Slovakia Launches National Scholarship Programme for International Scholars
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Loading... - MARIA LAINE
- 08 Nov 2024
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The Government of Slovakia has officially launched its National Scholarship Programme (NSP), designed to provide financial support to international students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists. This initiative aims to enhance academic mobility by facilitating research and study opportunities at Slovak higher education institutions.
Established in 2005 and funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport, the NSP seeks to attract international talent to Slovakia, fostering a diverse academic environment. The program is part of Slovakia's broader efforts to strengthen its position in the global academic community.
Scholarship Benefits
The NSP offers monthly stipends to cover living costs for scholarship holders, with amounts varying based on the applicant's category:
i. Master’s Students: €620 per month
ii. PhD Students: €1,025.50 per month
iii. University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists:
- Without a PhD and less than four years of experience: €1,025.50
- With a PhD and less than ten years of experience: €1,370 per month
- With over ten years of experience: €1,470 per month
Additionally, PhD and master’s students can apply for a travel grant ranging from €50 to €1,500, depending on the distance from their home country to Slovakia.
Eligibility Criteria
The NSP is open to a diverse range of applicants from outside Slovakia:
i. Master’s Students: Must be enrolled at a university abroad, in their second level of higher education, or have completed a minimum of 2.5 years in a related undergraduate program. They must secure acceptance at a Slovak institution for academic mobility. The scholarship duration can last between one to two full semesters or one to three trimesters.
ii. PhD Candidates: Must be enrolled in a program outside Slovakia and accepted for research or artistic mobility at a Slovak institution. Their stay can last from one to ten months.
iii. University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists: Must have an invitation to teach or engage in research activities at a Slovak institution, with their stay also ranging from one to ten months.
Certain exclusions apply; the NSP will not support international students enrolled in full degree programs in Slovakia, those who have spent more than 15 months in Slovakia within the past 36 months, or applicants receiving scholarships from other Slovak funding sources, such as Erasmus+.
Application Process
Applications for the NSP must be submitted online through the official portal. Required documents include:
i. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
ii. A motivation letter outlining the purpose of the stay in Slovakia
iii. A detailed study or research program
iv. Two recommendation letters from professors for students or one from a dissertation supervisor for PhD candidates
v. Proof of enrollment from the home institution
vi. An admission or invitation letter from the Slovak host institution
The National Scholarship Programme represents a significant opportunity for international scholars to enhance their academic experiences in Slovakia while contributing to the local academic environment. As the program continues to develop, it promises to strengthen ties between Slovakia and the global academic community, fostering collaboration and innovation in research and education.
