Slovak National Scholarship Programme (SAIA)
Studying in Europe is a life-changing opportunity, but for many international students the biggest concern is the cost of living. Even though tuition fees in Slovakia are already much lower than in Western Europe, daily expenses can still be challenging for some students.
This is where the Slovak National Scholarship Programme (SAIA) becomes extremely attractive. The program allows international students, PhD candidates, researchers, and university teachers to receive monthly financial support while studying or conducting research in Slovakia.
For the 2026 academic year, the Slovak government continues to invest in attracting global talent through this scholarship program. With the right preparation and application strategy, international students can receive funding that fully covers their living expenses while studying in Slovakia.
This guide explains how the Slovak National Scholarship Programme (SAIA) works and how international applicants can secure funding in 2026.
What is the Slovak National Scholarship Programme (SAIA)
The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) was established by the Slovak government to support international academic mobility. It is administered by the Slovak Academic Information Agency (SAIA).
The program aims to bring talented international students and researchers to Slovak universities and research institutions.
Unlike many scholarships in Western countries that have strict nationality restrictions, the SAIA scholarship is open to applicants from almost any country in the world.
The scholarship supports several categories of participants:
- international university students
- PhD candidates
- university teachers
- academic researchers
Participants can apply either for a short-term research stay or for funding covering a full academic semester.
SAIA Scholarship Amounts in 2026
One of the biggest advantages of the Slovak National Scholarship Programme is that it provides a monthly stipend rather than just a tuition waiver.
The stipend is designed to cover normal living expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, and daily costs.
Monthly Stipend Overview
| Category | Monthly Scholarship |
|---|---|
| University Students (Bachelor’s / Master’s) | €600 – €700 |
| PhD Students | €1,025 – €1,100 |
| Researchers / University Teachers | €1,200 – €1,400+ |
For many students, this amount is more than enough to cover the cost of living in Slovakia, especially when staying in university dormitories.
Travel Grant
In addition to the monthly scholarship, SAIA also provides a one-time travel allowance.
The amount depends on the distance between Slovakia and the applicant’s home country.
Typical travel grants range between:
€50 – €1,500
This funding helps cover transportation costs when relocating to Slovakia.
Application Deadlines for 2026
The SAIA scholarship application system operates with strict deadlines. Missing the deadline means the application cannot be considered.
There are two main application periods each year.
Main Application Deadline
April 30, 2026 – 16:00 CET
This is the most important deadline and applies to applicants who want funding for the 2026/2027 academic year starting in September.
Secondary Application Deadline
October 31, 2026 – 16:00 CET
This deadline applies to students applying for funding for the summer semester beginning in February.
Applicants should prepare their documents well in advance because the SAIA application system closes automatically at the deadline.
Who Can Apply for the SAIA Scholarship
The Slovak National Scholarship Programme is open to international applicants who want to study or conduct research at Slovak universities or research institutions.
Eligible applicants include:
- international bachelor’s or master’s students
- PhD candidates
- academic researchers
- university lecturers
Applicants must demonstrate a strong academic background and clearly explain the purpose of their study or research stay in Slovakia.
How the Application Process Works
Applying for the SAIA scholarship requires several important steps.
Step 1: Obtain an Acceptance Letter
Before submitting the scholarship application, applicants must first receive an official invitation or acceptance letter from a Slovak university or research institution.
This document confirms that the institution agrees to host the applicant.
Step 2: Prepare the Application Documents
Applicants must typically submit:
- academic CV
- motivation letter
- study or research plan
- confirmation of university acceptance
These documents are evaluated by the scholarship committee.
Step 3: Submit the SAIA Application
Applications are submitted through the SAIA online application portal.
The evaluation committee reviews each application based on academic achievements, motivation, and the quality of the proposed study or research project.
Why the SAIA Scholarship is Attractive
Compared with many international scholarship programs, the Slovak National Scholarship Programme offers several advantages.
Students and researchers benefit from:
- monthly financial support
- travel allowance
- access to European universities and research institutes
- opportunity to build international academic connections
Because the cost of living in Slovakia is relatively affordable, many scholarship recipients can live comfortably while focusing entirely on their academic work.
Support from EduSlovakia
Applying for scholarships, contacting universities, and preparing academic documents can be complicated for international applicants.
EduSlovakia helps students and researchers successfully apply to Slovak universities and prepare competitive scholarship applications.
Our team assists with:
- identifying suitable universities and programs
- contacting professors and faculties
- preparing scholarship application documents
- guidance on SAIA funding opportunities
- relocation and administrative support
If you want to study in Slovakia with financial support through the Slovak National Scholarship Programme, EduSlovakia can guide you through every step of the application process.
