The Slovak government, located in Central Europe, has launched the Slovakia National Scholarship Programme (NSP) with the goal of offering financial support to international students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists. This program provides a unique opportunity for scholars worldwide to engage in academic mobility at Slovak institutions.
Enhancing Academic Mobility in Slovakia
Introduced in 2005, the National Scholarship Programme is funded by Slovakia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport. According to reports from SAID Scholarships, this initiative encourages global academic mobility by offering financial assistance to scholars interested in studying or conducting research at Slovak higher education institutions. This program aims to foster international collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.
Eligibility Criteria
The Slovak NSP is open to applicants from around the globe, offering opportunities to scholars who meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
For Master’s Students:
- Applicants must be enrolled in a university outside Slovakia, either in their second level of higher education or have completed at least 2.5 years of undergraduate studies in a related field.
- The applicant must secure admission at a Slovak institution for academic mobility, with scholarships lasting between one to two full semesters or one to three trimesters.
Learn more about eligibility for master’s students at the National Scholarship Programme official site.
For PhD Candidates:
- Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program outside Slovakia and accepted for research or artistic mobility at a Slovak institution.
- Their stay can last from one to ten months.
For University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists:
- Individuals from these categories need to have an invitation from a Slovak institution to teach or engage in research activities.
- The scholarship duration for university teachers, researchers, and artists also ranges from one to ten months.
Benefits
One of the key advantages of the Slovak National Scholarship Programme is its monthly stipends, which cover the living costs of recipients. However, the amount of financial support provided varies depending on the applicant’s category.
- Master’s students: €620 per month
- PhD students: €1,025.50 per month
- University teachers, researchers, and artists (without a PhD and less than four years of experience): €1,025.50 per month
- Those with a PhD and less than ten years of experience receive €1,370 per month
- University teachers, researchers, and artists with more than ten years of experience are awarded €1,470 per month
In addition to the stipends, Master’s and PhD students can apply for a travel grant, which ranges from €50 to €1,500. This grant is based on the applicant’s home country distance from Slovakia, easing travel costs for those traveling long distances. For further details, refer to the National Scholarship Programme’s travel grant section.
Important Exclusions
The NSP does not support:
- International students enrolled in full-degree programs in Slovakia.
- Applicants who have stayed in Slovakia for more than 15 months in the past three years.
- Applicants already receiving funding from other Slovak scholarships, such as Erasmus+.
Applicants must submit:
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A motivation letter explaining the purpose of their stay in Slovakia
- A detailed study or research plan
- Two recommendation letters from professors for students or one from a dissertation supervisor for PhD candidates
- Proof of enrollment from the applicant’s home institution
- An admission or invitation letter from the Slovak host institution
Method of Application
Click Here to Apply
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Conclusion: A Path to Academic Growth in Slovakia
The National Scholarship Programme of Slovakia provides a significant opportunity for international scholars to enhance their academic and research experiences while contributing to the Slovak academic environment. This initiative fosters stronger ties between Slovakia and the global academic community, creating lasting academic collaborations. As the program continues to grow, it promises to strengthen Slovakia’s position as a hub for academic excellence.
Application Deadline : The next application deadline for the summer semester of the 2024/2025 academic year is October 31, 2024. It is important to note that the online application system typically opens about six weeks before the deadline.
