Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program 2026

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic funds international students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists for temporary study, research, teaching, or artistic mobility stays at Slovak institutions, covering monthly living costs, a travel allowance, and medical expense reimbursement.

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This programme runs two application rounds each year, and the round covered in the pasted content — deadline October 31, 2025 — has closed. There was also an April 30, 2026 round, which has since closed. The next confirmed deadline is October 31, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. CET, for scholarship stays during the winter semester of the 2026/2027 academic year. This guide covers the current benefit figures, exact eligibility, and how to build a strong application before that October deadline.

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Understanding This Programme’s Structure

Established in 2005 and funded directly from the Slovak state budget through the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth, this programme is explicitly built around temporary mobility rather than full-degree study — it’s not for students already enrolled full-time in a Slovak degree programme, but for scholars who want a defined stay abroad while remaining enrolled at their home institution.

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The programme runs two calls per year, roughly in spring (around April 30) and autumn (around October 31), each targeting stays in a different upcoming semester — so missing one deadline doesn’t mean waiting a full year, just until the next scheduled round roughly six months later. One structural detail worth knowing: the online application system only opens at least six weeks before each deadline, so you can’t submit an application at just any point in the year — you need to time your preparation around the actual open window, not just the closing date.

Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program Summary

Who Can Apply — By Category

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) of the Slovak Republic—funded by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and administered by SAIA, n. o.—provides international mobility scholarships to support study, research, teaching, and artistic stays.

All application files are submitted digitally through the official SAIA portal

Category 1: Master’s Students (Study Mobility: 1–2 Semesters / 4–10 Months)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed academic CV written in English or Slovak.
• Motivation Letter: A structured essay detailing your academic goals, why you selected the host Slovak university, and how the exchange integrates into your degree program.
• Detailed Study Plan: A list of courses you plan to attend at the host university in Slovakia, along with expected credit transfers (ECTS).
• Official Transcript of Records & Enrollment Proof:
  • Official transcript covering at least 2.5 years of completed university study (or Bachelor’s diploma + transcript).
  • Official certificate of enrollment issued by your home university confirming active student status.
• Two Academic Recommendation Letters: Issued and signed by university professors or senior academic teachers at your home institution.
• Official Admission / Acceptance Letter: Issued by the host public, private, or state higher education institution in Slovakia confirming the precise mobility period.

Category 2: PhD Students (Research/Study Mobility: 1–10 Months)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed academic CV including a list of publications or ongoing doctoral research outputs.
• Motivation Letter: Essay framing your doctoral trajectory and research objectives in Slovakia.
• Detailed Research / Study Program Plan: Outlining your research schedule, methodology, laboratory or library resources needed, and expected outputs during the stay.
• Official University Credentials: Scanned copy of your Master’s degree diploma/transcript and a valid confirmation of doctoral enrollment from your home university.
• One Recommendation Letter: Written by your doctoral dissertation supervisor or senior academic mentor.
• Official Acceptance Letter: Issued by a Slovak university or accredited research institution (e.g., Slovak Academy of Sciences) confirming your research stay.

Category 3: University Teachers, Researchers, & Artists (1–10 Months)

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Comprehensive academic, scientific, or artistic CV highlighting your professional trajectory.
• Detailed Teaching, Research, or Artistic Program Plan: Describing the lectures, joint research activities, or creative outputs scheduled during your stay in Slovakia.
• List of Publications or Artistic Works: Full bibliography, patents, exhibition list, or performance history.
• Official Invitation Letter: Issued by the host Slovak university, research institute, or non-commercial organization authorized to conduct R&D.

What the Programme Currently Provides

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) of the Slovak Republic provides monthly stipends, travel grants, and administrative reimbursements to cover living costs for international students, scholars, and researchers during their mobility stays.

