The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (KKM) is announcing the Márton Áron Scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year as part of the Balassi Bálint Scholarship Program. This opportunity is designed for young people of Hungarian descent living in the diaspora, aiming to deepen their knowledge of the Hungarian language and culture while allowing them to become more familiar with Hungary’s rich traditions and heritage.
The program is implemented in cooperation with the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy Ltd. and takes place in Budapest for ten months, from September 2025 to June 2026. During this period, participants will engage in an intensive educational experience, where they will study subjects such as history, literature, geography, ethnography, art history, and social studies. At the end of the program, students are required to submit a final thesis on a chosen topic, and those who successfully complete the course will receive an official certificate.
As part of the scholarship, the KKM provides comprehensive support to participants, including free education, a monthly stipend of 45,000 HUF, free accommodation, a student ID granting various discounts, and access to healthcare services. The program has a planned capacity of 25 students.
Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the scholarship. They should be between 18 and 35 years old, hold foreign (non-Hungarian) citizenship, and either be pursuing or planning to pursue higher education. A crucial requirement is that candidates must be of Hungarian descent. While these are the main eligibility conditions, preference is given to those who are actively engaged in Hungarian community activities, such as scouting, Hungarian schools, or folk dancing, as well as those who can provide a university recommendation.
Applications must be submitted online through the https://spjelentkezes.mdakft.hu platform no later than April 30, 2025. To apply, candidates need to submit several required documents, including a signed declaration, a CV, an essay explaining the purpose of their studies in Hungary and how they intend to utilize their acquired knowledge, a copy of their foreign passport, and academic transcripts or certificates. Additionally, a recommendation letter can be included but is not mandatory.
For further details about the program and application process, interested candidates can visit the official website: https://balassieducation.hu/hu/osztondijpalyazatok/magyar-nyelv-es-magyarsagismeret-osztondijpalyazat-2025-2026/.