HIIA Future Leaders Program 2026 in Hungary (Fully Funded)

 

Apply Link:https://hiia.hu/en/call-for-applications-future-leaders-program-2026-spring-edition/?utm

 

HIIA Future Leaders Program 2026 — Complete Scholarship Guide
1. 📌 What Is the HIIA Future Leaders Program?

The HIIA Future Leaders Program functions as a three-month professional fellowship which the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) awards to candidates who fulfill its requirements. The program provides young professionals and recent graduates with a complete experience of foreign policy research which includes both analysis work and real policy implementation in Budapest Hungary.

The organization operates a professional development program which functions as a short-term fellowship that enables participants to conduct authentic policy research while working with institutional research teams.

Hungary
📍 Location: Budapest
📆 Program Dates: 1 April – 30 June 2026
⏱ Duration: 3 months (full-time, approx. 30 h/week)
📚 Language: English
💼 Format: In-person fellowship (no online option)
🌍 Nationality: Open to all countries
🎯 Focus Areas: Foreign policy, diplomacy, leadership, research, international affairs
💸 Funding: Yes — travel and accommodation support (fully funded features)

 

🧠 Who Can Apply? — Eligibility Criteria

 

🎓 Educational Requirements

The applicants must possess a Bachelor degree which they completed at an accredited university.

The following fields of study have been designated as preferredDegree fields:

International Relations

Political Science

History                           

Diplomacy

Philosophy

Related social sciences or international studies

The organization will evaluate degrees from other fields according to their particular situation.

👨‍💼 Professional / Career Background

The candidate must show a strong commitment to foreign policy and diplomacy and research and global affairs.

🎂 Age Limit

The program requires applicants to turn 30 before the program begins.

🌐 Language Requirement

 

The scholarship program offers students two types of benefits which provide financial assistance together with professional development opportunities.

Participants work under fixed contracts which last three months. The payment system requires participants to achieve specific objectives which include:

Participants must take part in educational sessions and professional development workshops.

 

Researchers must produce research reports.

Researchers must finish their individual investigation work.

International fellows who do not hold Hungarian residence permits will receive round-trip airfare to Budapest.

Fellows receive a fixed monthly financial support toward accommodation costs during their stay in Budapest.

The program provides participants with international policy experts who offer guidance through extended mentorship.

Participants gain practical experience by participating in actual research projects and strategic tasks.

The program offers three seminars which cover leadership development public speaking skills and media training.

The program enables participants to establish professional connections with Hungarian and international specialists.

The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs provides support for obtaining Hungarian visas.

All program participants must obtain their visas by their program start date.

 

🗓 Key Dates & Timeline (2026 Edition)

 

 

📋 Application Requirements

To successfully apply, prepare and submit all of the following documents through the official online application link:

📑 Required Documents                           

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Maximum 2 pages completed in English.

The document should include details about your educational background work experience through internships research work skills development and all awards you have achieved.

Cover Letter

Maximum 1 page in English.

The document should explain three things

The program attracts you because of your particular field of study.

Your specific area of interest

Your career objectives match with your current research field.

Writing Sample

The writing sample should contain between 3000 and 5000 total characters which includes all spaces.

The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to analyze information and present clear concepts through the study of international affairs or foreign policy.

Proof of English Language Examination

The test results need to show a minimum C1 proficiency level through either IELTS or TOEFL or other comparable assessments.

The organization accepts all advanced English language certification programs as valid proof.

📝 Important Notes

All documents must be in English.

Program Structure & What You’ll Do

The HIIA Future Leaders Program provides a professional development path which allows participants to gain real work experience.

💡 Research & Mentorship

The research project requires you to work with senior analysts and experts who will direct your activities.

The research themes include:

Western Balkans

Eastern Europe

Transatlantic Relations

Middle East

Turkic States

Security Policy and additional topics.

🎤 Skill Development Workshops

The workshops and training sessions provide instruction on:

Leadership skills

Public speaking

Media engagement

Policy writing and presentation skills.

🧑‍💼 Integration Into HIIA Teams

The fellows will work with research groups while they also have the chance to take part in various organizational activities which include projects and events and discussions.

The organization provides opportunities for researchers to publish their findings and present their research work.

 

💼 Career Benefits

The HIIA Future Leaders Program provides participants with professional advantages that will help them advance their careers.

🔹 Professional Network

The program enables participants to establish connections with diplomats, policymakers, and global foreign policy experts, as well as academic thinkers.

🔹 Enhanced CV

Research and policy analysis experience obtained from a European foreign affairs institute establishment provides diplomats and think tank researchers and international organization staff and government personnel and academic researchers with essential career advantages.

🔹 Practical Skills

The program teaches students to write policy briefs and conduct research and lead projects and present analyses which result in skills that recruiters value throughout the world.

📊 Selection Process

The selection process includes multiple stages:

Document Review:               
HIIA conducts eligibility and completeness checks for all submitted applications.

Shortlisting:
The evaluation uses CV and cover letter and writing sample to determine shortlisting candidates.

Final Selection:

🎯 Final Tips for a Strong Application

✔ Your cover letter should demonstrate how your research aligns with the mission of HIIA and its foreign policy studies.
✔ Create an analytical writing sample which demonstrates your ability to answer a foreign policy question.
✔ Showcase your research and internship experience together with your relevant academic courses.
✔ Begin your work early because you need to organize English proofing and CV and writing sample revisions before the submission date.