The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (NSP) is an international scholarship opportunity that supports students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists who want to undertake study, research, teaching, or artistic stays in Slovakia.
The programme is funded by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and is designed primarily to promote international academic mobility.
What Does the Scholarship Support?
The programme provides financial support for eligible international applicants undertaking temporary academic or research stays at Slovak universities and research institutions.
Eligible categories include:
– International university students
– PhD students
– University teachers
– Researchers
– Artists
Applicants can come from countries around the world, subject to the programme’s eligibility conditions.
Who Can Apply?
University Students
Applicants in this category must generally be university students studying outside Slovakia and must have completed at least 2.5 years of university study in the same or a similar programme by the application deadline.
They must also be accepted by an eligible Slovak higher education institution for an academic mobility stay.
Student scholarship stays can generally last between 1 and 2 semesters, depending on the academic structure.
PhD Students
PhD candidates whose studies or research take place outside Slovakia may apply if they are accepted by an eligible Slovak university or research institution.
Scholarship stays for PhD applicants can last from 1 to 10 months.
University Teachers, Researchers and Artists
University teachers, researchers, and artists may apply for teaching, research, or artistic stays when invited by an eligible Slovak institution.
The programme therefore provides opportunities not only for students but also for academics and professionals involved in research and creative work.
Important: This Is Not a Regular Full-Degree Scholarship
One of the most important things applicants should understand is that the National Scholarship Programme primarily supports mobility and temporary academic stays.
It does not normally fund international students who have been admitted to Slovakia for a complete bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree and want to use the NSP to finance the entire programme.
Students seeking full-degree funding should therefore look for other Slovak scholarship schemes.
2027 Application Deadline
For stays associated with the 2027 academic year, applicants should pay close attention to the two annual application rounds.
The programme has traditionally used:
30 April — main application round
31 October — second application round
The official programme currently lists the 30 April 2026 and 31 October 2026 calls for stays connected with the 2026/2027 academic year.
For a 2027 application article, applicants should confirm the exact deadline published for the relevant 2027/2028 call before submitting.
Applicants interested in a future application cycle should monitor the programme’s next call and confirm the new deadline before preparing their application.
How to Apply
The application process generally involves the following steps:
1. Find an Appropriate Slovak Host Institution
Applicants should identify a Slovak university or research institution that matches their academic or professional interests.
2. Obtain an Acceptance or Invitation Letter
A suitable Slovak institution must accept or invite the applicant for the proposed study, research, teaching, or artistic stay.
The acceptance or invitation document is an important part of the application.
3. Prepare the Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents required for their specific category.
These may include:
– Academic records
– Curriculum vitae
– Motivation letter
– Study or research plan
– Acceptance or invitation letter
– Recommendation or reference documents
– Evidence of academic or professional achievements
– Other documents specified in the application system
Documents generally need to be submitted in Slovak or English, with appropriate translations where required.
4. Complete the Online Application
Applications are submitted online through the scholarship application system.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours because technical or submission problems could prevent an application from being completed on time.
5. Submit the Original Acceptance Letter
The programme requires the original acceptance or invitation letter to be delivered to the relevant programme administrator in Bratislava within the specified period after the online deadline.
Benefits of the Programme
The main benefit is financial support that helps eligible participants undertake academic or research mobility in Slovakia.
Depending on the applicant category, the programme provides scholarship support for the approved period of stay. Eligible applicants may also qualify for a travel grant, subject to the applicable rules.
The opportunity can also provide:
– International academic experience
– Access to Slovak universities and research institutions
– Research collaboration opportunities
– Professional networking
– Exposure to European academic environments
– Opportunities to build international experience
How to Make Your Application Stronger
Applicants should prepare their applications well in advance.
A strong application should clearly explain:
– Why you want to study or conduct research in Slovakia.
– Why your chosen host institution is appropriate.
– What you intend to accomplish during your stay.
– How the proposed mobility relates to your academic or professional goals.
– What contribution your work could make after the programme.
Your study or research plan should be specific rather than generic.
Important Distinction: Government Scholarships vs National Scholarship Programme
Applicants should also avoid confusing the National Scholarship Programme with the Government Scholarships of the Slovak Republic.
They are different schemes.
The Government Scholarships of the Slovak Republic support eligible students under specific bilateral development-cooperation arrangements and can cover higher-education study at different levels. For the 2026/2027 cycle, the government scholarship application deadline was 25 May 2026.
There is also a separate 2026 scholarship scheme for talented international students interested in full-time study in Slovakia, with awards of up to €15,000 under the published scheme.
Therefore, applicants should select the scholarship scheme that matches their study objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Slovak National Scholarship available to international students?
Yes. International students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists can apply under the relevant categories.
Can undergraduate students apply?
Students can apply if they meet the programme’s requirements, including the required amount of completed university study and acceptance for an academic mobility stay.
Can I use it to fund an entire bachelor’s or master’s degree?
Generally, no. The National Scholarship Programme is designed primarily for temporary academic mobility rather than full-degree study.
Do I need an acceptance letter?
Yes. Eligible applicants generally need an acceptance or invitation from an appropriate Slovak institution.
Can Nigerians apply?
International applicants from eligible countries can apply, and the programme is open to applicants from countries around the world, subject to its conditions. Nigerian applicants should carefully review the current eligibility rules before applying.
Final Thoughts
(Apply Now) The Slovak Republic National Scholarship Programme is a valuable opportunity for international students, researchers, academics, and artists seeking temporary academic or professional mobility in Slovakia.
The programme is particularly suitable for applicants who already have an academic connection to a university or research institution and want to spend part of their studies or professional career in Slovakia.
For future applicants, the best strategy is to start early: identify a suitable Slovak host institution, obtain the necessary acceptance or invitation, prepare your academic documents, develop a clear study or research plan, and submit your application before the official deadline.
Note: Scholarship amounts, eligibility rules, application procedures, and deadlines can change between application cycles. Always confirm the requirements for the specific year in which you intend to apply.