Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship 2026/27

The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme (hereinafter: Scholarship Programme) was established by the Hungarian Government for those who live in a Hungarian diaspora – mainly outside of Europe – and wish to study at a Hungarian higher education institution to develop their personal, professional and cultural relations to Hungary. The Scholarship Programme aims to support the professional advancement of the Scholarship Holders with high-quality Hungarian higher education while improving their Hungarian language skills and strengthening their Hungarian identity. The Scholarship Programme aims to strengthen the ties between Hungarian diaspora communities and Hungary by supporting those who wish to rediscover and reconnect to their Hungarian heritage and want to become professionals on a field that can contribute to the prosperity of their diaspora community as well. The geographical scope of the Scholarship Programme covers every country in the world, except the member states of the European Union, the Republic of Serbia, and the Zakarpatska Oblast region of Ukraine.

• Table of Content
• About Government of Hungary
• Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship

• Tuition-free education
• Medical insurance
• Monthly stipend (upon request)
• Accommodation contribution (upon request)
• Travel contribution: one-off travel allowance (upon request)
• Travel contribution: Hungary Pass

Requirements for Government of Hungary Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification

Applicants are required to be citizens of one of the countries or regions involved in the Scholarship Programme. The Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme covers all countries and regions of the world EXCEPT

• the member states of the European Union
• the Republic of Serbia, and
• the Zakarpatska Oblast region of Ukrain

A valid application may be submitted if the applicant meets the following criteria:

• Applicant has Hungarian roots and maintains a Hungarian identity, and convincingly demonstrates this in a Diaspora Motivation Letter and declares it in the Statement for Application (Annex 2) that is a part of the application,
• Applicant is a citizen of one of the eligible countries (see Section 2.1),
• Applicant has made a statement that he/she has an address outside of Hungary, » Applicant holds a recommendation from a Hungarian diaspora organisation3 or a Hungarian Diplomatic Representation, or an Honorary Consul accredited by Hungary, of the respective country (=Diaspora Recommendation Letter),
• Applicant has made a statement that he/she has lived outside the territory of Hungary for at least 5 years before the submission of their application.
  • The final date of this 5-year period cannot be earlier than 1 year before the date of submitting the application, or, in the case of those involved in fee-paying study programmes in Hungarian higher education, the final date of this 5-year period is not earlier than 1 year before commencing the self-financed studies.
  • The 5-year period does not have to be consecutive years.
• Applicant obtained his/her secondary school leaving certificate (e.g. high school diploma) in a foreign country. The certificate must prove that the applicant finished secondary education abroad, not in Hungary.
• Applicant was born on or before 31 August 2008.
  • Exemptions are
    • those who were born between 1 September 2008 and 31 December 2008, and the declaration of their legal representative is submitted as part of their application.
    • those who apply for Dance study programmes and were born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2010, and the declaration of their legal representative is submitted as part of their application.
  • Please note that there is no upper age limit to apply for the Scholarship Programme.
• Applicant undertakes to sign a scholarship agreement.
• In case of study programmes conducted in a foreign (non-Hungarian) language, the applicant undertakes to attend a Hungarian as a foreign language and culture course during the entire period of the scholarship agreement.
• Applicant undertakes to pass a complex (written and oral) Hungarian as a foreign language state-recognised language exam or a Hungarian Language Assessment Test (of MFA Balassi) by the end of the scholarship studies, no later than within 1 year after obtaining the degree (or certificate in case of postgraduate specialist training courses). The required level of proficiency depends on the length of the scholarship period. See further details in Section 2.6.3.
  • The obligation to pass a Hungarian as a foreign language exam does not apply to students taking part in 1 or 2 semester-long, short study programmes, including partial/exchange studies.
  • In the case of study programmes conducted in a non-Hungarian language, prior knowledge of the Hungarian language is not required at the time of application.
• The applicant agrees to support a local Hungarian diaspora in a particular country with community work for a 2-year long period after obtaining their degree.
  • This obligation only applies to those Scholarship Holders who are awarded for a fulltime study programme leading to a degree. It means that the obligation does not apply to those studying in a partial/exchange study mode, or non-degree study programmes (Hungarian preparatory and postgraduate specialist training course).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit Hungarian in Diaspora webpage.