Applications are available for the Slovakia Scholarships for Talented Students from All Over the World for the 2026/2027 academic year, an international funding opportunity created to attract talented students to selected public and state higher education institutions in the Slovak Republic.
The scholarship supports eligible international students who wish to pursue full-time bachelor’s, combined bachelor’s and master’s, or master’s degree studies in Slovakia. Successful applicants may receive €500 per month for ten months of each academic year, with support lasting up to three years for bachelor’s or combined programmes and up to two years for master’s programmes.
This means that eligible bachelor’s and combined-degree students may receive up to €15,000, while master’s students may receive up to €10,000 over two academic years. The programme is open to applicants from around the world, including certain Slovaks living abroad, provided they meet the academic, residency, admission and standardised-test requirements.
The official application banner states that applications are open and must be submitted by 31 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Applicants should nevertheless check the active application portal carefully, because a later section of the published information appears to contain older wording stating that registration had not yet opened.
About the Slovakia Scholarships for Talented International Students
The scholarship programme is part of Slovakia’s effort to attract talented international students and strengthen higher education in fields connected to the country’s development priorities.
It is intended for students who plan to begin or continue eligible higher education studies in Slovakia during the 2026/2027 academic year.
The programme supports study at selected public or state Slovak higher education institutions. Applicants must choose an eligible full-time programme connected to the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Slovak Republic, SK RIS3 2021+.
This means that not every university, faculty or degree programme in Slovakia will automatically qualify. Applicants must confirm that both their chosen institution and study programme appear on the official list of supported programmes before submitting their scholarship application.
The scholarship is designed to support talented students while encouraging them to pursue studies in areas considered important for Slovakia’s academic, economic, scientific and technological development.
Scholarship Value and Financial Support
The scholarship provides a monthly payment of:
- €500 per month
- Paid for ten months of each academic year
- Normally covering the period from September to June
The academic year in Slovakia begins on 1 September and ends on 31 August of the following year, but scholarship payments are provided for ten eligible months rather than the full twelve-month period.
Funding for Bachelor’s Students
Students enrolled in an eligible full-time bachelor’s programme may receive:
- €5,000 per academic year
- Up to three academic years of support
- A maximum total value of €15,000
Funding for Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Students
Students enrolled in a supported combined bachelor’s and master’s programme may receive:
- €5,000 per academic year
- Support for the first three academic years
- A maximum total value of €15,000
The scholarship does not necessarily fund the entire duration of a longer combined programme. The published information specifies support for the first three continuing years.
Funding for Master’s Students
Students enrolled in an eligible full-time master’s programme may receive:
- €5,000 per academic year
- Up to two academic years of support
- A maximum total value of €10,000
Although the programme is promoted as offering scholarships of up to €15,000, the maximum available to a two-year master’s student is normally €10,000 under the stated monthly payment structure.
Number of Scholarships Available
The programme plans to award up to 225 scholarships across bachelor’s, combined bachelor’s and master’s study levels.
Bachelor’s and Combined Degree Scholarships
Up to 170 scholarships may be awarded to students entering bachelor’s or combined bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
These places are divided as follows:
- 110 scholarships for students attending public higher education institutions outside the Bratislava region
- 60 scholarships for students attending public higher education institutions in the Bratislava region
Master’s Scholarships
Up to 55 scholarships may be awarded to master’s students.
These places are divided as follows:
- 35 scholarships for students attending public higher education institutions outside the Bratislava region
- 20 scholarships for students attending public higher education institutions in the Bratislava region
The Ministry may adjust the number of awards where necessary.
During the evaluation process, applicants may also be organised into geographical groups covering Europe; the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania; South America; Central America and Africa; and Asia.
Eligible Levels of Study
The scholarship applies only to the following study levels:
- Full-time bachelor’s degree programmes
- Full-time combined bachelor’s and master’s programmes
- Full-time master’s degree programmes
The scholarship does not support doctoral or PhD studies.
