Slovak Republic
2 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program to Slovakia offers two open study or research grants. The award is open to graduating college seniors, graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, artists, and young professionals from all over the United States to study or conduct research in Slovakia for one academic year (9 months) in all kinds of disciplines. These awards aim to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Slovakia and to provide grantees with opportunities for research collaboration that extend into the future.
Slovakia is double the size of the state of New Hampshire and is located in the heart of Central Eastern Europe with its capital Bratislava. Known for its national parks, scenic hiking trails, hundreds of caves, rich folk culture, thermal and mineral waters springs, and modern entertainment in bigger cities, Slovakia has a lot to offer to outdoor addicts, history enthusiasts, and food lovers. Slovakia has gone through a very interesting political development over the last 31 years. The country itself was founded by the division of former Czechoslovakia in 1993. With its convenient geographical location at the intersection of East and West and a unique Central European vibe and tradition, it is a great place to explore Central European history and culture. Human sciences researchers can find Slovakia extremely interesting to conduct sociological, political, historicalor economic research. Historically, Slovakia is strong also in hard sciences. It is home to companies such as ESET or Sygic.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants are offered for 1 academic year (i.e. 9 months). Grantees are expected to schedule their academic programs to coincide with the Slovak academic year (September/October 2025 – May/June 2026) while exact arrival and departure times may vary. In well-justified cases, research activities can begin a few weeks earlier.
The academic year at Slovak institutions of higher education starts September 1st and runs through the end of August, divided into two terms (semesters) – winter and summer term. Each term consists of a minimum of 12 weeks of educational activities (lectures, seminars) and at least 4 weeks of the exam period. Winter courses run from mid-September through Christmas break with an exam period from January to mid-February. Summer courses start in mid-February through May with an exam period in June. However, the exact dates of the terms can slightly differ from university to university.
Orientation
Upon the arrival of grantees in Slovakia in September, the Commission organizes a mandatory 5-day orientation seminar in the capital of Bratislava to introduce them to the country, its specifics, and culture, higher education, healthcare system and provides grantees with information about the specifics of the Fulbright grants, a crash course in the Slovak language, and some networking and social activities.
Grantees also participate in a 4-day mandatory mid-year conference hosted by the Commission in late January/early February where grantees share their experience and best practices and meet new grantees coming to Slovakia for the Spring semester. The venue of the conference is outside the capital of Bratislava. Last year’s conference took place in Trenčianske Teplice, a small spa town in Western Slovakia.
Grantees can be occasionally invited to attend events hosted by the Commission or the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava (receptions, meet-ups in American centers, seminars, workshops, conferences, or webinars) as well as other cultural events.
The Slovak Fulbright Commission organizes an introductory Q&A webinar before grantees arrive in Slovakia. There is no in-person pre-departure orientation for the grantees held in the U.S.
Candidate Profile
Awards are open for all disciplines. Well-qualified candidates at all degree levels will be considered: graduating seniors, recent graduates, advanced graduate students, doctoral candidates, and those with previous research experiences can apply. Doctoral candidates can apply but cannot hold a doctoral degree at the time of pursuing the research stay in Slovakia.
Candidates must be mature, self-motivated individuals who are capable of working independently with little supervision. The Commission encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with Slovakia and its contemporary situation, culture, and educational system before applying. For more details about the country, school system, and other useful information, please visit the section About Slovakia on the Commission’s website.
The Commission reviews project proposals for their coherence and quality, and also takes into account the candidate's ability to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding between the people of Slovakia and the United States. Projects dealing with contemporary issues are especially encouraged.
In addition to their primary research activities, grantees are expected to support the Commission and the mission of the Fulbright Program by delivering presentations, seminars, and workshops on U.S. higher education and culture. The grantees will also have the opportunity to participate in various enrichment activities and seminars organized by other Fulbright Commissions in Europe.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Being a Fulbright grantee in Slovakia is a unique and transformative experience. Slovakia is double the size of the state of New Hampshire and is located in the heart of Central Eastern Europe. It is a fully integrated European country – a member of the EU and NATO since 2004, the Schengen Zone since 2007, and the Euro Zone since 2009. Being a member of the Schengen Zone, it is easily accessible and well-connected to neighboring countries. Slovakia is considered a very safe country. The Program cohort size allows an individual approach among the Fulbright Commission staff and the U.S. grantees.
Although U.S. grantees in Slovakia live in different towns, they often meet one another and plan trips and different activities together. Grantees are encouraged to explore all parts of the country.
Grantees are expected to be open-minded, and willing to share and learn as much as they can. Resilience and independence are further personality traits the position requires. Being representatives of the U.S. society & culture, for many Slovaks, they may be the only U.S. citizens they have met.
