Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students

The Slovak Republic is now accepting applications for its Talented Foreign Students scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. This is not a bilateral exchange program but a direct scholarship for international students who want to study bachelor’s or master’s degrees in Slovakia. Selected candidates for the Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students can get up to €500 per month for up to three years, which works out to €15,000 over the full period. The deadline has been extended to 8 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

There are 170 scholarships available at the bachelor’s level (or combined bachelor’s and master’s), 110 funded by ESIF for institutions outside the Bratislava region, and 60 funded by the state budget for institutions in the region. At the master’s level, there are 55 scholarships, 35 outside Bratislava and 20 in the capital region. The scholarship is paid monthly, €500 per month, from September through June, for the first three years of bachelor’s or the first two years of master’s.

Selection is purely based on standardized test scores. You must take either the SAT (minimum 1100 points) or the SCIO tests in Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites (minimum average percentile of 63). The certificate must be uploaded before the deadline. No exceptions. The test results are the only thing that matters. Nothing else.

Program Details

• Host Institution(s): Selected public and state higher education institutions (HEIs) in Slovakia.
• Level of Study: Full-time bachelor’s, combined bachelor’s and master’s, or full-time master’s. Not for doctoral studies.
• Number of Awards: Up to 170 at bachelor’s level; up to 55 at master’s level.
• Duration: Bachelor’s (up to 3 years), combined bachelor’s and master’s (up to 3 years), master’s (up to 2 years).
• Eligible countries: All countries worldwide. Slovak citizens living abroad are also eligible if they hold a certificate under Act No. 474/2005 Coll. on Slovaks Living Abroad.

Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students Benefits

Selected candidates receive:

1. Monthly scholarship of €500 for a maximum of 10 months per academic year (September–June).
2. Total possible amount: up to €15,000 (3 years of bachelor’s or combined studies).

Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a citizen of a country other than Slovakia (dual citizenship with Slovak is allowed).
• Not have permanent residence in Slovakia at any point between 1 January 2021 and the application deadline.
• Not have completed secondary education in Slovakia (with an exception for Slovaks living abroad).
• For bachelor’s applicants: not have previously studied at a Slovak HEI (except for academic mobilities). For master’s applicants, prior study at a Slovak HEI is allowed.
• Have applied for admission to a public Slovak HEI for a supported study program (in the SK RIS3 2021+ priority areas). Admission letters can be uploaded if already received.
• Be enrolled in a full-time, in-person study programme.
• Submit a structured CV (in English), a motivation letter (in English), and a hand-signed solemn declaration about your permanent residence status.

There is no upper age limit. Applicants under 18 must provide a hand-signed consent from a legal guardian.

Selection Criteria

The Selection criteria for the Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students is based exclusively on the results of a standardized test. You must choose one of the following:

• SAT test: minimum total score of 1100 points (equivalent to percentile 63). Accepted test dates from 1 January 2021 up to the application deadline.
• SCIO tests: minimum average percentile of 63 (average of Mathematics and General Academic Prerequisites tests). Accepted certificates issued by SCIO.

How to Apply for the Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students

Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the official portal at scholarships.portalvs.sk. The application registration is still open until 8 September 2026, 23:59 CEST. Complete applications must include all required attachments, test results, declarations, CV, motivation letter, and any available admission letters.

Required Documents

1. ID or Passport: Certified copy of a valid identity document or passport.
2. Solemn Declaration of Permanent Residence: Hand-signed, confirming you have not had permanent residence in Slovakia since 1 January 2021. Template is available during the application process.
3. Certificate for Slovaks Living Abroad (if applicable): Copy of the Certificate under § 7 of Act No. 474/2005 Coll.
4. Consent of Legal Guardian (if under 18): Required for applicants under 18.
5. SAT or SCIO Test Certificate: Valid test result meeting the minimum threshold. This is mandatory.
6. Acceptance Letter from HEI (if available): Document confirming admission to a Slovak HEI.
7. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Template is available during the application process. Essential for evaluation.
8. Motivation Letter: Template is available during the application process. Essential for evaluation.

How Can You Lose the Scholarship?

Entitlement ceases if you:

• Terminate your studies (unless you transfer to another selected program within the same HEI without losing student status).
• Transfer to a different HEI.
• Change from full-time to part-time (external) study.
• Interrupt studies for more than 180 days (the scholarship stops during the interruption and resumes upon re‑enrolment).

Important Notes

• The scholarship does not cover tuition fees. Waiving fees is at the discretion of each HEI.
• Scholarship holders are publicly health‑insured under Slovak law (if not insured in another EU/EEA state).
• Non‑EU applicants must apply for a national D visa at a Slovak embassy before travelling to Slovakia. After arrival, you must apply for temporary residence for study purposes within 120 days. Visa fees are your responsibility.
• The scholarship is a motivational tool to cover living costs. It is not a full study grant.

The application deadline is 8 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. For full details, including the list of supported study programs, methodological documents, and step‑by‑step guides, visit the official scholarship portal. For questions, email [email protected]. For more details on the Slovak Republic Scholarship for Talented Students, please read the official page.