Scholarships for Citizens of the Western Balkans for Master's Studies in Slovenia (380th Public Call)

Overview

The 380th Public Call is a scholarship programme funded by Slovenia's Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund, offering financial support to master's students from five Western Balkans countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Each recipient receives EUR 9,600 per year to cover living expenses, paid for the full official duration of their master's programme. The total budget allocated to this call is EUR 300,000, making it a significant investment in regional higher education development.

The scholarship is not a tuition waiver — it is a living cost contribution. Tuition fees at Slovenian public universities are set separately and must be covered through other means (some master's programmes are free for EU and certain non-EU students; check with your chosen institution). What the scholarship does provide is a meaningful monthly income that helps you live and study in Slovenia without relying entirely on family support or part-time work.

The eligible fields of study are targeted at areas of economic and social priority for Slovenia: natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, information and communication technology, engineering and manufacturing technologies, construction, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine, healthcare, and social security. If your master's programme falls outside these fields, you are not eligible for this particular call, and you should explore other scholarship channels at the University of Ljubljana or through the Fund's other open calls.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must hold citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, or Serbia. Dual nationals who also hold Slovenian citizenship are not eligible. If you already hold another EU member state citizenship, confirm your eligibility with the Fund before applying.

Academic Requirements

You must be enrolling in a master's (second-cycle) programme at an accredited Slovenian higher education institution. Your first-cycle (bachelor's) degree must be in a relevant field. While the call does not publish a minimum GPA, your admission to a Slovenian master's programme is a prerequisite — you cannot receive the scholarship without being accepted by a Slovenian university first.

Field of Study Requirements

Your master's programme must fall within one of the eligible fields: natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, ICT, engineering and manufacturing technologies, construction, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine, healthcare, or social security. Business, law, humanities, and social science programmes outside these categories do not qualify.

Residency and Administrative Requirements

You must register temporary residence in Slovenia by the application deadline and hold a valid power of attorney with a Slovenian resident if you are applying from abroad. From 1 October 2026, you must reside in Slovenia and hold a temporary residence permit for study purposes. These administrative steps are binding — failure to satisfy the residency condition results in loss of the scholarship.

What the Scholarship Covers

• EUR 9,600 per year for living expenses, paid for the full official duration of the master's programme
• Support continues across all years of the programme as long as you remain enrolled and meet the scholarship conditions

How to Apply

1. Get accepted to a Slovenian master's programme — Apply to and secure acceptance at an accredited Slovenian university in one of the eligible fields. You need this before you can complete the scholarship application meaningfully.
2. Register temporary residence in Slovenia — Or arrange a power of attorney with a Slovenian resident if you are applying from outside Slovenia. This is required by the application deadline.
3. Prepare your application package — Gather all required documents. These must be submitted in Slovenian or as certified translations — the Fund's detailed documentation list is published in the official call notice on their website (in Slovenian).
4. Submit by post to the Fund — Send your application to the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund, Dunajska 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Mark the envelope clearly: "for the 380th public call." The deadline is 2 September 2026.
5. Apply for a temporary residence permit — Once awarded the scholarship, apply for a temporary residence permit for study purposes and ensure you are resident in Slovenia from 1 October 2026.

Required Documents

• Completed application form for the 380th Public Call (available from the Fund's website)
• Valid passport or national ID
• Proof of acceptance or enrolment at a Slovenian master's programme in an eligible field
• Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts
• Proof of temporary residence registration in Slovenia or power of attorney with a Slovenian resident
• Certified translations of all documents into Slovenian where required
• Any additional documents specified in the Fund's official call notice

Key Dates and Deadlines

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Secure your university admission letter before tackling the scholarship application — without it you cannot fully demonstrate eligibility.
• Read the official Fund call document carefully (it is published in Slovenian, so use a translation tool or seek help from the university's international office if needed). The Fund's exact document requirements are detailed there, not just on third-party information pages.
• Contact the University of Ljubljana international office for guidance on the administrative residency and power of attorney steps — these are bureaucratic requirements that catch many applicants unprepared.
• Apply to the Slovenian university well before September so your admission letter is ready when you submit the scholarship application.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying for a master's programme outside the eligible fields and then expecting to qualify for this scholarship. The field restriction is firm.
• Sending the application package without clearly marking the envelope "for the 380th public call" — unlabelled envelopes can be misrouted.
• Missing the residency registration requirement. You must have registered temporary residence in Slovenia by 2 September 2026; arranging this last-minute is risky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 380th Public Call Scholarship for Western Balkans students in Slovenia?

It is a Slovenian government scholarship giving EUR 9,600 per year to master's students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia who study in eligible STEM, health, and related fields at Slovenian universities.

Who is eligible for the 380th Public Call Scholarship?

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia enrolling in master's programmes in natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, ICT, engineering, construction, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine, healthcare, or social security at an accredited Slovenian higher education institution.

What is the value of the 380th Public Call Scholarship?

EUR 9,600 per year, paid for the full official duration of your master's programme, specifically to cover living expenses in Slovenia.

What is the deadline for the 380th Public Call Scholarship?

2 September 2026. The application package must be submitted by post to the Public Scholarship Fund in Ljubljana, with the envelope marked "for the 380th public call."

Does the 380th Public Call Scholarship cover tuition fees?

No. It covers living expenses at EUR 9,600 per year. Tuition costs depend on your chosen Slovenian institution and programme, and must be arranged separately.

Do I need to be already enrolled at a Slovenian university to apply?

You need to be in the process of enrolling in a Slovenian master's programme. You should have at minimum a conditional or confirmed admission from the university before applying, as proof of programme enrolment is a required document.

What fields of study qualify for the 380th Public Call Scholarship?

Natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, ICT, engineering, manufacturing technologies, construction, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine, healthcare, and social security. Business, law, humanities, and most social sciences do not qualify.

Where do I submit the application for the 380th Public Call Scholarship?

By post to the Public Scholarship, Development, Disability and Maintenance Fund of the Republic of Slovenia, Dunajska 20, 1000 Ljubljana. Mark the envelope clearly for the 380th public call.

Can I apply for the 380th Public Call Scholarship if I already live in Slovenia?

Yes. If you have registered temporary residence in Slovenia, you meet the administrative residency requirement. Recipients must reside in Slovenia from 1 October 2026 and hold a temporary residence permit for study purposes.