The Fulbright Slovak Student Program offers research fellowships for students pursuing a PhD. in support of their dissertation, or those who have completed a master's degree and are interested in pursuing an independent research project, especially in creative fields where a PhD. is not typical. The research fellowship can be conducted at any accredited academic institution in the United States - university, research institute, etc. A research fellowship in the U.S. can last from 6 to 9 months. Applications are open to all fields of study except clinical medicine (direct patient contact).
The monthly instalment is calculated according to the location of the host institution
international economy class airfare via the most direct route from home of the grantee to the authorized destination in the U.S.
J-1 visa sponsorship for grantee and J-2 visa sponsorship for dependents
Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges covering basic healthcare (supplemental private insurance highly recommended)
The Commission helps grantees prepare for their stay in the U.S. while the Institute of International Education (IIE) provides on-going support over the course of the grant
Applicants apply online and no documents need to be sent to the Commission. The Commission will then request certified copies of the documents from successful applicants, together with an official translation into English.
The application must include: a CV, a Research Objective, a Personal Statement, 3 Letters of Recommendation, and a Letter of Invitation from an accredited U.S. university or research institution. TOEFL/IELTS test results must be provided if they are required by the host institution. Two supplemental forms are included in the online application: Authorization to Process Personal Data and Declaration of Generative AI Use in the Application. If you experience difficulties completing these forms electronically, you may request them by email .
All candidates are encouraged to arrange a personal/online consultation with the program coordinator via email dasa@fulbright.sk prior to submitting their application. In addition to the research plan, it is a good idea to have a list of institutions to which the candidate would like to apply prepared prior to the consultation, or to discuss these institutions during the consultation.
All Fulbright applications will be reviewed in light of the current priorities of the U.S. and Slovak governments. If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to contact the program coordinator.
The Fulbright application form is uniform worldwide. Please follow the instructions for Slovak applicants to complete the application form correctly.
Join us for an information webinar introducing the Fulbright Slovak Student Program. Dates for the webinars will be announced in early fall.
Fulbright Slovak Student Application Form AY 2027/28The application period is open from July to December of the current calendar year. The deadline for applications for the 2027/2028 academic year is December 1, 2026. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Application cycle is open.
Deadline for application submissions. Approximately one week after the deadline, applications are reviewed by the Commission as to whether they are complete and meet all required formalities and eligibility criteria.
Research Objectives are sent for expert reviews.
The most qualified candidates will be invited to a virtual interview (interviews may not be rescheduled). Candidates will be informed of the results of the selection process within approximately two weeks of their interview.
Initial administrative steps are taken.
Selected candidates are notified of official approval by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB).
Grant documents are issued. Administrative steps to process visa applications and departure for the U.S. are taken, if grant starts in the fall semester.*
Pre-departure orientation for grantees is hosted by the Commission.
Visa interviews are conducted with grantees departing for the U.S. in the fall.
* If the grant starts in the spring semester, administrative steps to process visa applications and departure for the U.S. are taken between September and December, and visa interviews are conducted December-January.
I am a Slovak citizen studying abroad. Can I apply?
Yes, you can. However, preference may be given to candidates living and studying in Slovakia.
I am not a Slovak citizen but I study at a Slovak institution. Can I apply?
Foreign nationals are not eligible for Fulbright scholarship in Slovakia even though they study at Slovak institutions. If you wish to apply for Fulbright scholarship, contact the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country for more information.
Can family members travel to the U.S. with me?
Yes, if they qualify as a dependent - a spouse, or a child who is financially dependent upon a grantee and as long as any such child’s age does not exceed 21 years. Unfortunately, the Fulbright Commission does not provide any financial support to dependents within the student program, but it will assist dependents in obtaining the necessary visa to accompany the grantee (J-2 visa).
Do I need to obtain an invitation letter from the U.S. host institution?
Yes, and it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain the letter of invitation. Applicants are further required to upload the letter of invitation to the online application form.
