Slovakia launched aggressive new funding programs in 2026 to attract talent from around the world. These programmes offer some of the highest salaries in Central Europe. For the 2026/2027 school year, the focus is on high-achieving undergraduates and researchers, with a special emphasis on using standard tests (SATs) to choose students.
1. New scholarships for talented students from other countries
The Slovakian Ministry of Education started this high-value program to attract the best undergraduate and master’s students from around the world.
- The prize is €5,000 per school year, which is paid out as €500 a month from September to June.
- Value: Up to €15,000 over three years for a bachelor’s degree or €10,000 over two years for a master’s degree.
- Selection Criterion: Only SAT scores are used to choose who gets in.
- The lowest score is 1100.
- Dates for the SAT in 2026: Scores from tests taken on May 2, 2026, and June 6, 2026, are accepted for the next cycle.
- 2026/2027 Time frame:
- Registration will open in June 2026.
- Portal for Applications: Scholarships. portalvs.sk
- Anyone who has not lived in Slovakia since January 1, 2021, is eligible.
2. ODA: Slovak Republic Government Scholarship
A “full-ride” programme is just for students from developing countries (partners in official development assistance).
- The Prize: 100% Paid for.
- €700 per month for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or €1,100 for a PhD.
- Benefits: free tuition, housing, health insurance, and one-time payments of €100 for starting and €200 for finishing.
- Language preparation: If the chosen program is taught in Slovakia, it includes a fully paid 10-month Slovak language course.
- 2026/2027 Time frame:
- The portal will be active on March 23, 2026.
- Deadline for applications: May 25, 2026 (now).
- Target countries include Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, and more. Use vladnestipendia.sk to apply.
3. The National Scholarship Programme (NSP)
This programme lets students, PhD candidates, and university teachers move around for short periods of time (1–2 semesters).
- The prize: monthly payments to help with living expenses.
- For students: €620 a month.
- For PhD students, it’s €1,025 a month.
- Teachers and researchers at universities make between €1,025 and €1,470 a month.
- 2026/2027 Due dates:
- April 30, 2026: For stays that begin in the Winter Semester of 2026/2027.
- For stays that start in the summer semester of 2026/2027, the date is October 31, 2026.
- Link: grants.sk
4. How to Avoid the “Slovak Language Year” in 2026
Many government scholarships put a lot of weight on studying in Slovak, but you can get around this requirement: English-Taught Programmes: Currently, over 150 programmes are available in English. Find them with the Portal VS.
- English-Taught Programmes: Currently, over 150 programmes are available in English. Find them with the portal vs.
- The SAT Path: You don’t need to speak Slovak to get the “Scholarships for Talented Students” (see #1). You can use it for degrees in English at public universities.
- MOI Waiver: For Master’s and PhD programmes, an official Medium of Instruction letter from your last university is often enough instead of an IELTS or TOEFL score.
5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- The Government Scholarship (ODA) portal opened on March 23, 2026.
- The National Scholarship Program (NSP) ends April 30, 2026.
- The government ODA scholarship’s last day is May 25, 2026.
- The last day to take the SAT for the “Talented Students” scholarship is June 6, 2026.
- The €15,000 Talented Students grant will be open for registration in June 2026.
Final Thoughts
The €15,000 Talented Students Scholarship is the best choice for high achievers because it gives money to students with high SAT scores no matter where they are from. The government ODA scholarship is the best way for students from developing countries to obtain money. Because Slovakia is currently focusing on quantitative talent and international cooperation, you should focus your application on your SAT preparation or your development impact.
