Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026-2027

Applications are now open for the Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026-2027, offering international students the opportunity to pursue PhD studies at prestigious Hungarian universities. This fully-funded scholarship programme covers tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, accommodation support, and health insurance for doctoral students from over 100 countries across five continents.

The programme is available for both full-degree doctoral studies (8 semesters) and partial exchange studies (1-2 semesters) across approximately 170 doctoral programmes, primarily taught in English. The application deadline is January 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central European Time. Students from eligible sending partner countries can apply through their national authorities at no application fee.

The scholarship particularly encourages applications in STEM+ fields including natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, agricultural sciences, and health sciences.

Click here to check Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026/2027 for BS and MS studies. You can check out more BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Scholarship Coverage: Fully funded
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2026, 2:00 PM CET
• Study Level: Doctoral (PhD) programmes only
• Duration: 8 semesters (4 years) for full-degree; 1-2 semesters for exchange
• Available Programmes: Approximately 170 doctoral programmes
• Participating Universities: 23 Hungarian higher education institutions
• Application Fee: No fee required
• Eligible Countries: 100+ countries (see eligible countries list below)
• Monthly Stipend: Phase 1 (first 4 semesters): HUF 140,000 (~EUR 355); Phase 2 (last 4 semesters): HUF 180,000 (~EUR 460)
• Accommodation: Free dormitory or HUF 40,000/month (~EUR 100) contribution
• Health Insurance: Included
• Priority Fields: STEM+ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Agriculture, Health)

Scholarship Benefits

• Tuition Fee: Complete exemption from tuition fees
• Monthly Stipend:
  • First Phase (4 semesters): HUF 140,000 (~EUR 355/month)
  • Second Phase (4 semesters): HUF 180,000 (~EUR 460/month)
  • Paid for 12 months per year
• Accommodation:
  • Free dormitory place (subject to availability), OR
  • HUF 40,000/month (~EUR 100) contribution toward rent
  • Note: In larger cities, especially Budapest, this contribution may not cover full rental costs
• Health Coverage
  • Medical insurance according to Hungarian legislation
  • Supplementary medical insurance up to HUF 65,000 (~EUR 165) per year

Important: These provisions are contributions to living expenses. Students should budget additional personal funds to cover all living costs in Hungary.

Understanding Doctoral Programmes in Hungary

Doctoral programmes in Hungary last 8 semesters (4 years) and are divided into two phases:

Phase 1 (Semesters 1-4): Professional Training & Research

• Focus on coursework and initial research
• Monthly stipend: HUF 140,000 (~EUR 355)

Phase 2 (Semesters 5-8): Research & Dissertation

• Focus on research and writing dissertation
• Monthly stipend: HUF 180,000 (~EUR 460)
• Entry requires successful completion of complex exam at end of Phase 1

Study Modes

Full-Degree Programme

• Leads to a doctoral degree
• 8 semesters duration

Partial (Exchange) Programme

• 1-2 semester exchange studies
• Must be completed by June 30
• Cannot be extended
• Requires student status at a home institution outside Hungary (in most cases)

Check also: Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 (Round 21) – Fully Funded

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Countries

The programme accepts applications from over 100 countries and territories including (but not limited to):

• Asia: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, and more
• Africa: Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Algeria, and more
• Middle East: Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and more
• Americas: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and more
• Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine, and more

View the complete list of eligible countries here

Who CANNOT Apply

You are NOT eligible if you:

• Are a Hungarian citizen or dual citizen
• Hold refugee status or long-term residence in Hungary
• Have citizenship different from your sending country
• Previously received Stipendium Hungaricum for doctoral studies
• Are currently a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder
• Were awarded the scholarship in 2023/24, 2024/25, or 2025/26 but did not start studies without notifying authorities

Check also: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026/27 (Fully Funded)

Application Requirements

Required Documents

1. Online Application Form

• Complete in English
• Recent photo (within 2 years)
• Clear indication of study duration and start date for exchange students

2. Motivation Letter

• Minimum 1 page
• Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Written in the programme’s language or Hungarian

3. Language Proficiency Proof

• Certificate showing required language level
• Translation if not in the programme’s language
• Host institution determines minimum level required

4. Academic Certificates

• Master’s degree certificate (or equivalent)
• Translations if not in English or programme language
• For exchange students: proof of current student status

Also Check: SFI Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) Program 2026

5. Research Plan

• Minimum 2 pages
• Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Written in the programme’s language
• Must cite all resources used
• Will be checked for plagiarism

6. Letter of Recommendation

• From former or current academic supervisor
• Must be signed
• Supervisor must hold a scientific degree
• Written in the programme’s language or Hungarian

7. Statement of Supervisor (if required by doctoral school)

• Confirmation from Hungarian supervisor
• States willingness to supervise your doctoral work
• Deadline: March 15, 2026
• Declaration required by January 15, 2026 if supervisor statement pending

8. Transcript of Records

• All academic semesters from highest education level
• Translation if not in programme language

9. Identification Document

• Passport data page (preferred), OR
• National ID card with photo and personal data

10. Medical Certificate (for scholarship recipients only)

• Required only AFTER receiving scholarship
• Must be issued between November 1, 2025 and arrival in Hungary
• To be presented during medical examination in Hungary
• Template provided after scholarship award

Language Requirements

For English-Taught Programmes

• Minimum proficiency level set by host institution
• Check specific requirements in the application system

Check this: NL Scholarships for BS and MS 2026-2027: Study in the Netherlands

For Hungarian-Taught Programmes

Option 1: Already speak Hungarian

• Minimum B2 level required
• Provide language certificate

Option 2: Learn Hungarian first

• Take mandatory 1-year Hungarian language preparatory course
• Then proceed to degree programme

Application Process

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact Your Sending Partner

• Find your country’s responsible authority
• Learn about their specific requirements and deadlines
• Submit application to them as required

Step 2: Submit Online Application

• Register at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu
• Upload all required documents (max 4 MB per file)
• Click “Submit” (saved applications won’t be considered)

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Step 3: Wait for Nomination

• Your sending partner reviews applications
• Nominates selected candidates to Tempus Public Foundation
• Only nominated applicants proceed to next stage

Step 4: Entrance Examination

• Host universities evaluate nominated applications
• Conduct entrance exams (dates vary by institution)
• Universities notify you directly about exam details
• Minimum passing score: 56 out of 100 points

Step 5: Final Selection

• Tempus Public Foundation allocates scholarships based on:
  • Bilateral agreement quotas
  • University capacity
  • Your programme preferences
  • Examination results
  • Sending partner rankings

Selection Priorities

STEM+ Fields Prioritized:

• Natural sciences
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Agricultural sciences
• Health sciences

Available Universities and Programmes

• 23 Hungarian universities participate in the programme
• Approximately 170 doctoral programmes available
• Most programmes taught in English
• Some programmes available in Hungarian

View all programmes: apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu