Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Hungary) 2026/2027: Complete Guide, Benefits, Eligibility, Deadline, and Application Steps
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme (2026/2027)
A) Quick Fit Summary
Who this is for: International applicants who are nationals of an eligible Stipendium Hungaricum partner country/territory (called a “Sending Partner”) and want tuition free study in Hungary starting around September 2026 at Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s, non-degree preparatory, postgraduate specialist training, or PhD level. Applications are nationality-based, and you must also follow your Sending Partner’s separate nomination process and deadlines.
Time window covered: The active 2026/2027 call with the main online deadline January 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central European Time. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
B) Top Opportunities
1) Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme (Main programme)
Title: Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme (2026/2027)
Type: Scholarship (degree + partial exchange + preparatory and specialist training options)
Host or Sponsor: Government of Hungary, supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; coordinated/managed by Tempus Public Foundation (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Location: Hungary (varies by host university and city)
Funding level: Fully funded (core costs) but stipend is a contribution, not full living cost coverage (Stipendium Hungaricum)
What it covers (official): (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Tuition-free education (tuition fee waiver)
Monthly stipend
Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s, non-degree: HUF 43,700/month (about $132.60 on January 5, 2026) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Doctoral: HUF 140,000/month first phase (about $424.81 on January 5, 2026), then HUF 180,000/month second phase (about $546.18 on January 5, 2026)
Accommodation contribution: dorm place (capacity-based) or HUF 40,000/month (about $121.37 on January 5, 2026) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Medical insurance: Hungarian health services plus supplementary insurance up to HUF 65,000/year (about $197.23 on January 5, 2026) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Student ID (listed in the official call announcement summary) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
What it usually does NOT cover (plan your budget): International flights, visa fees, deposits, and full rent in big cities (the accommodation contribution may not cover full rent, especially in Budapest). The programme itself explicitly warns the provisions are only a contribution to living expenses. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Duration (typical):
Bachelor’s: usually 2 to 4 years (programme-dependent)
Master’s: usually 1 to 2 years (programme-dependent)
One-tier Master’s: programme-dependent (often 5 to 6 years for certain fields)
Doctoral: 8 semesters (two phases, with a complex exam at the end of phase 1)
Partial (exchange): 1 or 2 semesters, must finish by June 30 and cannot be extended (noted in doctoral call; similar logic applies across exchange mode rules)
Start or cohort dates: Studies start around September 2026 (explicitly stated in the call announcement) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Target audience (one line): High-achieving students from eligible Sending Partners who want an internationally recognized degree in Hungary.
Eligibility checklist (high-level, always confirm country rules):
You are a national of an eligible Sending Partner and apply under the correct country/framework.
You will be nominated by your Sending Partner (applications are only considered if nominated).
You meet the host university entry requirements (degree prerequisites, portfolio, exams, language level, etc.).
You are not in a non-eligible status (including Hungarian citizens, including dual citizens, and several protected statuses or long-term residence statuses specified in the call).
Age: the guide states applicants should reach 18 by August 31, 2026 (with noted exceptions). Some Sending Partners may add their own age criteria.
Required documents (core set, based on official call):
For Bachelor’s/Master’s/one-tier/non-degree:
Online application form + photo
Motivation letter (minimum 1 page, formatting rules specified)
Proof of language proficiency (or proof prior education was in the programme language, where accepted)
School/degree certificate(s) + translations if required
Transcript of records + translations if required
Passport data page or national ID (if no passport yet)
Acceptance of the Statement for Application inside the system
Medical certificate: mandatory only if awarded; bring to Hungary for the compulsory medical exam (template provided)
Additional for PhD:
Research plan (minimum 2 pages; plagiarism checked)
Recommendation letter from an academic tutor/supervisor (with scientific degree)
Supervisor statement if required by the doctoral school (with a defined late-upload pathway)
Deadline (online system): January 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central European Time (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Important: Your Sending Partner may have an earlier internal deadline. The official application guide tells applicants to contact the Sending Partner early for exact procedures and deadlines.
How to apply (the real workflow):
Check eligibility by country and study fields on the official Partners page, then choose programmes using Study Finder. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Apply in the online system (DreamApply portal). (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Submit to your Sending Partner as required (they run nomination).
If nominated, complete host institution evaluation (interview, exam, portfolio review, supervisor matching for PhD, etc.).
If selected, accept scholarship, prepare visa/residence steps, and arrive for enrolment.
Selection criteria (what actually drives decisions):
Sending Partner nomination decisions (country priorities, quotas, and their evaluation criteria)
Host university admission assessment (entry requirements, exams/interviews, portfolio, doctoral supervisor fit, research plan quality and originality)
Allocation considers preferences, exam results, institutional capacities, and bilateral agreements (explicitly described in the doctoral call timeline).