Do I need to include a TOEFL score or another English language certificate in my application?
You are required to provide proof of English language proficiency if your U.S. host institution requires it. This requirement should be specified in the Letter of Invitation. Requirements vary by institution and may differ with respect to: the accepted English-language test (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test) and the minimum score required for affiliation. If your host institution requires proof of English language proficiency, please contact the Slovak Fulbright Commission for guidance and information about the possibility of receiving a testing voucher.
I am in my final year of Ph.D. studies. Can I apply?
Candidates may not travel on a Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher grant after completing their Ph.D. degree. Candidates who are in the final stage of their doctoral studies must remain enrolled and postpone completion of their Ph.D. until after the grant period.
Is there a list of U.S. universities where I am required conduct research with a Fulbright scholarship?
There is no such list. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain the letter of invitation. Applicants are further required to upload the letter of invitation to the online application form.
Is there any age limit for student program?
No, there is not.
What is a transcript of records?
It is a transcript of all courses taken during Bachelor and Master’s studies, including all grades and credits.
What is a Diploma Supplement?
It is an official document issued by the university together with a diploma that includes all courses taken, grades and credits. It should also include a description of the Slovak higher education system.
How do I upload my diploma and transcript of records into my application?
Please follow the instructions on how to upload documents to the online application after you log in to your account. If you experience any technical difficulties, contact our office for assistance.
Should I send a copy of the diploma and transcript of records to the Commission?
Please follow the country specific instructions and upload all required documents in the respective sections of your application online. Only selected candidates are notified by the Commission and requested to provide original copies and official English translations of their diplomas, diploma supplements and transcripts of records.
Can I be affiliated with more than one U.S institution?
No, such option is not possible.
Can I reapply for the student program should I not be successful?
Candidates who were not successful are welcome to reapply when the next application cycle opens as long as they meet all eligibility criteria.
Can I apply for other scholarships and combine it with a Fulbright award?
Candidates may receive financial support from other organizations but a Fulbright grant will not be awarded to persons who are concurrently recipients of benefits from other scholarships or fellowships designed to cover all expenses in connection with an educational project in the United States.
Can I apply for Fulbright Award if my research is in the medical field?
Yes, candidates from all academic discipines are welcome to apply. The only restriction applies to clinical medicine: the proposed research projects may not involve direct contact with patients.
If I am studying outside Slovakia and have no ties to Slovak institutions, do I have a chance of being selected?
Applicants who are studying outside Slovakia and do not have any affiliation with Slovak institutions have only a very limited chance of being selected for the program. Applicants with an international academic profile may wish to consider applying instead for a Fulbright-Schuman grant for postgraduate study or research. Please note that it is not possible to apply for both a Fulbright-Schuman grant and the Fulbright Slovak Student Program in the same application year.
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2009-10, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Current position:
Co-Founder of Ové Pictures, artist, film director
Testimonial:
“I am a storyteller and I work with various narratives. If I were to tell my personal story, the Fulbright scholarship would be a very important moment in the plot - the crossroads at which my direction has taken a whole new course. I am very grateful for that.”
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2009-10
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2013-14, Columbia University
Current position:
President of the Matthias Bel Institute in Bratislava & former Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities
Testimonial:
“The Fulbright scholarship was the most intense year of my life: apart from the rigorous studies, I was also able to attend many, many events, visit exhibitions and museums, meet with incredible people & just wander in New York City in general. The scholarship kickstarted by career: I found a number of people that I still work with even today, completed my master's thesis and redesigned my career plans. As it happens, the Fulbright Scholarship played in a great role in achieving one of my dreams & becoming the plenipotentiary for Roma communities in Slovakia. It was a great experience that I would definitely recommend to all aspiring academics, young and old!”
