The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic, usually shortened to NSP, is a Slovak government scholarship that pays you to spend 3 to 10 months studying or researching in Slovakia. It does not pay for a full degree. That one detail decides whether it is right for you, so keep it in mind as you read.
The NSP is financed from the Slovak state budget by the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth and run by SAIA, n.o. It is open to applicants from almost every country. The only nationality excluded is Slovak citizens, so Pakistani students can apply. You can read the full scholarship details on our site, and this guide explains how the programme works in practice and where applicants usually go wrong.
A mobility stay, not a degree
Most Pakistani students searching for "fully funded scholarships in Europe" want a complete Master's or PhD paid for. The NSP is a different thing. It funds a stay of 3 to 10 months at a Slovak public or accredited private higher education institution or research organisation, while you remain enrolled or employed back home. During that time you might do part of your thesis research, take coursework, or work with a Slovak academic host.
So who does this suit? A Master's or PhD student already enrolled at a Pakistani university who wants an EU research component on their CV. A PhD candidate who needs access to a lab or supervisor in a specific technical field. A university teacher, researcher or artist with an active affiliation who wants a funded period abroad. The programme also covers those last three groups, though the student category is where most readers of this site will fit.
Who should skip it? Anyone who has just finished a bachelor's degree and has no current enrolment. Anyone hoping to move to Europe for a full degree. You need an existing academic affiliation to apply, and the scholarship ends when your stay ends.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded mobility stay: monthly stipend plus travel grant for students and PhD candidates |
| Levels | Master's and PhD students (also university teachers, researchers and artists) |
| Length of stay | 3 to 10 months |
| Deadlines | 30 April (autumn/winter semester stays) and 31 October (spring/summer semester stays) |
| Country | Slovakia |
| Fields | All fields |
| Provider | Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic / SAIA, n.o. |
| Official site | scholarships.sk |
What the EUR 1,470 monthly stipend and travel grant cover
Master's and PhD students receive a monthly stipend of approximately EUR 1,470. That figure is subject to annual adjustment, so check the current rate on the official portal before you plan your budget around it.
Students and PhD candidates can also get a travel grant. It is calculated by the distance between your home institution and your Slovak host, which helps with international airfare. Coming from Pakistan, the distance is significant, but the exact amount depends on the official calculation, so confirm it with SAIA rather than guessing.
Beyond money, you are not charged tuition fees for the mobility stay itself, and the host institution helps you arrange accommodation. Note that it helps arrange accommodation. It does not say the accommodation is free, so the rent will most likely come out of your stipend.
Slovakia has a relatively low cost of living compared with Western Europe, which means the stipend goes further than it would in many EU capitals. Bratislava, KoΕ‘ice and Ε½ilina have the largest groups of international researchers and students, and the technical universities in those cities have a growing number of English-taught research groups.
The eligibility rules that actually filter people out
The formal requirements are short:
- You can be of any nationality except Slovak.
- You must currently be enrolled as a Master's or PhD student, or working as a university teacher, researcher or artist, at a recognised institution outside Slovakia.
- You need a letter of invitation or acceptance from a Slovak host institution confirming it is willing to host you.
- You need a clear study or research plan for a stay of 3 to 10 months.
- You need good academic standing at your home institution.
The nationality rule is generous. The real filter is the invitation letter. Without a Slovak host who has agreed in writing to take you, your application is incomplete. Most people who fail to apply in time fail at this step, not at the online form.
The source lists "good academic standing" without a specific grade cut-off. Do not assume there is a CGPA number you must hit, and do not assume there is none either. If your grades are weak, a strong and feasible research plan matters even more.
Getting the invitation letter from a Slovak host
Start here, months before the deadline. The invitation letter is the hardest document to get quickly, because it depends on someone else's time and goodwill.
- Look for departments and research groups in Slovakia that work on your exact topic. Technical and engineering fields are a particular strength.
- Write a short, specific email to a potential academic contact. Say what you are working on at your home university, what you want to do during a 3 to 10 month stay, and why their group fits.
- Attach a brief CV and a one-page outline of your plan. Make it easy for them to say yes.
