Slovak National Scholarship Programme (NSP)

The Slovak National Scholarship Programme funds mobility stays of one to ten months in Slovakia for master’s students, PhD candidates, researchers and university teachers from anywhere in the world, with no country restrictions. Master’s-level visitors receive EUR 620 per month and doctoral researchers EUR 1,025.50, comfortable amounts for Slovak living costs, with travel allowances for distant countries.

Applications run twice a year with fixed deadlines of April 30 and October 31, and the key requirement is an invitation letter from a Slovak university or Slovak Academy of Sciences institute. For students wanting a funded European research semester without a massive competition, the NSP is one of the most accessible routes on the continent.

• University students from any country invited for a mobility stay at a Slovak university during their master's-level studies.
• PhD students and doctoral candidates whose home institution is outside Slovakia.
• University teachers, researchers and artists invited by a Slovak host institution are also covered under separate categories.
• An official acceptance or invitation letter from the Slovak host university or research institute.
• The stay must fit within the program's mobility windows and cannot fund a full degree enrolled in Slovakia from the start.
• Strong academic record and a study or research plan agreed with the Slovak host.

• Monthly scholarship of EUR 620 for master's-level students and EUR 1,025.50 for PhD students and researchers.
• Freedom to arrange a mobility stay of one to ten months at any accredited Slovak university or SAS research institute.
• A simple, genuinely worldwide program with no country list, unusual for European government scholarships.
• Two application rounds every year (late April for winter semester starts, late October for summer semester starts).
• Central European living costs make the stipend comfortably sufficient in cities like Bratislava and Košice.
• Travel allowance available for scholarship holders from more distant countries.

• Online application at stipendia.sk (scholarships.sk) in Slovak or English.
• Acceptance or invitation letter from the Slovak host institution for the planned period.
• Motivation letter and a study or research program for the stay.
• Two recommendation letters for student applicants (from home-university teachers).
• Transcript or record of studies and confirmation of current enrolment (or PhD status).
• CV and passport copy.

• Contact a Slovak university department or Slovak Academy of Sciences institute and secure an invitation for your planned mobility.
• Register on the NSP portal at stipendia.sk and complete the online application in the open round.
• Deadlines are fixed twice yearly: April 30 for stays from September, and October 31 for stays from February; the next closing is October 31, 2026 at 16:00 CET.
• Upload the invitation, study plan, recommendations and transcripts before the round closes.
• Results are announced roughly six weeks after each deadline.
• On award, coordinate arrival dates and any visa needs with your Slovak host and SAIA.