Slovak Republic’s National Scholarship Programme (NSP) 2025/2026

Omran Aburayya
7 days ago
3 min read

If you’re an international student or academic eager to expand your horizons through global academic and cultural exchange, the Slovak Republic’s National Scholarship Programme (NSP) 2025/2026 is now open for applications. Offered by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth, this fully funded programme enables short-term academic, research, teaching, or artistic stays at Slovak higher education and research institutions—your chance to immerse in vibrant European academia in picturesque Central Slovakia.

🎓 NSP Scholarship Summary

Location: Slovak Republic (Central Europe)
Host Institution: Accredited public, state, or private universities; Institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences; other certified research or cultural organisations
Study Level:
- Master’s students (in second-cycle studies, or with at least 2.5 years completed abroad)
- PhD candidates enrolled outside Slovakia
- University teachers, researchers, and artists invited for stays
Fields of Study: Open across all disciplines—including sciences, humanities, arts, engineering, medical, social sciences, agriculture, security, and more
Value & Coverage:
- Master’s student: €620/month
- PhD candidate: €1,025.50/month
- University teachers/researchers/artists:
  - Without PhD + <4 years experience: €1,025.50/month
  - With PhD + <10 years: €1,370/month
  - With PhD + >10 years: €1,470/month
- Travel allowance (for Master’s and PhD only): tiered based on distance (e.g., 201–300 km → €50; >7,000 km → €1,500)
Scholarship Duration:
- Master’s: 1–2 full semesters (≈ 4–10 months) or 1–3 trimesters (3–10 months)
- PhD / Academics / Researchers / Artists: up to 10 months
- Earliest start for students: 1 Sep 2025; latest completion: 31 Aug 2026
- For PhD and others: stays may extend to 30 Nov 2026
Application Deadline: 30 April 2025, 16:00 & October 31 2025 for the academic year 2025/2026,
Eligible To: International nationals (excluding Slovakia) studying or working outside Slovakia; those accepted by Slovak host institutions for mobility stays

🌍 Programme Overview

The NSP, established in 2005, is Slovakia’s flagship mobility initiative aimed at enhancing international academic cooperation. It supports short-term study, research, or creative stays for Master’s and PhD students, lecturers, researchers, and artists from around the world. Funded by the Slovak state, it underscores Slovakia’s commitment to academic diplomacy and global knowledge exchange.

Important Note: This is Not a Full Bachelor Degree Scholarship, Master Degree Scholarship or PhD Degree Scholarship. It is a short-stay visiting research or mobility scholarship.

🎁 Benefits of the NSP

Comprehensive financial support: monthly stipend covering living expenses (food, housing, day-to-day needs)
Travel grant: provided to eligible students and PhD candidates based on distance
Assistance with formalities: host institutions can help with accommodation and local administrative procedures
Short-term flexibility: ideal for academic mobility, research projects, or teaching/artistic exchanges
Multidisciplinary openness: any field of study or creative discipline is eligible

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Citizenship: Applicants must be non-Slovak nationals.
Master’s students: Enrolled in a programme outside Slovakia and either in your second-cycle studies or having completed at least 2.5 years of university-level studies. Must be accepted for a stay at a Slovak host institution.
PhD candidates: Enrolled in PhD or equivalent outside Slovakia and accepted for a research stay in Slovakia.
Teachers / Researchers / Artists: Must hold a valid invitation from a certified Slovak host institution; PhD status and relevant experience may influence stipend level
Exclusions include:
- Those enrolled in full-degree programmes in Slovakia
- Those who have stayed in Slovakia for ≥ 15 months in the past 36 months
- Applicants already funded under other Slovak public programmes (e.g., Erasmus+, bilateral funds)
Language requirement: Applicants should meet the language expectations (usually English or Slovak), as per host institution requirements

📝 Application Procedure

How to apply:

Apply online via the official NSP portal (http://www.scholarships.sk/). One submission per call
After submitting, deliver the original admission/invitation letter to SAIA (Slovak Academic Information Agency) in Bratislava

Required Documents (per category):

Common: CV, motivation letter, passport copy
Students: Study plan, 2 recommendation letters, enrollment confirmation, transcripts/diplomas, host institution invitation/admission
PhD: Research plan, recommendation (supervisor), enrollment confirmation, publications list (if available), invitation letter
Academics / Artists: Detailed work plan, highest academic diploma, publications/portfolio, invitation letter

🤔 Why You Should Apply

A unique opportunity for academic and cultural immersion in Slovakia.
Strong financial backing makes international mobility feasible and impactful.
Develop research collaborations or artistic networks across Europe.
Gain international experience and enhance your CV through short-term, fully-supported opportunities.