SAS Attracts Top Scientific Talent to Slovakia
1. 6. 2026 | 727 visits
Outstanding scientists from around the world have an open door to Slovakia. On June 1, 2026, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) launched the sixth call of its IMPULZ grant programme. Internationally recognised researchers and highly talented young scientists once again have the opportunity to pursue their scientific ambitions in Slovakia under conditions comparable to those offered by prestigious European grants. Selected applicants may receive funding of up to EUR 800,000 for five-year projects. The call is open until September 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., with projects expected to begin in June 2027.
The Slovak Academy of Sciences has been launching the IMPULZ grant programme regularly since 2021. Each year, it supports three successful applicants. Thanks to the programme, a new generation of high-quality scientific leaders is joining SAS research institutes, increasing their internationalisation and global competitiveness. Profiles of previous fellows who came to Slovakia through the IMPULZ programme are available HERE.
“I am convinced that one of the most important tasks of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is to create conditions for the growth of scientific excellence. The IMPULZ programme is our flagship initiative, which we finance from our own resources because we believe that investing in talented and ambitious scientists is an investment in Slovakia’s future. I am pleased that, through this call, we can support the creation of new research teams, the development of original scientific directions, and the growth of individuals who will shape their disciplines both at home and abroad. IMPULZ is a symbol of our trust in science, our courage to support excellence, and our ambition to be a fully-fledged part of the European Research Area,” emphasised SAS President Martin Venhart.
The IMPULZ programme is intended for ambitious scientists who have already achieved internationally recognised results and are ready to take responsibility for leading their own research team. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to develop an independent research programme, experience in an international research environment, and high-quality scientific outputs. The programme provides motivating conditions for achieving these goals while further improving the research environment and scientific outputs of SAS institutes.
Successful applicants may receive a grant of up to EUR 800,000 for a five-year project. Eligible project costs include salaries and travel expenses, materials, research infrastructure, publication costs, and other related expenditures. Selected applicants will be employed by the relevant SAS research institutes, which will cover the indirect costs of the projects.
SAS launched the IMPULZ grant programme for the first time in 2021. Since then, 155 applicants from around the world have applied, and SAS has supported 15 projects. Projects from the first call, announced in 2021, will be completed in 2027. Projects from the second call are currently at the midpoint of their implementation period, and their researchers will present their progress and preliminary results in early June 2026.