Imagine: you finished a Slovak high school or got your Ukrainian matriculation certificate recognized (nostrified), you dream of starting university in Slovakia, but money is a big problem. For Ukrainian students with temporary protection in Slovakia, there is a real chance to get a university education for free, thanks to the DAFI scholarship program from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The program, officially known as the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative, has been running since 1992 and has already helped over 26,000 young refugees worldwide. It started in Slovakia in 2022. Applications for the 2026/2027 academic year are accepted until August 31, 2026.
What is the DAFI program and who can apply?
The main goal of the DAFI program is to give young people with refugee status or temporary protection access to bachelor's level higher education in the country where they live. It is not just financial help, but an investment in the future, which allows them to find skilled work later and become independent.
Main criteria for applicants in Slovakia:
- Status: you must have refugee status or temporary protection (dočasné útočisko) in Slovakia. Important: temporary residence permit (prechodný pobyt) does not give the right to participate.
- Age: you must be under 28 years old at the start of your studies.
- Education: you must have a high school diploma with an average grade of at least 60% of the maximum possible.
- Enrollment: you have already been accepted to an accredited Slovak university for a bachelor's program or are currently studying in one, and you have more than two years left until graduation.
- Language: you must be fluent in the language in which your program is taught.
- Financial need: you need financial help to continue your studies.
- Motivation: you must have a strong desire to contribute to your community.
The program does not support master's level studies. Candidates whose family members have not yet received a DAFI scholarship are also given preference.
What financial help does the scholarship provide?
The DAFI scholarship is comprehensive support that allows students to focus on their studies without worrying about basic costs. It covers a wide range of needs.
What the scholarship covers:
- Accommodation and food.
- Local transportation costs.
- Study materials and textbooks.
- In some cases, registration fees and tuition fees.
Besides financial aid, participation in the program includes regular meetings for scholarship holders, training for leadership skills, and involvement in community activities. The scholarship is awarded for one year with the possibility of annual renewal (up to four years) if you maintain good academic performance and actively participate in program events.
How to apply: step-by-step guide
The application process is entirely online and in English. It is important to prepare in advance, as it requires gathering documents and writing a motivation letter.
1️⃣ Prepare documents. You will need a scanned copy of your status document in Slovakia, your high school diploma with its appendix, proof of university admission, and other documents that confirm you meet the criteria.
2️⃣ Register on the platform. All applications are submitted through the global DAFI online portal. You will need to create a personal account.
3️⃣ Fill out the application form and upload documents. Carefully fill in all fields of the form in English. Pay special attention to the motivation essay, where you should describe your academic goals and your desire to help the community.
4️⃣ Meet the deadline. The final deadline for applications for the 2026/2027 academic year is August 31, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
After the initial selection, the best candidates will be invited for an interview. Detailed information about the criteria and selection process can be found on the UNHCR Slovakia help page.
