Balassi Summer University 2026
Call for scholarship application of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary for the Balassi Summer University 2026
Note: This document has been prepared in English as complementary material to the official Hungarian language call-for-application. In case of doubt, please refer to the original version and/or contact us.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary (hereunder (MFA) based on the 606/2023. (IX.6.) Government Decree and the 11/2022. (IX. 6) MFA Order on the Organizational and Operational Regulations of the MFA, within the Balassi Scholarship Programme with Márton Áron Scholarship invites applications for the
BALASSI SUMMER UNIVERSITY 2026
1. THE GOAL OF THE APPLICATION
The objective of the scholarship is to improve, broaden and strengthen the Hungarian language skills and knowledge related to Hungary of the participants in the programme.
2. THE OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION
Besides the intensive learning of the Hungarian language, the Balassi Summer University offers lectures on Hungarian literature, history, geography, ethnography, history of film and cultural history. The students attend 80 Hungarian language classes, and they also participate in 40 classes/fieldwork/programmes of Hungarology. During the extracurricular programmes (excursion, museum visits, etc.) they can experience the Hungarian culture.
The four-week long course takes place in Budapest with the cooperation of an institution providing adult education, the KKM Magyar Diplomáciai Akadémia Kft. (hereunder KKM MDA Kft.). At the end of the Hungarian language course, participants will take a written exam. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an adult education certification.
3. THE LENGTH AND THE CONTENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
The duration of the programme is 4 weeks (13 July 2026 – 7 August 2026).
The scholarship includes:
- full tuition fee
- course material
- accommodation
- three meals a day
- a 30-day pass for public transport
- travel insurance (HUF 400/person/day) for the scholarship period
- attending the extracurricular programmes
- attending the excursion
Maximum number of scholarships to be awarded: 60
4. CONDITIONS OF THE APPLICATION
Individuals entitled to submit their applications for participation in the Balassi Summer University are:
- of Hungarian origin, who have reached the age of 18 by the start of the training, and have the citizenship of a European Union member state not covered by Act LXII of 2001 on Hungarians living in Neighboring Countries (Preference Act)[1]
- of non-Hungarian descent, citizens of other countries, who have reached the age of 18 at the start of the training.
Volunteer work and any other activities related to the Hungarian culture are taken into consideration in the selection of the applicants.
For scholarship-holders class attendance is compulsory. Should a participant miss classes without any cause, or violate the Scholarship Agreement/ Adult Education Contract and/or Rules of House of the accommodation, he/she will lose immediately the right to continue the programme and the right to accommodation.
5. DEADLINE OF APPLICATIONS
Deadline of applications: 3 March 2026, 12.00 (UTC+1)
6. INFORMATION ON THE SUBMISSION AND EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATION
Steps of application:
1. Application website
Applications are to be submitted via the application website https://spjelentkezes.mdakft.hu
Please visit the site, prepare and submit your application according to the information provided there.
2. Required documents
Required documentation and references for the application:
- signed statement of the applicant (format: .pdf; .jpg) [mandatory document]
- CV (format: .pdf) [mandatory document]
- an approx. 200-word self-written essay (submitting an AI-generated essay will result in disqualification) on why you would like to study in Hungary and how can utilize acquired knowledge in your home country (format: .pdf) [mandatory document]
- copy of (non-Hungarian) passport or other travel document (format: .pdf ; .jpg) [mandatory document]
- in the case of applicants of non-Hungarian origin reference letter with signature and contact information from a social organization (eg., school, foundation, church, scouts etc.); foreign representation of Hungary; visiting language instructor; visiting professor; recognized individual; [mandatory document]
- in the case of applicants of Hungarian origin reference letter with signature and contact information from foreign representation of Hungary; Hungarian organization; recognized individual of the Hungarian community; visiting language instructor; visiting professor or in the absence of above, a document proving Hungarian origin (format: .pdf) [mandatory document].