Eligibility
6 Months
Candidates must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of application (permanent residence is not sufficient).
Dual citizens of the U.S. and Slovakia are eligible for consideration. U.S. citizens currently residing in Slovakia are ineligible for consideration.
Candidates with dual U.S./other country citizenship may be accepted for a Fulbright grant to Slovakia but must always enter Slovakia on their U.S. passports and must have permanent residence in the U.S.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Slovak language proficiency is not required, unless necessary for the successful completion of the proposed projects in fields such as Slovak literature, language, history, anthropology, and political science. Some study of the Slovak language before arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement and grantee’s integration within the host community.
The in-country orientation held in late August/September will include a crash course in the Slovak language to equip grantees with basic Slovak phrases, greetings, and questions. Grantees can enroll in the Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture Studia Academica Slovaca, held in Bratislava during the summer. The Commission can partially cover the tuition fees for summer school. For more information contact the program officer: silvia@fulbright.sk.
Grantees can also sign up for an e-learning portal offering courses in Slovak to help them acquire basic language skills before they arrive: https://www.e-slovak.sk/
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Letter required at deadline
In Slovakia, the higher education system follows the Bologna system principles. According to the character and type of activities, the Slovak institutions of higher education can be divided into university-type institutions providing education up to the Ph.D. level of study, and non-university-type institutions providing education up to the Bachelor's level. All study programs must be accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic. There are 20 public, 3 state, and 10 private universities and colleges. The list of all universities can be found on the Register of Slovak Universities website.
It is the candidate's responsibility to identify appropriate host institution(s) for their projects and to include affiliation letters (invitation letter, recommendation letter) with their Fulbright applications. Appropriate institutions include Slovak institutions of higher education, research institutes, governmental agencies, museums, or other organizations providing higher education and/or conducting research. If needed, the Slovak Fulbright Commission can assist applicants in establishing contacts with appropriate Slovak institutions. Please, contact the program officer at: silvia@fulbright.sk.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to consider affiliations located outside of Bratislava, including Nitra, Žilina, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Košice, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences which is the main scientific and research institution in Slovakia fostering basic and applied research. Long-term academic and research partnerships between Slovak and U.S. institutions in the field of joint research, publications, people-to-people exchanges, and exchanges of know-how are highlighted in the U.S.-Slovak Cooperation Map. It can serve as a useful tool in your potential host institution search.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Tuitions and fees do not apply to public higher education institutions in Slovakia with Slovak as a language of instruction. Limited tuition and exceptional fees may apply to private higher education institutions or programs with English as a language of instruction. The Commission will help cover these fees for study or research if they occur.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The monthly stipend should cover the basic living expenses including rent, food, transportation expenses, and a reasonable amount for leisure time activities. Based on the Numbeo website the cost of living is approximately 37.9% lower than in the U.S.
Dependents
The Commission will assist dependents to obtain a national visa to join grantees during their grant and this visa is exempt from the visa fees. They are also invited to participate in some of the grant-related activities for the grantees, such as the in-country orientation, mid-year conference, and other cultural events organized by the Commission.
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for arranging their housing by themselves and should allow ample time to secure housing before departing for Slovakia. The host institutions are not obliged to find housing for grantees. The Slovak institutions of higher education usually offer accommodation for their students at university dormitories and may be able to offer some support to grantees, as well. The monthly rent differs, depending on the type of accommodation and placement. University dormitories are the most affordable type of accommodation. Rent in bigger cities is higher than in smaller towns. Private apartments in Slovakia are usually furnished with basic equipment (bed, wardrobe, table, chairs, stove, refrigerator).
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visas
Before traveling to Slovakia, Fulbright U.S. grantees must apply for a national visa at the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., or at the Slovak Consulate in New York City. This visa is exempt from all visa fees. The Commission will instruct grantees on how to apply for a national visa in a timely manner.
Grant Benefits
The standard grant benefits planned for the academic year 2025 – 2026 include the following (please note these may be subject to change):
Monthly stipend – $1,300 per month
One-time payments:
- Professional allowance (intended to cover expenses to obtain visas) – $100 to $800 depending on the permanent residency
- Round-trip air travel allowance – $1,500
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Register of Universities: https://www.portalvs.sk/en/informacie-o-vysokych-skolach
US – Slovak Cooperation Map: https://www.skuscooperation.sk/en/
Slovak Academy Of Sciences: https://www.sav.sk/?lang=en
About Slovakia (country overview and school system): https://www.fulbright.sk/en/about-slovakia
Fulbright Slovakia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FulbrightSlovakia
Fulbright Slovakia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FulbrightSlovakia
Fulbright Slovakia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UQsVS87VQK97EM_JgEWtA/featured
Fulbright Slovakia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-slovakia