Slovakia’s National Scholarship Programme funds international students, PhD researchers, and academics to study or research in Slovakia — up to €1,470/month plus a travel grant of up to €1,500. Open to citizens of any country. Two deadlines yearly.
What Is This Programme?
The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (NSP) is a government-funded mobility scholarship open to citizens of any country (except Slovakia) who want to study, research, or teach at Slovak universities and research institutions.
It pays a monthly stipend, up to €1,470 depending on your category and experience, plus a travel grant of up to €1,500. There are two application rounds every year.
Administered by SAIA, n.o. on behalf of Slovakia’s Ministry of Education, this is stable state-budget funding, not a charitable award subject to yearly uncertainty.
Deadlines: 30 April (CET) and 31 October (CET) annually
Three Applicant Categories
| Category | Who | Duration | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| A — Master’s Students | University students studying outside Slovakia, at Master’s level or 2.5+ years into Bachelor’s | 1–2 semesters | €620 |
| B — PhD Students | PhD candidates studying/researching outside Slovakia, accepted by a Slovak institution | 1–10 months | €1,025.50 |
| C — Teachers/Researchers/Artists | Invited by a qualifying Slovak institution; PhD or <4 years experience | 1–10 months | €1,025.50 – €1,470 |
For Category C, senior researchers with a PhD and 10+ years of experience receive €1,470/month.
Travel Grant (Categories A & B)
Students and PhD students can also receive a travel grant based on straight-line distance from home to Slovakia:
- Nigeria to Bratislava (~5,000–5,500 km) = €750–€1,100
- More than 7,000 km = €1,500
Paid as a lump sum at the end of the stay.
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Students enrolled in full degree programmes in Slovakia
- Teachers/researchers without a PhD who have more than 4 years of work experience (limited exceptions apply)
- Anyone who has spent 15+ months in Slovakia in the past 36 months
- Anyone receiving simultaneous funding from Erasmus+, Visegrad Fund, CEEPUS, or bilateral agreements for the same stay
Required Documents by Category
Students (A): CV, motivation letter, detailed study programme, 2 recommendation letters, enrolment confirmation, Bachelor’s diploma, acceptance letter from the Slovak host institution
PhD Students (B): CV, motivation letter, detailed research programme, supervisor recommendation, PhD enrolment confirmation, Master’s diploma, publications list, acceptance letter
Teachers/Researchers (C): CV, detailed programme, highest degree diploma, publications list, acceptance/invitation letter
All documents must be in Slovak or English. The original acceptance letter must be posted to SAIA in Bratislava within 3 working days of the deadline.
Apply online at: www.scholarships.sk
For Nigerian and African Applicants
Lagos to Bratislava puts most Nigerian applicants in the €750–€1,100 travel grant bracket. Slovakia’s cost of living is significantly lower than that of Western Europe; a PhD student earning €1,025/month lives comfortably in Bratislava.
The programme is open to all nationalities, competition is lower than equivalent German or UK programmes, and it provides a direct entry point into the European research environment.
Build in extra time for visa processing — start your host institution contact months before the deadline.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Programme | National Scholarship Programme of Slovakia (NSP) |
| Funder | Slovak Ministry of Education |
| Open To | Citizens of any country |
| Monthly Stipend | €620 – €1,470 |
| Travel Grant | Up to €1,500 |
| Deadlines | 30 April and 31 October (CET) annually |
| Apply | www.scholarships.sk |
| Post Documents To | SAIA, n.o., Sasinkova 10, 812 20 Bratislava |
For more information and application:
Visit the official website of the Slovak Republic National Scholarship Programme 2025/26