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2013-14
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2019-20, Department of Sociology of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Sociology of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Current position:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at PROMENTA Research Center, University of Oslo, Norway
Testimonial:
“At my host institution, I had the honor to work in close collaboration with professor Arne L. Kalleberg, a sociologist whose work and ideas have been an immense source of inspiration for my academic work ever since I remember. I cannot possibly describe the impact this experience had on my personal and professional growth. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with such a renowned scholar was not only a great lesson, but also a dream come true. During my stay in Chapel Hill, I met many amazing people and made some wonderful memories that I will cherish fondly for the rest of my life. None of this would be possible was it not for the program of J.W. Fulbright commission, a fantastic opportunity for all scholars to grow and advance their careers.”
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2019-20
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2018-19, Washington State University
Current position:
Assistant Professor, O.P. Jindal Global University, India
Testimonial:
“Fulbright štipendium mi otvorilo dvere do Spojených štátov v nespočetných ohľadoch. Naďalej získavam inšpiráciu a “The Fulbright scholarship opened the doors for me to the United States in so many ways. I continue to gain inspiration and motivation from the contacts, experiences and knowledge I obtained during my stay in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. At a time when international and intercultural education are keys to the advancement of democratic communities, I highly recommend the postgraduate program for anyone willing to push their boundaries and gain new insights in and well beyond their research or study interests.”
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2018-19
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2002-2003, Russian and East European Center, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Current position:
Assistant professor at Department of English and American Studies at the Faculty of Humanities of Matej Bel University
Testimonial:
“Applying for a Fulbright Program in the United States was one of the best decisions in my professional career. Perhaps the most transforming, for me as a teacher, was my encounter with the American system of higher education. Although I was a visiting scholar, I was allowed to enroll for several courses related to my area of expertise. I was amazed to see graduate students being treated as equals by their instructors. The emphasis on developing critical thinking skills was truly inspiring. It made me realize that in a democracy excellent teaching at an institution of higher education is equally important as its scholarly output.”
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2002-2003
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student Program, 2013-2014, Spitzer School of Architecture, The City College of New York, The City University of NY
Current position:
Head of Participatory Planning Office, Metropolitan institute of Bratislava, moderator and author of radio program Živé Mesto FM, Radio FM
Testimonial:
„Fulbright scholarship was one of the best opportunities in life to experience different education system, to meet the best brains in the field, to spend hours in discussion with professors who had curious and partnership approach to me. It showed me the streets of New York in the way that even NY citizens do not know it, I walked through it, observed the life and searched for urban development linkages. It showed me how perseverance, curiosity and the desire to keep personally growing are the real philosophy of life and how complaining, as a cultural phenomenon, will lead us nowhere“
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2013-2014
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student Program, 2016-2017, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University
Current position:
Researcher, European Space Policy Institute, Vienna
Testimonial:
Fulbright scholarship was an invaluable cultural and professional experience, and it opened for me many doors when seeking next career steps afterwards.
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2016-17
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Student Program, 2012-2013, Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies at Columbia University
Current position:
Associate Professor of International Relations, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Testimonial:
“Fulbright Scholarship allowed me to conduct research under the mentorship of world’s leading experts. Thanks to the scholarship I could spend a year at Columbia University in New York, build new networks, and expand my research horizons. This was a unique opportunity to kick-start my research career.“
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2012-13
Program, year, host institution:
Fulbright Slovak Scholar Program, 2017-2018, Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut
Current position:
Analyst at the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education; Research staff at the Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology at the Slovak Academy of Sciences; Ph.D. student at the Department for the Study of Religions at FF MU in Brno
Testimonial:
“The Fulbright Scholarship is one of the most prestigious grant awards in academia, opening the door to the "big world". Thanks to Fulbright, I had the opportunity to do research at a top anthropological lab in the USA and become part of an amazing alumni community. This experience has had a major impact on my career, as well as my determination to support democracy in Slovakia and cooperation with the United States, in the spirit of the Fulbright mission.“
Fulbright Slovak Student, 2017-18