Fully Funded Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Programme 2025

The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (NSP) is one of Europe’s most respected academic mobility schemes. Established in 2005 by the Government of Slovakia, it is funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport and administered by SAIA (Slovak Academic Information Agency). The programme was created to foster international cooperation, support academic exchange, and strengthen research and innovation capacity within Slovakia and beyond.

Over the years, thousands of scholars from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe have benefited from this initiative, gaining valuable experience in Slovakia’s growing academic and research environment.

The 2025/2026 cycle continues this tradition by providing fully funded scholarships for international students, PhD candidates, researchers, university teachers, and artists who wish to spend 1–10 months in Slovakia.

Objectives of the Programme

  • Promote academic mobility and strengthen ties between Slovak universities and global institutions.

  • Support internationalization of Slovak higher education.

  • Develop cross-cultural exchange, exposing Slovak students and faculty to global perspectives.

  • Enhance research capacity, particularly in science, technology, engineering, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

  • Encourage cultural and artistic collaboration, making Slovakia a hub not only for academics but also for creatives.

Scholarship Benefits

The NSP covers the full cost of living and research in Slovakia. Benefits vary by applicant category:

1. For Students (Master’s Level and Above)

  • Monthly stipend: €620.

  • Travel grant: Based on distance from the applicant’s home country (ranges from €0 to €1,500+).

  • Accommodation support: While not directly paid, many Slovak universities offer dormitory housing at discounted rates for NSP scholars.

2. For PhD Students

  • Monthly stipend: €1,025.50.

  • Travel grant: Similar to above, scaled according to home country.

  • Research resources: Access to Slovak libraries, labs, archives, and faculty mentorship.

3. For University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists

  • Monthly stipend: €1,025.50 to €1,470, depending on qualifications (PhD, Associate Professor, Professor).

  • Travel grant: Provided based on international distance.

  • Project support: Includes studio access for artists, teaching facilities for lecturers, and labs for researchers.

Example: A Nigerian PhD student coming to Comenius University in Bratislava for 6 months will receive €1,025.50 per month + a travel allowance (approx. €1,000–1,200 depending on airline costs).

Slovak Republic National Scholarship

Programme structure & purpose

The NSP supports the mobility of non-Slovak students (master’s and PhD levels), university teachers, researchers and artists for short to medium-term stays (typically 1–10 months) at accredited Slovak host institutions. The programme is intended primarily to cover living and research costs; tuition fee waivers are not the NSP’s standard component, though individual universities may agree separate fee arrangements with awardees.

Key components of the funding package

  • Monthly living allowance: paid to scholarship holders to cover accommodation, food, local transport and day-to-day expenses. Typical monthly rates are: €620 for master’s students, €1,025.50 for PhD students, and €1,025.50 to €1,470 for university teachers/researchers/artists depending on qualification and years of experience.

  • Travel grant: a one-time contribution towards international travel/visa costs (amounts vary by distance/origin and are specified in the call).

  • Research/project support: for eligible PhD and research projects, modest additional support for laboratory fees, fieldwork or conference participation may be available depending on the host and the project justification.

  • Administrative & integration support: the SAIA office and host international offices help with arrival formalities, registration and local orientation; original admission/invitation documentation must be submitted to SAIA after award.

Important: the NSP stipend is meant to cover living and project costs — it is not primarily a tuition scholarship. If you need full tuition support, check whether your host institution offers additional fee waivers or whether other Slovak governmental calls apply.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Students

  • Must be enrolled in a master’s programme (second cycle) or equivalent abroad.

  • Must have completed at least 2.5 years of university education at the time of application.

  • Eligible to apply for 1–2 semester stays (4–10 months) in Slovakia.

2. PhD Students

  • Must be enrolled as full-time PhD candidates outside Slovakia.

  • Can apply for short-term research mobility (1–10 months) to carry out part of their dissertation or research.

3. University Teachers, Researchers, Artists

  • Must hold an academic, research, or artistic appointment outside Slovakia.

  • Must be invited by a Slovak university, research center, or artistic institution.

  • Eligible for 1–10 months mobility, depending on project scope.

General Rules

  • Nationality: Open to citizens of all countries except Slovak nationals.

  • Language proficiency: Applicants should have good command of English or Slovak.

  • Host confirmation: A signed letter of acceptance from a Slovak institution is mandatory.

Eligible Fields of Study and Research

The NSP is open to all academic disciplines, including:

  • Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology).

  • Engineering and ICT.

  • Medicine and health sciences.

  • Social sciences (politics, sociology, economics).

  • Humanities (history, philosophy, linguistics).

  • Arts and creative studies (fine arts, music, theatre, design).

  • Agriculture and environmental sciences

Application Process (Step-by-Step, Detailed)

Step 1: Research & Identify Host Institution

  • Browse Slovak universities and research institutes (Comenius University, Slovak University of Technology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, etc.).

  • Contact professors, departments, or international offices.

  • Request a host confirmation letter (without this, your application is incomplete).

Step 2: Prepare Application Documents

  • Online application form

  • CV (Europass format recommended).

  • Motivation letter / Study plan / Research proposal (clear objectives, methodology, timeline).

  • Proof of enrollment (for students and PhD candidates).

  • Diplomas and transcripts.

  • Two recommendation letters from professors or supervisors.

  • Passport copy.

  • Invitation/host confirmation letter from Slovak institution.

Step 3: Submit Application Online

  • Upload all required documents on the NSP portal.

  • Ensure documents are translated into English or Slovak if originally in another language.

Step 4: Evaluation & Selection

  • Applications reviewed by academic panels appointed by the Ministry.

  • Evaluation based on academic merit, project quality, feasibility, and impact.

  • Priority may be given to applicants from underrepresented regions.

Step 5: Award Notification

  • Successful applicants receive an award letter with stipend details, duration, and reporting requirements.

Timeline for 2025/2026

  • March 24, 2025 – Online portal opens.

  • May 2025 – First application deadline (for the winter semester).

  • Autumn 2025 (October–November) – Second round deadline (for the summer semester).

  • September 2025 – July 2026 – Study and research stays.

Life as an NSP Scholar in Slovakia

  • Accommodation: Most universities provide dormitories at low rates; private rentals are also available.

  • Cost of Living: Lower than Western Europe — €600–€800/month is enough in most cities.

  • Cities: Bratislava (capital, modern), Košice (student-friendly, cultural hub), Nitra, Žilina, and Banská Bystrica are common study destinations.

  • Language: While Slovak is the national language, many universities offer English-taught programmes for international scholars.

Tips for a Successful Application

  • Start early: Contact Slovak supervisors at least 3–4 months before the deadline.

  • Craft a strong research/study plan: Show clear objectives, realistic timeline, and measurable outcomes.

  • Personalize your motivation letter: Explain why Slovakia is essential for your academic journey.

  • Secure strong recommendations: Ask professors familiar with your academic work.

  • Highlight mutual benefits: Show how your presence will benefit both Slovakia and your home country.

  • Double-check documents: Applications often fail because of incomplete uploads or untranslated papers.

Conclusion

The NSP 2025 is an excellent, well-structured route for short-term and semester-length mobility to Central Europe with reliable monthly support and travel assistance. Its main strengths are broad disciplinary coverage, clear administrative channels (SAIA), and realistic stipend levels that reflect local costs. To maximize your chance of success: start contacting hosts early, prepare a concise, evidence-based project plan, secure strong references, and submit all documents on time via the official portal.

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