In 2026, Slovenia has become a high-quality, niche place for African scholars to study, especially in the fields of economics, quantum technologies, and environmental sciences. Many traditional scholarships are based on bilateral agreements, but the Ad Futura Fund’s new “Open Calls” have made it easier for high-achieving international students from Africa to get scholarships.
1. Ad futura Scholarships for Students from Other Countries
The Public Fund, also known as Ad futura, is the main source of money for students from outside the EU.
- The Award: It depends on the specific call, but it usually includes:
- Tuition fees: up to €15,000 per year.
- Cost of living: monthly payments of €800 to €1,250, depending on how much you study.
- 2026/2027 Call (380th Public Call): * Status: This call was made public in January 2026 so that international students could study in Slovenia.
- Due date: Usually in late March or April for the next school year.
- Priority Fields: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and programmes taught in English at the University of Ljubljana or the University of Maribor.
2. PhD Scholarships in Quantum Technologies (Public Call 377)
Slovenia has started a very special “full-ride” program for foreign students in physics and quantum technologies for the year 2026.
- The Prize: 100% Paid for.
- Benefits: Full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend that covers all of your needs while you are in school for your PhD.
- Requirement: Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program in physics at a Slovenian university.
- Status as of 2026: The call went out in January 2026, and researchers from African tech hubs are encouraged to apply to make global research connections stronger.
3. Scholarships for Both Sides (CMEPIUS)
The Slovenian government and partner countries have made deals that these scholarships are based on.
- The award is €400 a month plus free housing in student dorms and meals that are cheaper (student coupons).
- Current African Eligibility: Most bilateral agreements in 2026 are with European or Asian countries, like Egypt, which is often included in Mediterranean/Africa calls.
- If your country doesn’t have a bilateral agreement with Slovenia, you can still apply as a “Freemover” if you have an invitation letter from a Slovenian professor.
- 2027 Intake Timeline: * The deadline for the 2027–2028 school year is March 20, 2027.
- Portal: studyinslovenia.si
4. Internal Grants from the University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana, which is Slovenia’s best university, gives “Foundation” grants to international students who have excellent academic records but are having trouble paying for school.
- The prize: a full or partial waiver of tuition for master’s programmes taught in English.
- 2026/2027 Due dates:
- April 2026 is the first round.
- Second Round: September 2026 (for the last spots).
- Requirement: A minimum GPA of 8.0/10 on the Slovenian scale.
5. How to Get Around the “Slovenian Language” Requirement
The language barrier is often the biggest problem for African students. Here’s how to get around it in 2026:
- Degrees in English: Slovenia has more than 100 programmes taught in English, mostly at the Master’s and PhD levels. You don’t need to know Slovenian to get in if you choose these.
- MOI Waiver: If your last degree (for example, from Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya) was taught in English, a Medium of Instruction letter is often accepted instead of an IELTS or TOEFL score.
- Erasmus+ Mobility: A lot of African universities now have “International Credit Mobility” (ICM) agreements with Slovenia. These give you a full scholarship (€800/month) to study English for 3 to 12 months.
6. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- The Ad Futura (380th Call) and Quantum Physics scholarships were made public in January 2026.
- The last day to make international calls and study abroad calls for Ad Futura is March 20, 2026.
- The main application period for English-taught master’s programmes at the University of Maribor runs from May to June 2026.
- September 2026: Arriving in Slovenia for the winter semester.
- The next round of government bilateral scholarships will start in January 2027.
Final Thoughts
The Ad futura Public Call 380 is the best way for African students to get a full scholarship for a degree in Slovenia. The Quantum Technologies PhD offers world-class funding for top scientists. Your acceptance letter should be the main focus of your application. Most Slovenian scholarships require you to have already been accepted or be in touch with a mentor before the deadline.
