The current call for applications for the National Scholarship Program (NSP) of the Slovak Republic is now open. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of this scholarship initiative, outlining its advantages and presenting a step-by-step guide to the application process.
The NSP for the academic year 2024-2025 offers fully funded scholarships to foreign students. These scholarships are available for both master’s and PhD studies, and they provide a monthly allowance of up to 734 €.
The NSP encompasses scholarships for international students, PhD candidates, university educators, researchers, and artists. The Slovak Republic’s government established this program in 2005 to promote and support the mobility of students, PhD candidates, university faculty, researchers, and artistic individuals.
Funding for the National Scholarship Program of the Slovak Republic (NSP) is provided by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic.
The NSP plays a pivotal role in facilitating the mobility of international students, PhD candidates, university educators, researchers, and artists. It enables them to undertake scholarship stays at higher education institutions and research organizations situated within Slovakia.
Scholarship Summary:
- Study Level: Master’s / PhD
- Institutions: Slovak Republic Institutes
- Location of Study: Slovak Republic
- Program Duration: Extends up to 10 months
Scholarship Coverage:
The National Scholarship Program offers recipients the following advantages:
- Financial Support: The scholarship aims to cover the living expenses of international scholarship recipients during their academic, research, artistic, or teaching tenure at universities and research organizations in Slovakia. This includes costs associated with accommodation, meals, and other relevant expenditures. Scholarship holders can choose to seek help from their host institution for accommodation and necessary paperwork regarding their stay in the Slovak Republic, or they have the option to manage these aspects on their own.
- Monthly Scholarship Amounts: The scholarship amount varies based on the level of study:
- University students pursuing second-level higher education: 400 € per month
- PhD students: 734 € per month.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the National Scholarship Program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Language Requirement: Proficiency in English.
- Geographical Eligibility: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
For University Students:
- Status: Candidates should be enrolled as university students in institutions located outside Slovakia.
- Academic Level: They should either be pursuing second-level higher education (master’s students) or have completed a minimum of 2.5 years of their current university program by the application deadline.
- Study Stay: Candidates should plan to undertake a study stay in Slovakia while pursuing higher education outside Slovakia. They must also secure acceptance from a public, private, or state university in Slovakia for academic mobility purposes.
For PhD Students:
- Qualification: PhD students engaged in higher education or scientific training outside Slovakia are eligible.
- Acceptance: They should be accepted by a public, private, or state university, or a recognized research institution in Slovakia that offers doctoral study programs. This allows them to engage in academic mobility for studying, conducting research, or artistic pursuits in Slovakia.
The National Scholarship Program does not provide support for:
- Students already enrolled in full higher education (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral) programs in Slovakia or those currently studying in Slovakia, seeking funding from NSP for their studies in the country.
- Applicants who have spent a cumulative total of 12 or more months in Slovakia within the 36 months prior to the application deadline.
- Individuals who are already receiving scholarships in Slovakia through other publicly funded scholarship programs (e.g., International Visegrad Fund, Erasmus+, CEEPUS, bilateral agreements, etc.).
How to Apply:
Follow these outlined application instructions to successfully apply for the National Scholarship Program:
First Step:
- Begin by completing the online application and uploading all necessary attachments in the required format within the online application platform.
- Applicants are permitted to submit their applications and attachments exclusively in Slovak or English languages. In the case of documents not in these languages, official translation into Slovak or English is required. The translation can be authenticated by the issuing institution of the respective document.
- For documents attached to the application and issued by a third party (such as recommendation letters, study confirmations, diplomas, diploma supplements, state examination certificates, admission or invitation letters), scans of these documents should be uploaded within the online application. The applicant must also maintain electronic copies of all original documents attached and be prepared to provide these originals (or certified copies) to the program administrator if requested.
Second Step:
- After completing the application and attaching all required documents, submit the application by selecting the “SEND” button.
- Additionally, it’s crucial to deliver the original admission or invitation letter to SAIA, n. o., in Bratislava (SAIA, n. o., Sasinkova 10, 812 20 Bratislava 1).
- Ensure that the original admission/invitation letter reaches SAIA, n. o., no later than the third working day following the application deadline, by 12 p.m. Working days are determined according to the legal status in Slovakia.
For further details regarding the documents required, you can find more information [here](link to be inserted if available).
