Government of Slovak National Scholarship Programme (NSP) Sep 2024

The Government of Slovakia’s National Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a prestigious initiative designed to support international students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists.

Launched in 2005, the program is financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of Slovakia.

The main aim of this scholarship is to promote academic mobility by offering financial support to individuals from different countries who wish to study, teach, or conduct research at Slovak institutions.

Overview of the Scholarship

The NSP is open to applicants from all around the world, except Slovakia. It provides scholarships for academic stays at Slovak higher education institutions and research organizations.

The scholarship is primarily intended for master’s students, PhD candidates, university teachers, researchers, and artists.

These stays are meant to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and to foster collaboration between Slovak and international institutions.

Important Details in a Table

DetailsInformation
Scholarship NameGovernment of Slovak National Scholarship Programme (NSP) 2025
Master’s Students’ Monthly Stipend€620
PhD Students’ Monthly Stipend€1,025.50
University Teachers, Researchers, ArtistsWithout PhD, <4 years: €1,025.50
With PhD, <10 years: €1,370
With PhD, >10 years: €1,470
Travel Grant€50 – €1,500
Eligible CountriesAll except Slovakia
Duration for Master’s Students1-2 semesters (4-10 months)
Duration for PhD Students1-10 months
Duration for Teachers, Researchers, Artists1-10 months
Application DeadlineOctober 31, 2024, by 16:00 CET
Required DocumentsCV, Motivation Letter, Study/Research Program, Recommendation Letters, Confirmation of Enrollment, Admission/Invitation Letter
Application PortalNSP Application Portal

Benefits of the Scholarship

The Slovak NSP offers significant financial support to cover the living expenses of scholarship holders during their stay in Slovakia.

The monthly stipend depends on the applicant’s category, ensuring that all recipients have enough funds to support themselves.

Here are the detailed benefits for each group:

  • Master’s Students: A monthly stipend of €620 to cover living expenses.
  • PhD Students: A monthly stipend of €1,025.50 to support their stay.
  • University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists:
    • Without a PhD and less than 4 years of experience: €1,025.50 per month.
    • With a PhD and less than 10 years of experience: €1,370 per month.
    • With a PhD and more than 10 years of experience: €1,470 per month.

Additionally, master’s and PhD students may apply for a travel grant to cover the costs of traveling between their home country and Slovakia.

The amount of this travel grant depends on the distance between the two countries and can range from €50 to €1,500.

Eligibility Criteria

The NSP is open to a wide range of applicants, from master’s students to experienced university teachers.

Below are the specific eligibility requirements for each category:

1. Master’s Students

  • You must be studying at a university outside Slovakia.
  • You should be in the second level of higher education (master’s level) or have completed at least 2.5 years of your undergraduate studies in a related field.
  • You must have been accepted by a Slovak higher education institution for academic mobility.
  • The scholarship is available for stays lasting from 1-2 full semesters (4-10 months) or 1-3 trimesters.

2. PhD Students

  • You must be enrolled in a PhD program at a university outside Slovakia.
  • You must have been accepted by a Slovak university or research organization to conduct research or artistic mobility.
  • The scholarship duration for PhD students is between 1 to 10 months.

3. University Teachers, Researchers, and Artists

  • You must be invited to teach, conduct research, or engage in artistic activities at a Slovak institution.
  • The scholarship is available for a duration of 1 to 10 months.

Exclusions from Eligibility

While the NSP provides opportunities for many people, there are certain exclusions.

The following individuals are not eligible for the scholarship:

  • International students enrolled in full degree programs in Slovakia: The NSP is intended for short-term academic mobility and does not support students who are already pursuing full-time degrees in Slovakia.
  • Applicants who have spent more than 15 months in Slovakia in the last 36 months: The scholarship is meant to encourage fresh academic mobility and is not intended for individuals who have already spent a significant amount of time in Slovakia.
  • Applicants receiving scholarships from other Slovak public funding sources: Individuals who are already receiving financial aid from programs like Erasmus+ are not eligible for the NSP.

Application Process

Applying for the NSP is done entirely online through the official portal: NSP Application Portal.

It is important for applicants to follow all instructions carefully and submit all required documents before the deadline.

Documents Required

To complete the application, candidates need to provide several important documents.

These documents help assess the applicant’s qualifications and ensure that they meet the criteria for the scholarship.

The required documents include:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed summary of your academic and professional background.
  • Motivation Letter: A personal statement explaining why you want to study, research, or teach in Slovakia, and how this experience will benefit your academic or professional career.
  • Study/Research Program: A plan outlining the courses, research, or activities you will engage in during your stay in Slovakia.
  • Recommendation Letters: Two letters of recommendation from university professors (for master’s and PhD students) or one letter from your dissertation supervisor (for PhD students).
  • Confirmation of Enrollment: A document proving that you are currently a registered student or PhD candidate at your home institution.
  • Admission/Invitation Letter: This letter is issued by the Slovak institution that will host you during your stay.

Application Deadline

For those applying to the NSP for stays in the summer semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, the application deadline is October 31, 2024, by 16:00 CET.

The online application system typically opens about six weeks before the deadline, and it is recommended that applicants submit their applications early to avoid any last-minute issues.

Conclusion

The Government of Slovakia’s National Scholarship Programme is an exceptional opportunity for international students, researchers, and artists who wish to expand their academic and professional horizons.

With financial support to cover living costs, travel grants, and opportunities to engage with Slovak institutions, the NSP is an ideal way to experience academic and cultural mobility in Slovakia.

By applying early and preparing the necessary documents, eligible candidates can take full advantage of this program and contribute to a global exchange of knowledge.

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