The National Scholarship Program (NSP) of the Slovak Republic is a government-funded scheme that offers scholarships to international students, researchers, and teachers who wish to study or conduct research at higher education institutions in Slovakia. The NSP aims to support the mobility and internationalization of Slovak higher education, foster academic excellence and innovation, and strengthen the bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Slovakia and other countries. The NSP is administered by the Slovak Academic Information Agency (SAIA), a non-governmental organization that promotes international cooperation in education and research.
Eligible Criteria
The NSP is open to applicants from all countries of the world, except for Slovak citizens and foreign nationals with permanent residence in Slovakia. The NSP offers scholarships for the following types of mobility:
- Study or research stay for students of the second level of higher education (master’s level) or the third level of higher education (doctoral level) for 1 – 2 semesters (5 – 10 months).
- Research or teaching stay for university teachers, researchers, or artists for 1 – 10 months.
- Summer school for students of the first level of higher education (bachelor’s level), the second level of higher education (master’s level), or the third level of higher education (doctoral level) for 3 weeks.
The applicants must meet the following general criteria:
- Have completed at least one academic year of their current level of study (except for summer school applicants).
- Have a good academic record and a clear study or research plan.
- Have sufficient knowledge of the language of instruction or communication at the host institution in Slovakia.
- Have not received a scholarship from the NSP or any other Slovak scholarship program in the past 12 months (except for summer school applicants).
The applicants must also meet the specific criteria of the host institution and the type of mobility they are applying for. The details of these criteria can be found on the websites of the host institutions and the NSP.
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Financial Coverage
The NSP covers the following costs for the scholarship holders:
- Monthly scholarship of 400 EUR for students, 734 EUR for university teachers, researchers, or artists, and 280 EUR for summer school students.
- Travel allowance of up to 400 EUR, depending on the distance from the home country to Slovakia.
- Accommodation allowance of 200 EUR for students and summer school students, and 350 EUR for university teachers, researchers, or artists.
- Health insurance, if not covered by another source.
The NSP does not cover the tuition fees, visa fees, or any other expenses related to the stay in Slovakia. The scholarship holders are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, travel, and health insurance.
Requirement
The applicants must submit the following documents online via the NSP website:
- Application form, including a motivation letter, a study or research plan, and a curriculum vitae.
- Invitation letter from the host institution in Slovakia, confirming the acceptance and the conditions of the stay.
- Letter of recommendation from a relevant person, such as a professor, supervisor, employer, or colleague.
- Proof of academic achievement, such as a transcript of records, a diploma, or a certificate.
- Proof of language proficiency, such as a language certificate, a confirmation from the home or host institution, or a self-assessment.
- Copy of passport or identity card.
The applicants must also send the original or certified copies of the above documents by post to the SAIA office in Bratislava within 7 days after the online submission deadline. The documents must be in Slovak, Czech, or English, or translated into one of these languages by an official translator.
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Application Procedure
The NSP has two application deadlines per year: 31 October for the summer semester of the following academic year, and 30 April for the winter semester of the same academic year. The summer school applicants must apply by 30 April for the summer school of the same year. The applicants must follow these steps to apply for the NSP:
- Choose a host institution and a type of mobility from the list of eligible institutions and programs on the NSP website.
- Contact the host institution and obtain an invitation letter, confirming the acceptance and the conditions of the stay.
- Register on the NSP website and fill in the online application form, attaching the required documents.
- Submit the online application form by the relevant deadline.
- Send the original or certified copies of the required documents by post to the SAIA office in Bratislava within 7 days after the online submission deadline.
- Wait for the results of the selection process, which will be announced on the NSP website and communicated by email within 8 weeks after the online submission deadline.
- If selected, confirm the acceptance of the scholarship and sign the scholarship contract with the SAIA.
- Arrange the travel, accommodation, and health insurance for the stay in Slovakia.
- Start the study or research stay at the host institution in Slovakia.
Deadline
The next deadline for applying for the NSP is 31 October 2023 for the summer semester of the academic year 2023-2024. The applicants are advised to start the application process well in advance and to check the NSP website for any updates or changes.
How to Apply
The applicants can apply for the NSP online via the NSP website, where they can find more information and guidance on the application process and the required documents. The applicants can also contact the SAIA office in Bratislava or the host institution in Slovakia for any questions or assistance. The NSP is a great opportunity for international students, researchers, and teachers to experience the academic and cultural life in Slovakia and to enhance their knowledge and skills. Don’t miss this chance and apply now!
