Visegrad Fund).

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Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers living costs in Slovakia (e.g., food, accommodation) during the stay. Monthly amounts vary by category:

• University Students (Master’s): €620
• PhD Students: €1,025.50
• University Teachers/Researchers/Artists:
  • Without PhD and <4 years experience: €1,025.50
  • With PhD and <10 years experience: €1,370
  • With PhD and >10 years experience: €1,470

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Travel Grant

Students and PhD students can apply for a travel allowance based on the distance between their home and host institution in Slovakia:

• Up to 200 km: €0
• 201–300 km: €50
• 301–500 km: €100
• 501–1,000 km: €250
• 1,001–2,000 km: €350
• 2,001–3,000 km: €500
• 3,001–5,000 km: €750
• 5,001–7,000 km: €1,100
• Over 7,000 km: €1,500

Additional Support:

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens staying over 90 days can be reimbursed up to €250 for medical exams required for a temporary residence permit, upon submitting bills to SAIA, n.o. in Bratislava.

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How to Apply

• Applications are submitted online at www.scholarships.sk, open at least 6 weeks before the deadline.
• Submit in Slovak or English. Documents in other languages require official translations (or unofficial translations in exceptional cases, with official translations required later if approved).
• Only one application per call is allowed.

Required Documents

For University Students

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Detailed study program (including host institution, stay duration, start date, subjects, and credits)
• Two recommendation letters from university teachers (signed, with contact details, not older than 3 months)
• Confirmation of student status (not older than 3 months, including study year, program length, and expected completion date)
• Bachelor’s diploma, supplement, and state exam certificate (if applicable)
• Acceptance/invitation letter from the Slovak host institution (not older than 3 months)
• Transcript of records (if previously awarded an NSP scholarship)

For PhD Students

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Detailed study/research/artistic program (with host institution, start date, duration, and timeline)
• Recommendation letter from dissertation supervisor (not older than 3 months)
• Confirmation of PhD student status (not older than 3 months)
• Master’s diploma, supplement, and state exam certificate (if applicable)
• List of publications/artistic activities (or a statement if none)
• Acceptance/invitation letter from the Slovak host institution (not older than 3 months)

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For University Teachers/Researchers/Artists

• CV
• Detailed teaching/research/artistic program (with host institution, start date, duration, and timeline)
• Diploma of the highest academic degree
• List of publications/artistic activities
• Acceptance/invitation letter from the Slovak host institution (not older than 3 months)

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Additional Notes:

• Original acceptance/invitation letters must be sent to SAIA, n.o. (Sasinkova 10, 812 20 Bratislava) by the 3rd working day after the deadline.
• Scans of documents issued by others (e.g., recommendation letters) must be uploaded to the online application.
• In force majeure cases, unsigned documents or declarations of honor may be accepted temporarily, but official documents are required before the scholarship is awarded.