1. Monthly Stipend Rates by Category

• Master’s Degree Students:€620 / month
  • Purpose: Direct living allowance covering local accommodation, food, and day-to-day expenses.
• PhD Students / Doctoral Candidates:€1,025.50 / month
  • Purpose: Financial support covering living expenses and research materials for the duration of the mobility stay.
• University Teachers, Researchers & Artists:
  • Without a PhD (Less than 4 years of experience): €1,025.50 / month
  • With a PhD (Less than 10 years of experience): €1,370 / month
  • With a PhD (More than 10 years of experience): €1,470 / month

2. Direct Line Travel Grant Scaling Matrix

For Master’s and PhD students, a distance-based lump-sum travel grant is awarded based on the direct line distance between the home institution/residence and the host institution in Slovakia:

3. Medical Assessment Reimbursement & Experience Rule

• Medical Costs Reimbursement: Up to €250 for non-EU/EEA citizens staying longer than 90 days to cover mandatory medical examination costs required for temporary residence permit processing.
• Professional Experience Calculation Rule:
  • Years of professional experience are calculated strictly up to the application deadline date.
  • Prior doctoral studies count towards professional experience calculations, capped at a maximum of 6 years.

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Documents to Prepare

For Students:

• CV, motivation letter, and study plan (with courses and credits).
• Two recommendation letters.
• Confirmation of student status from your home university.
• Bachelor’s diploma, if applicable.
• Acceptance letter from the host Slovak institution.
• Transcript of records, if you’ve previously received an NSP award.

For PhD Students:

• CV, motivation letter, and research/study plan.
• A recommendation letter from your dissertation supervisor specifically.
• Confirmation of PhD studies from your home institution.
• Master’s diploma and transcript.
• A list of publications or artistic activities.
• Acceptance letter from the host Slovak institution.

For University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists:

• CV and a teaching/research/artistic plan.
• Your highest academic degree diploma.
• A list of publications or artistic activities.
• Acceptance letter from the host Slovak institution.

How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Confirm your eligibility category and check the specific requirements against your circumstances — student, PhD, or professional categories each have distinct conditions.
2. Contact a Slovak university or research institution directly and secure an official invitation or acceptance letter well before the deadline — this is a required document across every category, and arranging it takes real lead time.
3. Gather and prepare your remaining documents, translating into English or Slovak wherever necessary.
4. Watch for the online application system to open at the official website, which happens at least six weeks before the stated deadline — you can’t submit before this window opens.
5. Complete the online application form, ensuring you submit only one application per call — multiple submissions in the same round aren’t permitted.
6. Upload all required documents before the deadline.
7. Click “SEND” to finalize your submission. Late or incomplete applications aren’t considered.
8. Deliver the original acceptance or invitation letter to SAIA in Bratislava within three working days after the deadline — this physical delivery step is separate from your online submission and easy to overlook.
9. If you require a visa or temporary residence permit to enter Slovakia, factor in the additional time needed for document collection, visa appointments, and processing when planning your intended start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the National Scholarship Programme currently accepting applications?

Not right now, but the next deadline is confirmed: October 31, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CET, for winter semester 2026/2027 stays. The prior round (April 30, 2026) has closed.

Is this scholarship for a full degree in Slovakia?

No. This programme is specifically for temporary mobility stays — one or two semesters for Master’s students, or 1 to 10 months for PhD students and professionals — not for those already enrolled full-time in a Slovak degree programme.

Do I need to already have an acceptance letter from a Slovak institution before applying?

Yes. Securing an acceptance or invitation letter from your host Slovak institution is a required document across every eligibility category, so this needs to be arranged well ahead of your application submission.

Can citizens of any country apply?

Yes, with one exception — the programme is open to citizens of any country except Slovakia itself.

When does the online application system actually open?

At least six weeks before each stated deadline — so for the October 31, 2026 deadline, expect the system to open around mid-September 2026. You cannot submit an application before the system opens.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official Slovak government and SAIA sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official website before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Government of the Slovak Republic.

Official Application Portal