All supported programmes must be:
- Full-time
- Conducted in person
- Delivered at an eligible public or state Slovak higher education institution
- Included within the selected areas of Slovakia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy
Part-time, external or distance-learning programmes do not qualify.
Eligibility for Bachelor’s Applicants
Applicants seeking funding for a bachelor’s or combined bachelor’s and master’s programme must generally meet the following conditions:
- They must be applying from abroad.
- They must have completed their secondary education outside Slovakia.
- They must plan to begin an eligible bachelor’s or combined programme in Slovakia during the 2026/2027 academic year.
- They must not have previously studied at a higher education institution in Slovakia, except through an eligible academic mobility arrangement.
- They must not have previously attended secondary school in Slovakia, subject to the stated exception for qualifying Slovaks living abroad.
- They must apply to or receive admission from a supported public Slovak higher education institution.
At the time of submitting the scholarship application, it may be sufficient for the applicant to have already applied to the university. However, the student must eventually be admitted, officially enrolled and begin the eligible programme before scholarship payments can be made.
Eligibility for Master’s Applicants
Master’s scholarships are available to several categories of applicants.
International Graduates Applying from Abroad
Applicants may qualify if they:
- Completed their bachelor’s degree outside Slovakia
- Are entering a master’s programme in Slovakia for the first time
- Apply to an eligible full-time master’s programme at a supported institution
Students Progressing From a Slovak Bachelor’s Degree
Applicants who completed a bachelor’s degree at a Slovak higher education institution may also qualify if they:
- Progress directly and continuously to the master’s level
- Have not previously received support under the relevant Recovery and Resilience Plan scholarship scheme
Previous Scholarship Recipients
Students who previously received support under the earlier Recovery and Resilience Plan scholarship scheme at bachelor’s level may qualify if they:
- Successfully complete their bachelor’s degree
- Progress continuously to an eligible master’s programme
For master’s applicants, previous study at a Slovak higher education institution does not automatically disqualify the applicant.
Citizenship and Residence Requirements
Applicants must normally hold citizenship of a country other than Slovakia.
Citizenship must be demonstrated through an acceptable identity document, generally:
- A valid passport
- A national identity card for eligible citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland
Dual citizens who hold both Slovak citizenship and another citizenship may apply under the stated rules.
Slovaks living abroad may also qualify, but they must submit the appropriate certificate issued under Slovak legislation concerning Slovaks living abroad.
Applicants must also demonstrate that they have not held permanent residence in Slovakia at any time from 1 January 2021 until the date of submitting the scholarship application.
This condition is normally confirmed through a hand-signed solemn declaration.
Temporary residence in Slovakia may not automatically make an applicant ineligible. The published announcement specifically notes that some holders of temporary residence permits may still qualify, depending on the programme’s conditions and exceptions.
Admission to a Slovak University
The scholarship application and university admission process are separate.
Receiving the scholarship does not automatically mean that the applicant has been admitted to a university. Similarly, applying to a university does not automatically produce a scholarship application.
Applicants must therefore complete two distinct processes:
- Apply directly to an eligible Slovak higher education institution for admission.
- Submit a separate online application for the scholarship.
Applicants should communicate with their preferred university as early as possible to confirm:
- Whether the programme is supported
- Admission requirements
- Required academic documents
- Language requirements
- Tuition fees
- Recognition of previous qualifications
- Enrolment dates
- Programme-specific deadlines
The official scholarship information strongly advises applicants to contact their selected institution early to avoid delays or misunderstandings.
Standardised Test Requirement
The selection process is based on the applicant’s results in an approved standardised test.
Applicants must submit results from either:
- The SAT, administered by the College Board; or
- The SCIO Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites tests
The standardised-test result is described as the only criterion used to determine the ranking of eligible applicants.
Documents such as the CV and motivation letter are still mandatory, but applicants who do not meet the required test threshold will not proceed in the selection process.
