National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic 2026 for International

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic officially known as National Scholarship Programme (NSP) of the Slovak Republic supports mobility of international students, PhD students, university teachers, researchers, and artists to Slovak higher-education institutions and research organizations. Established by the Slovak Government in 2005, the programme is financed by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth and administered by SAIA, n. o.

Scholarship Summary

• Country: Slovakia
• Provider: Government of the Slovak Republic
• Study Level: Masters, PhD
• Benefits: Fully Funded
• Deadline:
  • 30 April (16:00 CET) for academic stays in the following year (e.g., next academic year)
  • 31 October (16:00 CET) for the current academic year’s summer semester

Benefits of National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic

• Monthly living cost stipend tailored to applicant category (see above)
• Master’s-level (students): 620 EUR/month
• PhD students: 1,025.50 EUR/month
• University teachers/researchers/artists:
  • Without PhD & < 4 years experience: 1,025.50 EUR
  • With PhD & < 10 years experience: 1,370 EUR
  • With PhD & > 10 years experience: 1,470 EUR
• Travel grant (lump sum) for student and PhD categories, based on distance (details below)
• For non‑EU/EEA/Swiss scholars whose stay exceeds 90 days: reimbursement up to 250 EUR for mandatory medical clearance (public‑health certificate), upon submission of original bill to SAIA

Scholarship Requirements for National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic

• Must be non‑Slovak citizen (foreign national)
• Eligible applicants: A) Students
  • Enrolled at a university outside SlovakiaAt master’s level (second cycle), or must have completed at least 2.5 years of university studies by the deadlineAccepted for academic mobility at a Slovak higher education institutionScholarship duration: 1–2 full semesters or 1–3 trimesters (approx. 4–10 months)
  B) PhD students
  • Enrolled outside SlovakiaAccepted at a Slovak university or research institution eligible for doctoral studyDuration: 1–10 months
  C) University teachers, researchers, artists
• Restrictions:
  • Not for full-degree candidates in Slovakia (bachelor, master, PhD)
  • Not for applicants who have spent ≥15 months in Slovakia within the 36 months prior to application
  • Not for applicants funded by other public scholarships (e.g., Erasmus+, Visegrad Fund) during the same period
  • Re‑applications allowed only after a 2-year hiatus since last NSP stay (exceptions for force majeure)
• Revised terms (effective from 17 March 2025):
  • Original acceptance/invitation letter must be physically delivered to SAIA within 3 days after the application deadline (not just uploaded)

How to Apply for National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic

1. Prepare your documents:
   • Upload: Application online with required attachments (CV, motivation letter, study/research plan, recommendation letters, acceptance/invitation letter — note special delivery requirement)
   • Original acceptance/invitation: Must be delivered in hard copy to SAIA within 3 days after the application deadline
2. Submit via the online system on scholarships.sk by the specified deadline (30 April or 31 October at 16:00 CET)
3. Hosting details: Specify host institution and faculty/department via the dropdown; only use “Other” if not listed (prefer official Slovak names)
4. Application materials:
   • CV: Structured, bullet‑based (preferably Europass format)
   • Motivation letter & stay programme: Clear goals, reasons for Slovakia, value added, how outcomes will be used
   • Recommendation letters:
     • Students: 2 letters from university teachers
     • PhD applicants: 1 letter from dissertation supervisor
     • Should be personalized, on institutional letterhead, contain details of referrer, signed
5. After award:
   • If stay > 90 days and from non‑EU/EEA/Switzerland, undergo medical check and submit bill for reimbursement (≤ 250 EUR)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)