Slovakia Talent Scholarship 2026: Apply for Up to €15,000

Scholarship Overview

The Slovakia Talent Scholarship 2026 is a competitive funding program administered by the Slovak Ministry of Education, Research & Youth. Designed to attract international talent to public Slovak higher education institutions, the program provides a monthly stipend to support living costs for students enrolled in full-time bachelor’s or master’s programs. A total of 225 scholarships are available for the 2026/2027 academic cycle.

Can Pakistani Students Apply?

Yes, Pakistani students are eligible to apply. The program is open to international applicants worldwide who hold citizenship outside of Slovakia and have not held permanent residency in Slovakia since January 1, 2021. Applicants must meet specific standardized testing criteria, regardless of their home country.

Funding and Benefits

The scholarship provides a monthly living stipend of €500 for 10 months of each academic year. Total funding limits are:

• Undergraduate/Combined Programs: Up to €15,000 over 3 academic years.
• Master’s Programs: Up to €10,000 over 2 academic years.

Note that this grant does not explicitly cover tuition fees, airfare, or visa costs. Tuition fee waivers depend on the specific public university's policy.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Citizenship outside of Slovakia.
• No permanent residency in Slovakia between January 1, 2021, and the application deadline.
• Enrollment in a full-time, in-person study program aligned with the SK RIS3 2021+ strategy (Industrial, Green Mobility, Digital, Healthcare, or Agricultural fields).
• Minimum SAT score of 1,100 (taken after Jan 1, 2021) or an average SCIO percentile of 63% or higher.

Required Documents

All documents must be uploaded in PDF format:

• Notarized copy of your passport.
• Signed solemn declaration regarding residency status.
• Official SAT or SCIO test score report.
• Structured CV using the official portal template.
• Personal motivation letter using the official portal template.
• Guardian consent for applicants under 18.

Application Timeline

• Application Deadline: July 31, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.
• Study Start: Autumn 2026.

Selection Process

The selection process is a mathematical ranking system based on standardized test performance. SAT scores are prioritized over SCIO results, and higher scores in the Mathematics section serve as tie-breakers.

How to Apply

1. Verify your program aligns with the SK RIS3 2021+ framework.
2. Submit a separate admission application directly to your chosen Slovak public university.
3. Complete the scholarship portal application, including uploading notarized documents and test scores.

Pakistan-Specific Application Advice

Pakistani students should prioritize regional universities outside of Bratislava to take advantage of the larger ESIF-funded seat pool (110 seats for Bachelor's, 35 for Master's). Ensure your passport is notarized by a recognized authority; standard scans are grounds for disqualification.

Important Terms and Limitations

The scholarship is a maintenance grant, not a full-coverage package. Failure to secure independent university admission alongside the scholarship application will result in the immediate forfeiture of the funding.