Minimum SAT Score
Applicants submitting SAT results must achieve:
- A minimum total SAT score of 1,100 points
- Equivalent to approximately the 63rd percentile under the programme’s stated system
SAT results from tests taken between 1 January 2021 and the application deadline may be accepted.
The announcement identified 6 June 2026 as the latest relevant SAT date for the current cycle. Applicants applying close to the July deadline would therefore generally need to have already taken the examination and obtained an eligible result.
Minimum SCIO Score
Applicants using SCIO results must take both:
- Mathematics, known as MAT
- General Academic Prerequisites, known as VŠP
The applicant must achieve an average percentile of at least 63 across the two tests.
The application system calculates the average using the percentile achieved in each examination.
Applicants must submit an official SCIO certificate. One SCIO test alone is not sufficient because both Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites are required.
Selection Process
After the application deadline, the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic or the relevant higher education institutions will verify submitted applications.
The assessment may include confirmation of:
- Citizenship
- Residence history
- Educational background
- University application or admission
- Eligibility of the selected programme
- Full-time study status
- Standardised-test score
- Completeness and authenticity of documents
- Compliance with all declarations and requirements
Eligible applicants will be ranked according to their accepted SAT or SCIO results.
Applicants below the minimum threshold will not be considered. Meeting the minimum score does not guarantee selection because the number of scholarships is limited and the applicant’s ranking among other eligible candidates will also matter.
Preliminary and final lists of successful applicants will be prepared after verification and enrolment procedures.
Scholarship payments begin only after the student has:
- Been officially admitted
- Enrolled at the selected institution
- Commenced the eligible study programme
- Completed the required administrative process
Where administrative delays occur, eligible payments may be made retroactively for the months during which the student qualified.
Documents Required for the Application
Applicants should prepare the following documents.
1. Identity Document
Applicants must provide a certified copy of a valid passport or another accepted identity document.
2. Declaration of Permanent Residence
A hand-signed solemn declaration must confirm that the applicant has not held permanent residence in Slovakia between 1 January 2021 and the application deadline.
3. Certificate for Slovaks Living Abroad
This is required only for applicants applying under the special eligibility provisions for Slovaks living abroad.
4. Legal Guardian’s Consent
Applicants under 18 must submit a hand-signed consent form from their legal guardian concerning the processing of personal data.
5. SAT or SCIO Certificate
Applicants must provide proof of:
- An SAT score of at least 1,100; or
- An average SCIO percentile of at least 63 across Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites
6. University Acceptance Letter
Applicants should upload an acceptance letter from a Slovak higher education institution where available.
The published rules indicate that an applicant may still apply for the scholarship after applying to the university but before receiving final admission. Nevertheless, official admission and enrolment will be required before the scholarship can be awarded and paid.
7. Curriculum Vitae
A structured CV in English is mandatory. The official template should be used where required by the application portal.
8. Motivation Letter
Applicants must submit a motivation letter in English using the official template.
The motivation letter should explain:
- Why the applicant wants to study in Slovakia
- Why the selected programme is appropriate
- How the applicant demonstrates talent
- What the applicant hopes to achieve academically and professionally
Both the CV and motivation letter are described as essential application documents.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the official scholarship portal.
Applications cannot be submitted by email.
A complete application should include:
- Personal and citizenship information
- Education details
- Information about the chosen Slovak institution and programme
- SAT or SCIO results
- Certified identity documentation
- Required solemn declarations
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Supporting documents applicable to the applicant’s circumstances
Applicants should not wait until the final day. The application may require certified documents, signatures, test certificates and information from a university, all of which may take time to organise.
The active application announcement states that registration is open until 31 July 2026.
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Application Deadline
The deadline for the Slovakia Scholarships for Talented International Students is:
31 July 2026 at 23:59 Central European Summer Time
Applicants should confirm the time-zone difference in their country and submit well before the portal closes.
