Slovakia offers a dynamic and evolving research environment that supports both fundamental and applied research across academic, public, and private sectors. The country fosters innovation through strategic investments, growing international cooperation, and a strong emphasis on translating research into real-world solutions.

Examples of Slovak Innovation and Applied Research

Slovakia offers an increasing number of opportunities to carry out excellent research and convert your ideas into practical application or business initiatives. We are an attractive destination for foreign investors, with one of the highest shares of medium enterprises and high-tech exports in the European Union and among other perks, we are the number one producer of cars per capita in the world. Our strong ambition to become the hub of innovations is underlined by the examples of the successful Slovak companies like ARDACO, ESET, Anasoft (IT security sector), c2i (carbon-fibre components), GA Drilling (plasma drilling technology), MulitplexDX (personalised molecular diagnostics — including cancer and COVID 19), SanaClis (clinical trial services), Glycanostics (non-invasive cancer diagnostic tests), NG Aviation (airport digitisation), Sygic (navigation systems), MicrostepMIS (weather and environment monitoring and information systems). A strong focus on the automotive industry is also reflected in the development of hydrogen powered concept car (cooperation of Technical University of Košice with Matador group) and innovative electric battery solutions (InoBat).

Innovations leading to sustainable and ecological solutions could be found e.g. with Sensoneo (smart waste management) or Nitroterra (biofertilisers). Slovakia is also gaining visibility in the healthtech and medtech sectors, with innovative startups such as Powerful Medical (AI-powered cardiovascular diagnostics and clinical decision support), S-Case (portable telemedicine diagnostic devices for first responders), and Glycanostics (non-invasive cancer diagnostic tests based on glycan biomarkers). Even relatively young research centres have gained international recognition, such as KInIT in the field of AI. The country is also strengthening its position in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and deep-tech innovation through rapidly growing companies and research organisations.

Check the country profile of European Innovation Scoreboard 2026.

Legislative framework of research and development in Slovakia

The Slovak research environment can be characterised by describing its research-related legislation, by identifying Slovak research institutions where you could find a job or collaboration, and by identifying funding opportunities (on national, bilateral, multilateral level) for your research in Slovakia.

Research and development – its legal status

The basic legal framework governing research and development (R&D) is Act No. 172/2005 Coll. on the Organisation of State Support for Research and Development, as amended. The Act defines the role of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and other state administration bodies in the area of R&D. It prescribes the position and roles of the Slovak Research and Development Agency, conditions and forms of granting the state support, and the system of state R&D programmes.

R&D in Slovakia is carried out at universities, institutes of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, legal entities established by state administration central bodies (state department research institutions) and private research institutions.

Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic is the central body that is responsible for creating conditions for scientific and technological development, for cost‑effective utilisation of state budget and coordination of activities of other state administration bodies, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and higher education institutions, which are involved in the preparation and implementation of the S&T policy.

The R&D support is offered in the form of granting funds from the state budget as non‑repayable subsidies. It can be a purpose‑oriented form of support or an institutional form of support. The purpose‑oriented form enables the implementation of R&D projects and infrastructure development projects through the Slovak Research and Development Agency, and projects within state programmes. Funds under the institutional form of support are provided to public and state higher education institutions, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and state research institutions.

Public and state universities are educational, scientific and artistic institutions established by the Act No. 131/2002 on Higher Education Institutions. The Slovak Academy of Sciences is the country's largest public research institution. Since 2022, its institutes have operated as independent public research institutions under Act No. 243/2017 Coll. on Public Research Institutions, while the Slovak Academy of Sciences continues to coordinate their activities.