Tips to strengthen (high impact):
Do not use agents. The call states the application has no additional costs and strongly suggests not applying through agencies.
Align your motivation letter to: (1) programme fit, (2) your academic record, (3) impact back home, (4) why Hungary specifically.
Choose programmes that are clearly available to your country (fields and scholarship types are country-bound).
PhD applicants: contact doctoral schools early, match your research plan to available topics and potential supervisors, and treat originality seriously because plagiarism checks are mentioned.
Budget realistically: stipend + housing contribution may not cover full city costs, especially in the capital. Use the programme’s cost guidance resources. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Official link(s):
Main site and calls hub: (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Apply portal: (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Partners (Sending Partners and eligible study fields): (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Study Finder: (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Application Guide (PDF): (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Trust score: High (official programme site + official calls + official guide)
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Europe, Hungary, all fields, Bachelor, Master, PhD, fully funded, degree scholarship
Success probability: Low to Medium (high competition; one call states about 80,000 applications and 4,500 awards in 2025).
2) Students at Risk Subprogramme (under the Stipendium Hungaricum framework)
Title: Students at Risk Subprogramme (Ukraine-related pathway)
Type: Scholarship subprogramme
Host or Sponsor: Stipendium Hungaricum framework / Tempus Public Foundation coordination (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Location: Hungary
Funding level: Typically mirrors Stipendium Hungaricum support model (confirm current call details per year)
Target audience: Ukrainian citizens who want to start or continue studies in Hungary under the Students at Risk pathway. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Deadline: Not universally fixed on the overview page; follow the active cycle instructions on the official Students at Risk page. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
How to apply: Use the Students at Risk guidance on the official page and related call documents (where published). (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Official link(s): (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Trust score: High
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Ukraine, emergency pathway, degree study, Hungary
Success probability: Medium (varies by quotas and urgent context; confirm current call capacity)
3) Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship (alternative flagship for diaspora applicants)
Title: Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship (Hungary)
Type: Scholarship
Host or Sponsor: Government of Hungary (Diaspora-focused programme) (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Location: Hungary
Funding level: Typically fully funded (confirm exact benefits per current call year)
Highlights (from official overview): Includes a monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, medical insurance, and a one-time travel contribution HUF 330,000 (about $1,001.34 on January 5, 2026) as listed on the official Diaspora page. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Official link(s): (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Trust score: High
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Diaspora, Hungary, fully funded
Success probability: Medium (niche eligibility can improve odds if you truly fit)
4) Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) (Hungary Helps)
Title: Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP)
Type: Scholarship
Host or Sponsor: Hungary Helps framework; application portal + programme description on official sites (Hungary Helps)
Location: Hungary
Funding level: Scholarship (details vary by level and institution; confirm current call annexes)
Core eligibility signal: Requires a recommendation from the applicant’s local church (stated on official programme page). (Hungary Helps)
Official link(s): (apply.scyp.hu)
Trust score: High
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Hungary, faith-based eligibility, degree study
Success probability: Medium (eligibility is narrower; stronger odds if you meet criteria cleanly)
5) CEEPUS Mobility (regional option for shorter, exchange-style study in Hungary)
Title: CEEPUS Mobility Scholarships (networks and freemovers)
Type: Exchange mobility scholarship
Host or Sponsor: CEEPUS network and national CEEPUS offices (Hungary has a national office)
Location: Hungary (exchange mobility)
Why it matters: Useful if you want 1 semester or short mobility rather than a full degree, and if your home university participates. Official guidance shows fixed annual deadlines in the network round. (CEEPUS)
Official link(s): (CEEPUS)
Trust score: Medium to High (official national office materials, but rules vary by country and network)
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Central Europe, exchange, short-term
Success probability: Medium (depends on network slots)
6) Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) (global flagship, may include Hungary as a study location)
Title: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) Scholarships
Type: Fully funded joint Master’s scholarships (study across multiple countries; some programmes include Hungary)
Host or Sponsor: European Union Erasmus+ (Erasmus+)
Location: Multi-country (programme dependent)
Funding level: Fully funded scholarship package; EU page notes a monthly scholarship amount. (Erasmus+)
Official link(s): (Erasmus+)
Trust score: High
Last checked: January 5, 2026
Tags: Master’s, fully funded, Europe, mobility
Success probability: Low (highly competitive; programme-specific)
C) Step by step Application Plan (tailored to the January 15, 2026 deadline)
Because the main online deadline is within 14 days, here is a daily plan. Adjust earlier if your Sending Partner deadline is sooner. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Day 1 (January 5, 2026): Lock eligibility and routes
Confirm your Sending Partner and whether you must apply under a special framework (if applicable).