Because the source material contains both an active application notice and older wording that registration had not yet opened, applicants should rely on the current online portal status and verify that the submission function is active before preparing a last-minute application.
Tuition Fees
The scholarship does not create an automatic universal tuition-fee waiver.
Students admitted to a full-time foreign-language programme at a public Slovak higher education institution may have their tuition fees waived under the relevant Slovak legislation. However, the final decision belongs to the individual higher education institution.
Applicants should therefore ask their chosen university:
- Whether tuition fees apply
- Whether scholarship recipients qualify for a waiver
- Whether the waiver covers the full tuition amount
- Whether any administrative or programme fees remain payable
A scholarship applicant should not assume that receiving €500 per month also guarantees free tuition.
Health Insurance
Scholarship recipients may qualify for public health insurance in Slovakia under the applicable legislation where they:
- Do not have permanent residence in Slovakia
- Are not already insured in another European Union member state, European Economic Area contracting state or Switzerland
- Hold a scholarship under a programme approved by the Slovak Government
Applicants should verify their individual insurance position before travelling, particularly because insurance arrangements may differ according to citizenship, residence status and existing coverage.
Visa and Temporary Residence Requirements
Non-EU students may need a national visa and temporary residence permit for study.
Applicants currently outside Slovakia are advised to apply for a national Type D visa through the Slovak embassy or an authorised external service provider responsible for their country of residence.
The published guidance recommends applying for a 120-day national D visa connected to a temporary-residence application for study.
After arriving in Slovakia, students must apply for temporary residence for study within the permitted period.
Students already legally present in Slovakia may be able to apply through a Foreign Police office.
The scholarship does not remove the applicant’s responsibility to satisfy immigration, visa and residence requirements. Applicants should begin these procedures early, because university enrolment and scholarship eligibility may be affected by delays.
Conditions for Keeping the Scholarship
Successful applicants must remain enrolled in an eligible full-time programme.
The scholarship may be lost where the student:
- Terminates the supported study programme
- Transfers to a different higher education institution
- Changes from full-time to part-time or external study
- Repeats a study year in circumstances not permitted by the programme
- Loses student status
- Interrupts studies beyond the permitted period
- Submits false or altered documents
- Fails to comply with inspections connected to the scholarship
A student may be allowed to change to another eligible programme within the same institution if the studies remain continuous and the student does not lose their status, restart the first year or repeat an academic year.
The scholarship cannot normally be transferred from one university to another.
Important Application Advice
Applicants should take the following steps before applying:
- Confirm that the chosen university is a public or state Slovak institution.
- Check that the selected programme appears on the eligible Smart Specialisation list.
- Apply separately for university admission.
- Confirm whether the programme is full-time and conducted in person.
- Verify that an eligible SAT or SCIO result is available.
- Prepare certified identity documents.
- Complete all required declarations by hand where instructed.
- Prepare the English CV and motivation letter.
- Confirm tuition-fee arrangements with the university.
- Research visa, temporary residence and health-insurance requirements.
- Submit the scholarship application before 31 July 2026.
- Keep copies of every document and submission confirmation.
Applicants should also remember that reaching the minimum test score does not guarantee an award. Selection remains competitive because applicants are ranked and the number of available scholarships is limited.
Conclusion
The Slovakia Scholarships for Talented International Students 2026/27 provide a substantial opportunity for international students seeking to pursue higher education in the heart of Europe.
With funding of €500 per month, eligible bachelor’s and combined-degree students may receive up to €15,000, while eligible master’s students may receive up to €10,000. The programme is available across selected academic fields and public or state higher education institutions in Slovakia.
However, the application process is demanding. Applicants must satisfy citizenship and residence conditions, choose an eligible study programme, apply separately to a Slovak university, submit a valid SAT or SCIO result, prepare all required documents and complete the online application before the deadline.
Interested students should begin by confirming programme eligibility and reviewing their standardised-test results. A complete application must be submitted by 31 July 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
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