How to Apply for Stipendium Hungaricum 2027

The 8 Steps, in Order

Dates below follow the 2026/27 call (deadline 15 January 2026, 14:00 CET). The 2027/28 call is expected to follow the same rhythm, but its official dates are not yet published — confirm on stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply.

Step 1: Research programmes (Nov–Dec)

Browse the Stipendium Hungaricum programme catalogue. You can choose a maximum of 2 programmes, ranked in order of preference. This is a strict limit — and you cannot change your choices or their order after the application deadline.

• Use the official programme catalogue at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu.
• Filter by degree level, study field and language of instruction.
• Check that the field is open to your country, plus university rankings and city locations.
• Read the university placement guide for strategic choices.

Step 2: Contact your sending partner (Dec–Jan)

Find and contact your country's sending partner (usually the Ministry of Education or a national scholarship agency). They may have additional requirements beyond what Tempus asks for.

• Your sending partner's deadline may be EARLIER than the official Tempus cutoff.
• They may require documents that the online system doesn't ask for.
• Some sending partners conduct their own interviews.
• See the sending partners page for how to find yours.

Step 3: Prepare documents (Dec–Jan)

Gather all required documents. Anything not in English, Hungarian or your programme's language needs an official translation, and some sending partners also want documents notarised or apostilled. This takes time — start early. The core set:

• Online application form, with a recent photo.
• Motivation letter (at least one page; stay within the limits the portal shows).
• Academic transcripts with certified translation.
• Degree or school certificate (or a declaration if you'll graduate later).
• Language proficiency certificate.
• Passport data page (or national ID card if you don't have a passport yet).
• Full list: Documents page.

Step 4: Create your account and submit (Jan)

Register on the online application system (DreamApply) at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu when the official 2027/28 call opens — expected around November 2026. Recent cycles closed in mid-January (last official close: 15 January 2026, 14:00 CET).

• The portal gets extremely slow near the deadline — don't wait until the last day.
• Upload documents as PDFs; each file can be at most 4 MB.
• Save your application frequently — session timeouts are common.
• You can edit your application until the deadline, but NOT after.
• Take screenshots of your submitted application for your records.

Step 5: Submit to your sending partner (Jan–Feb)

Separately submit your application to your country's sending partner. This is the most commonly missed step. Applying only online is NOT enough.

• Your sending partner reviews applications and creates a nomination list.
• Only nominated applicants proceed to university review.
• If your name isn't on the nomination list, your online application is ignored.
• Sending partner deadlines are often BEFORE the official Tempus cutoff.

Step 6: Sending partner nomination (Feb)

Your sending partner reviews all applications from your country and sends a nomination list (including a reserve list) to Tempus Public Foundation by the end of February.

• Your sending partner has a quota of nominees.
• Not all applicants get nominated — this is the first filter.
• You usually won't be told if you weren't nominated.
• The list includes a reserve list, so being a reserve is not the end.

Step 7: University review and entrance exam (mid-Mar–May)

Hungarian universities contact nominated applicants directly and hold entrance exams or interviews, mostly online, from mid-March to the end of May. Doctoral applicants whose school requires it must also upload the supervisor's statement by 15 March. After the exams there's a long wait with no status updates.

• There's no way to check your application status.
• Tempus rarely responds to status inquiries.
• If you're invited for an interview, it's a positive sign.
• Formats differ by university — some test in writing, some only interview.
• See the interview guide for preparation tips.

Step 8: Results and next steps (end Jun–Jul)

Tempus sends one results email (and updates the online system) around the end of June; depending on allocation it can arrive any time in June or July. If awarded, you'll have several urgent tasks to complete before the September semester start.

• Accept the scholarship in the online system within the time given (usually one week, and by 1 August at the latest in the last cycle).
• Get the mandatory medical certificate (official template) signed by a physician — you bring it to Hungary for the medical examination; you don't upload it.
• Apply for your visa/residence permit immediately.
• Arrange accommodation (dormitory or private).
• Full checklist: After Selection page.

Dual Submission at a Glance

Both are required. The two paths merge in the nomination list sent to Tempus: only nominated applicants who also applied online proceed to university review, with results in late June or July.

Document Checklist

Track your application preparation progress. Tick items off as you go.

Common Submission Mistakes

Applying only online, not through the sending partner

This is the #1 reason for automatic rejection. Many applicants don't realise they need to submit to their country's sending partner separately. The online application alone is incomplete without the sending partner nomination.

Uploading documents in the wrong format or over the size limit

The system accepts files of at most 4 MB. Scanned documents should be clear and readable. Blurry scans or images that are too dark have caused rejection in previous years. Use a proper scanner, not your phone camera.

Ignoring the motivation letter length limits

The text box shows a minimum and maximum character count (characters, not words), and you must stay within it. Write in a plain text editor first, check the character count, then paste it in. See our motivation letter guide for tips.

Missing document translations or apostilles

Documents not in English, Hungarian or the language of your programme must be officially translated. Some countries also require apostille stamps. Getting these takes 1–3 weeks, so start the process early in December.

Submitting on the last day when the portal crashes

Every year the system slows down badly in the last days before the January deadline as thousands try to submit simultaneously, and applicants have reported outages. Submit at least 2–3 days before the deadline. Extensions are extremely rare and never guaranteed.

Continue with the full document list, motivation letter tips and finding your sending partner.