List the 2 to 3 study programmes you will target (and backup) using Study Finder. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Day 2: Build your document folder and translation plan
Create a single folder with: passport/ID, certificates, transcripts, language proof, CV, draft motivation letter.
Identify what needs translation (only if the document is not in the required language).
Day 3: Draft the motivation letter (and research plan if PhD)
Motivation letter: 1 page minimum, programme language.
PhD: start your 2+ page research plan with clear method and originality.
Day 4: Language proof and alternatives
Upload test results or obtain proof your prior studies were in the programme language (where accepted).
Day 5: Contact Sending Partner and host departments
Email or call the Sending Partner to confirm their internal deadline and nomination steps.
PhD: contact doctoral school coordinator about supervisor expectations.
Day 6: Recommendation letters
Secure referees and give them a one-page brief tied to selection criteria (template in Toolkit below).
PhD: ensure referee has a scientific degree and can comment on research readiness.
Day 7: Upload core documents and validate formats
Check file sizes (max 4MB per file in call documents).
Upload certificates, transcripts, ID, language proof.
Day 8: Submit a complete first version in the portal
Finish all mandatory fields and save the application.
Accept the Statement for Application inside the system.
Day 9: Quality review against the official checklist
Cross-check every required doc for your level (BA/MA vs PhD).
Remove inconsistencies (dates, programme names, mismatched transcript labels).
Day 10: Sending Partner submission
Submit the required package to your Sending Partner (format varies).
Day 11: Final polish
Tighten motivation letter to match programme outcomes and your evidence.
For PhD: check citations, feasibility, and ethical approvals if relevant (mention briefly).
Day 12: Final upload checks and screenshots
Re-open each uploaded file to verify readability and correct language.
Day 13: Submit
Click “submit” well before January 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CET to avoid last-minute portal congestion. (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Day 14: Prepare for next stage
Draft your interview answers and portfolio presentation (if your target programme typically interviews).
If nominated, plan your medical certificate timing (issued no earlier than the call’s stated window for the relevant cycle) and keep the template ready.
D) Application Toolkit
Universal checklist (use this as your master file list)
ID document (passport data page preferred, or national ID)
Certificates (secondary school and/or university degree) + translations if required
Transcripts + translations if required
Motivation letter (minimum 1 page)
Language proof (test or accepted alternative)
Recommendation letters (especially critical for PhD)
PhD only: research plan (minimum 2 pages) + supervisor statement if required
Medical certificate template for later stage (do not upload unless instructed; bring to Hungary if awarded)
Writing frameworks
Motivation letter (1 page structure):
Programme goal (2 to 3 lines)
Your academic preparation (evidence: grades, projects, awards)
Why this Hungarian programme and why now (specific courses, labs, faculty, facilities)
Impact plan (how you will apply skills back home, measurable outcomes)
Close with readiness (language, adaptation, professionalism)
PhD research plan (2+ pages structure):
Research problem and gap
Research questions and hypotheses
Methodology (data, design, tools, feasibility)
Expected contribution and impact
Fit with the doctoral school and potential supervisors
Short reference list
Micro-templates
Email to Sending Partner (copy/paste):
Subject: Stipendium Hungaricum 2026/2027 Nomination Process and Deadline (Your Name)
Body:
Hello [Office/Name],
I am a citizen of [Country] and plan to apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum 2026/2027 intake. Please confirm your nomination procedure, internal deadline, required documents, and any country-specific criteria (age limits, study fields, quotas).
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Email to recommender:
Subject: Recommendation Letter Request (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Body:
Hello Professor [Name],
I am applying for [Programme] under the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. Could you write a recommendation highlighting my academic performance, research/portfolio ability, and fit for the programme? Deadline I need it by: [Date]. I will share my CV, transcript, and a 6-bullet achievement list.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
50-word bio:
I am a [degree level] student/graduate in [field] from [country], focused on [theme]. My work includes [1–2 proof points]. I am applying to [programme] in Hungary to build [skills] and deliver [impact goal] in [home community/sector].
Common rejection reasons and fixes
Ineligible route: You applied for a field not available to your country. Fix: verify Partners page and programme availability first.
Weak alignment: Generic motivation letter. Fix: cite specific courses, labs, or research topics and link to your evidence.
Missing or unreadable documents: Fix: re-check file sizes and translations.
PhD mismatch: No clear supervisor fit or vague methods. Fix: contact doctoral school early; sharpen research plan.
Agency interference/scams: Fix: apply directly; the call discourages agencies.
Interview and entrance exam prep (typical)
Know your programme’s entry requirements and be ready to explain: your preparation, your goals, and why that institution.
PhD: be ready to defend feasibility, ethics, data access, and novelty (plagiarism checks are explicitly mentioned).
