The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic for the Support of Mobility of Students, PhD. Students, University Teachers and Researchers

Establishment of the National scholarship programme for the support of mobility of students, PhD. students, university* teachers and researchers was approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic under the terms of MINERVA programme. MINERVA is official governmental programme for the development of knowledge-based economy in Slovakia. It is based on the Competitiveness Strategy of Slovakia until 2010: the National Lisbon Strategy that was adopted by the Government of the SR in February 2005. The aim of MINERVA is to pursue activities to support development of so called knowledge-based economy in Slovakia. These activities focus on four basic areas: 1st science, R&D and innovations; 2nd education and employment; 3rd business environment and 4th information society.

The National scholarship programme of the Slovak Republic is funded by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS, PhD. STUDENTS, UNIVERSITY* TEACHERS AND RESEARCHERS

The National scholarship programme of the Slovak Republic is also intended to support mobility of foreign students, PhD. students, university* teachers and researchers to stay at Slovak universities* and research institutions.

Types of scholarships:
a) Scholarships for foreign university* students to take part in Master (graduate) study over a period of 1 to 2 semesters (from 5 to 10 months) at Slovak universities*.
b) Scholarships for foreign PhD. students to take a part of PhD. study over a period of 1 to 12 months at the Slovak universities* or research institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.
c) Scholarships for foreign university* teachers and researchers over a period of 1 to 12 months to carry out teaching or research at the Slovak universities*, research institutes or nongovernmental organisations on the basis of an invitation.

Citizens from following countries can apply for scholarships:
a) European Union member states – Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom;
b) Other countries participating in the Bologna process (named are only countries that are not stated in item a) – Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Norway, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine;
c) Belarus;
d) Canada, Central American countries, Latin American countries, Mexico, the United States of America;
e) Australia, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Taiwan.

Amount of a monthly scholarship:
a) university* students: 7 000 Sk
b) PhD. students : 14 000 Sk
c) university* teachers, researchers: lecturers with or without a PhD. degree 20 000 Sk, associated professors 25 000 Sk, professors 30 000 Sk
1 EUR = 37.5 SKK, 1 USD = 31 SKK

Application form
Application form is available in a print and an electronic version. Print version will be at applicants’ disposal at Slovak diplomatic missions (embassies) abroad, electronic version is accessible at the Ministry of Education of the SR website www.minedu.sk and Slovak Academic Information Agency (SAIA, n. o.) website www.saia.sk.

Deadlines for applications for further academic years will be 15 May and 15 November.

Application forms must be received by deadline at:

SAIA, n. o.
Námestie slobody 23
812 20 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic

Deadlines for applications in an academic year 2006/2007:
15 June 2006
- for academic year 2006/2007
15 November 2006
- for summer semester 2006/2007

Selection procedure of applicants from abroad
The selection committee, appointed by the minister of education of the SR, will carry out the selection of scholarship holders. The selection committee will include representatives of the Ministry of Education of the SR, Slovak universities*, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and SAIA, n. o.

Required documents that must be attached to the application form by foreign students and PhD. students applying for a study/research stay (1 set of original documents + 2 sets of copies):

• completed scholarship application form;
• structured Curriculum Vitae;
• motivation letter;
• detailed study or research programme;
• 2 recommendation letters provided by applicant’s professors;
• language certificate (Slovak or other foreign language in which the scholarship programme will be conducted);
• confirmation letter from a sending university* certifying that applicant is a full-time student or in case of a PhD. student a confirmation certifying enrolment in a PhD. study;
• certified copy of a Bachelor’s diploma or Master’s diploma and a certificate of a state exam;
• transcript of records (in case of students);
• list of publications (in case of PhD. students);
• admission or invitation letter from a receiving Slovak university* or research institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences proclaiming commitment that applicant will be enrolled in a study or research programme;
• a photograph for each set.

Required documents that must be attached to the application form by foreign university* teachers and researchers (1 set of original documents + 2 sets of copies):

• completed scholarship application form;
• structured Curriculum Vitae;
• detailed professional programme (including date of arrival and period of stay);
• list of publications;
• invitation letter issued by Slovak university* or research institute;
• a photograph for each set.

SAIA, n. o. will send by post the notification of granting or refusing a scholarship to all applicants by 15 July 2006 or to applicants for a summer semester scholarship by 22 December 2006.

NOTE:
* The term „university“ used in this programme refers to all higher education institutions.

Contact:
SAIA, n. o.
Námestie slobody 23
812 20 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic

Tel.: +421 2 544 11 426 (436)
Fax: +421 2 544 11 429
E-mail:
www.saia.sk

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