Evaluation of the Application
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (responsible for operating the scholarship) makes decisions on the applications based on the proposal of the Evaluation Committee set up by MFA.
MFA will not consider applications submitted after the deadline and/or incorrectly and/or incompletely and/or illegibly. Applicants have 7 calendar days after the application deadline to replace missing documents.
There is no right of appeal against the decision, nonetheless, the applicant may submit an objection to the state leader responsible for the MFA Balassi Programmes, if in the applicant’s opinion the application procedure, the acceptance of the application or the application decision violates the law. The applicant must submit the objection within 10 workdays of becoming aware of the contested measure or default, but no later than 30 workdays from the date of the contested measure or default.
Publication of the results
Applications will be evaluated by 17 April 2026 and applicants will be notified about the results within 3 workdays afterwards via e-mail by MFA.
Successful applicants must confirm the acceptance of the scholarship via e-mail by 29 April 2026.
The scholarship does not cover the following expenses:
- travel to and from Hungary
- the fee of visa, if necessary
- additional fee of travel insurance (at the scholarship recipient’s own discretion, for the training period)
- spending money, cost of personal expenses
7. CONDITIONS OF WINNING AND OBTAINING THE SCHOLARSHIP
- Signing Scholarship Agreement and Adult Education Agreement with the KKM MDA Kft.
- Any applicant providing unreal, false information on the datasheet, and/or making such a statement when applying, and/or withholding any fact or data concerning the assessment of the application may be excluded from the application procedure.
- By submitting their application, applicants consent to the processing of their data on the application form by the MFA, by KKM MDA Kft. and by the decision-shaping bodies and decision-makers defined above for 3 years after the announcement of the results of the application. The data processing information regarding the scholarship program is available at: https://balassieducation.hu/hu/osztondijpalyazatok/
- The list of scholarship winners is public. By participating in the application, the applicant agrees that his/her name and citizenship will be published on the website of the scholarship programme if s/he is awarded a scholarship by the MFA.
- Scholarship winners will be continuously informed about the tasks required to start the training and move into the accommodation and about the conditions according to the Hungarian legislation and/or the regulations of the scholarship programme. The applicant acknowledges that the conditions of starting the training and moving to the accommodation will be determined by MFA and KKM MDA Kft. no later than four weeks before the start of the programme and will be communicated by e-mail to the successful applicants.
- The applicant acknowledges that, because of the epidemiological or other emergency situation, or with regard to changes in the legislation regarding the training and their participants, or in the case of amendments to the legislation on entry and residence in Hungary, the MFA may postpone the pre-planned start date of the Balassi Summer University (13 July 2026). In a serious situation the MFA may refuse to start the programme, may decide to suspend the programme and continue it after the suspension has been lifted, and may decide to apply a training period shorter than it is determined in this call for application. The applicant acknowledges that no claim can be submitted to KKM MDA Kft. in the case of circumstances beyond its control and unforeseen at the time of the announcement, or in the case of change in the legal environment. The applicant acknowledges that the implementation of extracurricular programmes depends on the evolution of epidemical or other emergency situation and related rules. The applicant undertakes that in the event of the occurrence of any of the above circumstances s/he does not file a claim for damages against the MFA or KKM MDA Kft. regarding this circumstance.
8. FINANCIAL SOURCE OF THE PROGRAMME
Central Budget of Hungary for 2026, chapter of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Amount: HUF 97.301.200
9. CONTACT
For further information, please contact:
Ms Flóra DÓCZI or Ms Ágnes BARKA
E-mail: sumuni@mdakft.hu
Phone: +36 70 684 5209
Address: H-1107 Budapest, Zágrábi Str. 1-3., Bihari Irodaház, 1st floor, office 102.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Application
Deadline: 2026. 03. 03. 12:00
Appendix
Call for Applications – Balassi Summer University 2026
Statement – Balassi Summer University 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
All questions are available here:
Balassi Summer University FAQ
