Slovenia Bilateral Scholarships (CMEPIUS)

Overview

The Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes (CMEPIUS) administers bilateral scholarships that allow students and researchers from 17 partner countries to spend part of their undergraduate or postgraduate programme studying in Slovenia. The programme operates under bilateral educational cooperation agreements signed between Slovenia and each partner country, so the specific terms — which categories of recipient are eligible, how long the stay can be, and what fields are covered — are set by each individual agreement rather than by a single universal rulebook.

Eligible partner countries are Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, China, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Turkey. The confirmed monthly stipend for academic year 2026/2027 is EUR 400, complemented by free accommodation in student dormitory facilities and subsidised meals. Scholarship duration typically runs 3 to 10 months depending on the bilateral agreement terms, making this a short-to-medium-term mobility scholarship rather than a full degree award.

One procedural feature that catches many applicants off guard: you cannot apply to CMEPIUS as an individual. The competent national authority in your home country — usually the ministry of education or a designated national mobility agency — must nominate you and submit your dossier to CMEPIUS. Applications submitted directly by students to CMEPIUS are not processed. Additionally, without an original signed and sealed Letter of Acceptance from your Slovenian host institution, the scholarship cannot be awarded regardless of your nomination status.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of one of the 17 bilateral partner countries listed above. The specific recipient categories eligible from your country depend on the bilateral agreement between Slovenia and your home state. Some agreements cover only master's or doctoral students; others include undergraduate mobility. Your national authority will confirm which categories apply under your country's agreement.

Academic Requirements

You must be enrolled at a university in your home country at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The study or research period in Slovenia must be supervised by a Slovenian academic or conducted at a Slovenian higher education institution. You will remain enrolled at your home university for the duration of the stay — this is a mobility period, not a transfer.

Host Institution Requirement

You must obtain a Letter of Acceptance from a Slovenian higher education institution before the scholarship can be awarded. This letter must be original, signed, and sealed. Identifying a Slovenian supervisor or institution that agrees to host you is a prerequisite that must be in place before the nomination deadline.

Application Channel Requirement

Your national authority must nominate you — individual direct applications to CMEPIUS are not accepted. Find out which ministry or agency in your country manages the bilateral agreement with Slovenia, and make contact with them well before the nomination deadline (typically 31 March 2026 for most partner countries).

What the Scholarship Covers

• EUR 400 per month as a living stipend for the duration of the scholarship
• Free accommodation in Slovenian student dormitory facilities
• Subsidised meals at student canteens
• Study or research supervision at the Slovenian host institution

How to Apply

1. Find your national authority — Identify the body in your home country that manages the bilateral education agreement with Slovenia. This is usually the national ministry of education or a designated mobility agency. Contact them as early as January to ask whether the call for the coming academic year is open.
2. Find a Slovenian host institution — Research Slovenian universities and research institutes in your field. Email potential supervisors directly to introduce your research interests and ask about hosting. A signed Letter of Acceptance is required before the scholarship can be awarded.
3. Prepare your application dossier — Assemble all documents required by your national authority. All documents must be in or translated into Slovenian or English.
4. Submit through your national authority — Your country's competent authority submits the complete dossier, including the original signed and sealed Letter of Acceptance from your Slovenian host, to CMEPIUS by the bilateral deadline.
5. Receive placement confirmation from CMEPIUS — CMEPIUS processes the nomination and, if approved, confirms the scholarship. You then arrange your travel to Slovenia and register with your host institution.

Required Documents

• Application form from your national authority
• Valid passport
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae
• Research or study plan for the period in Slovenia
• Original Letter of Acceptance, signed and sealed, from your Slovenian host institution
• Language proficiency documentation if required under your bilateral agreement
• Any additional documents specified by your national authority

Key Dates and Deadlines

The nomination deadline for most partner countries is 31 March 2026, for the 2026/2027 academic year starting October 2026. Some bilateral agreements set different deadlines — your national authority will confirm the exact date for your country. Contact your national authority by January at the latest, since the Letter of Acceptance from the Slovenian host institution may take several weeks to arrange and must be in place before the nomination deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Reach out to potential Slovenian supervisors in October or November of the year before — lead time for a Letter of Acceptance can be two to three months, and without it you cannot be nominated.
• Write a focused research or study plan that describes specific work you will do in Slovenia. Vague plans give your host institution and CMEPIUS less reason to prioritise your case.
• Contact your national authority early to confirm whether your bilateral agreement covers your academic level and field of study — agreements vary significantly between countries.
• Confirm with CMEPIUS (via EURAXESS Slovenia or studyinslovenia.si) whether the 2026/2027 call is open for your country before investing time in preparation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying directly to CMEPIUS without going through your national authority. Direct applications are not processed.
• Submitting an application without the original signed and sealed Letter of Acceptance. Copies or unsigned letters are not accepted.
• Missing the March nomination deadline. CMEPIUS cannot process late nominations regardless of the reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarships (CMEPIUS)?

They are short-term study and research mobility scholarships funded by the Slovenian government, administered by CMEPIUS, allowing students and researchers from 17 bilateral partner countries to spend 3 to 10 months studying or conducting research at a Slovenian higher education institution.

What is the monthly stipend for the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarship?

EUR 400 per month for the 2026/2027 academic year, plus free accommodation in student dormitory facilities and subsidised meals.

Which countries are eligible for the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarships?

Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kosovo, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, China, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Turkey.

Can I apply directly to CMEPIUS for a bilateral scholarship?

No. You must be nominated by the competent national authority in your home country — usually the ministry of education or a designated mobility agency. Direct individual applications to CMEPIUS are not accepted.

What is the deadline for the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarship?

The nomination deadline for most partner countries is 31 March 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year. Your national authority may have an earlier internal deadline. Contact them by January to confirm.

Do I need a Letter of Acceptance from a Slovenian university?

Yes. An original, signed, and sealed Letter of Acceptance from your Slovenian host institution is mandatory. The scholarship cannot be awarded without it, so securing a host should be your first step.

Does the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarship cover a full degree programme?

No. It covers a mobility period of 3 to 10 months within your ongoing home-country degree programme. You remain enrolled at your home university during the stay.

What study levels are covered by the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarships?

Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels — but the specific categories available from your country depend on your bilateral agreement. Confirm with your national authority which levels are covered under your country's terms.

Does the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarship include accommodation?

Yes. Free accommodation in Slovenian student dormitory facilities and subsidised meals are provided in addition to the EUR 400 monthly stipend.

Who administers the Slovenia Bilateral Scholarships?

CMEPIUS — the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Mobility and European Educational and Training Programmes. Partner nominations are processed through national authorities in each eligible country and submitted to CMEPIUS centrally.