If you have ever considered taking your academic journey to Central Europe, Slovakia’s National Scholarship Programme (NSP) for 2026/2027 presents a compelling opportunity. The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic is a prestigious academic funding opportunity for international students, PhD candidates, researchers, university teachers, and artists who want to study, teach, research, or take part in academic stays in Slovakia. It is administered by the Slovak Academic Information Agency (SAIA) under the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic.
What the Programme Offers
The National Scholarship Programme supports academic mobility by providing financial assistance for stays in Slovakia. It covers various categories of mobility, including:
- Study stays for university students (typically one or two semesters)
- Research and teaching stays for academic staff and researchers
- Artistic stays for artists engaged in creative work
The scholarship helps cover living costs such as accommodation and food during the scholarship stay in Slovakia.
In some cases, eligible students and PhD candidates can also apply for a travel allowance that provides a lump sum payment based on the distance between their home and the host institution in Slovakia.
Who Can Apply
This programme is open to a broad range of international applicants, including:
- University students enrolled outside Slovakia who plan to study in Slovakia as part of their degree
- Master’s and PhD students who meet specific academic requirements
- University teachers and researchers invited by Slovak institutions
- Artists participating in creative or artistic stays
Applicants must be accepted or invited by a Slovak higher education institution or research organisation for their intended stay.
Financial Support Details
The scholarship provides monthly financial support to help cover living expenses during the stay. For example, in the case of university students on a study stay, the scholarship amount can be around €620 per month.
In addition to the monthly stipend, eligible applicants may receive a travel grant paid at the end of the scholarship period, depending on the distance between their home country and Slovakia.
Application Deadlines
Applications for the National Scholarship Programme are typically accepted during specific annual deadlines, such as:
- 30 April for scholarship stays in the next academic year
- 31 October for scholarship stays in the summer semester of the current academic year.
It’s important to confirm the exact dates for the current application cycle, as deadlines may vary slightly each year.
Required Documents
To complete an application successfully, applicants usually need to prepare:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter or study/research plan
- Confirmation or invitation from a Slovak host institution
- Academic transcripts or proof of enrollment
- Recommendation letters (for some categories)
- Other supporting documents as specified by the programme
Documents must be uploaded in the required format via the online application system, and translations into English or Slovak may be necessary if original documents are in another language.
Conclusion
The Slovakia National Scholarship Programme is a valuable opportunity for international students and academics seeking financial support for academic mobility in Europe. With monthly stipends, potential travel allowances, and support for a variety of academic activities, this programme enables participants to gain international experience and enhance their academic careers.
If you’re interested in studying, researching, teaching, or creating in Slovakia, this scholarship is worth exploring. Just make sure to meet the eligibility requirements and submit your application before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications for the National Scholarship Programme are submitted online through the official SAIA portal. You must first register an account, complete your profile, and then fill in the scholarship application form. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline are usually not considered, so it’s important to prepare your documents and submit early.
Apply here
Link: https://www.scholarships.sk/en/main/submit-application