- Once they agree, ask for a written letter of invitation or acceptance that confirms they are willing to host you.
A common mistake is sending the same generic email to dozens of professors. Reviewers and hosts can tell. Tailor your study or research plan tightly to the host institution's actual research strengths, both in your first email and in the final application.
Documents for the scholarships.sk application
You will need six items:
- The online application form on the scholarships.sk portal
- The letter of invitation or acceptance from your Slovak host institution
- Your study or research plan for the stay
- A CV
- Confirmation of your current enrolment or employment at your home institution
- A copy of your passport or ID
For Pakistani applicants, the enrolment confirmation is usually a letter from your university's registrar or department. Get it on official letterhead and make sure the dates are current. For general advice on preparing paperwork, our documents checklist for international scholarships is a useful reference.
Keep the CV and study plan concise and focused on outcomes. Reviewers assess feasibility as much as ambition. A plan that promises a complete new model of something in four months reads worse than one that sets out a realistic piece of work you can finish in the time.
Applying through the portal
- Identify a Slovak host institution and academic contact in your field.
- Secure a written letter of invitation or acceptance from the host.
- Register and complete the online application at scholarships.sk before the relevant deadline (30 April or 31 October).
- Upload the invitation letter, study or research plan, CV and supporting documents.
- Wait for evaluation by the NSP selection committee.
- If successful, you receive an award letter and then register for a Slovak student or researcher visa or residence permit if required.
The full programme terms for foreign applicants are on the SAIA NSP terms and conditions page. Read it before you submit, since it is the official rulebook.
Choosing between the April and October deadlines
There are two application windows each year. The 30 April deadline is for stays in the autumn/winter semester. The 31 October deadline is for stays in the spring/summer semester. Evaluation takes roughly 6-8 weeks after each deadline, results are announced after that, and your stay starts on the date you agree with your host institution.
Pick the round that fits your home academic calendar. If your Pakistani university's semester structure means you can leave for an autumn start, aim for April. If spring works better, aim for October. Dates and procedures can change, so confirm the exact deadline on the official portal for the round you are targeting.
Then think about what comes after the award. You may need a visa or residence permit for Slovakia, and that takes time. Budget extra weeks for it. If you have not dealt with an EU visa before, read our guide on common student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students so you avoid easy mistakes.
Where NSP applicants go wrong
Treating the NSP as a degree scholarship is the biggest one. If you apply hoping it will turn into a full Master's in Europe, you will be disappointed. It is a short, funded stay attached to a degree you are already doing.
Starting with the form instead of the host. The online form takes an evening. The invitation letter can take weeks or months.
Writing a vague plan. "I want to gain international exposure" tells the committee nothing. Say what you will do, with whom, and what you will have at the end.
Ignoring timing at home. Check with your own department that a 3 to 10 month absence will not delay your degree or break any rules on enrolment. Your home university has to stay part of the picture, since your enrolment is a condition of eligibility.
Planning around an exact stipend figure. The EUR 1,470 rate is approximate and adjusted annually, so leave some margin in your budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the NSP?
Yes. The programme is open to almost any nationality, and only Slovak citizens are excluded.
Does the NSP pay for a full Master's or PhD in Slovakia?
No. It funds mobility stays of 3 to 10 months for students, researchers, teachers and artists who are already affiliated with an institution. It does not fund full degree programmes.
Do I really need an invitation letter before applying?
Yes. A letter of invitation or acceptance from a Slovak host institution is a required part of the application, so contact potential hosts early.
How much money will I get each month?
Approximately EUR 1,470 per month for Master's and PhD students, plus a distance-based travel grant. The stipend is subject to annual adjustment, so check the current figure on the official portal.
Is there a specific field I must study?
No. The NSP is open to all fields. Technical and engineering fields are a particular strength of Slovak universities, but any field can apply if you find a suitable host.
When are results announced?
Evaluation takes about 6-8 weeks after each deadline, and results follow that evaluation period. Your stay then begins on the start date agreed with your host.
Before you apply, check the current rules and dates on the official NSP portal, and see the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic page for the full scholarship summary.