Call for scholarship application
Call for scholarship application of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
for the Hungarian Language and Cultural Studies Programme in the academic year of 2022 (cross semester)
Note: This document has been prepared in English as a complementary material to the official
Hungarian language call-for-application. In case of doubt, please refer to the original version and/or
contact us.
Based on the 241⁄2016. (VIII.16.) Government Regulation and the 4/2019. (III. 13.) Order of the Organizational
and Operational Rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFA) of Hungary, within the Balassi
Scholarship Programme the Ministry announces application in the academic year of 2022 for the
HUNGARIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAMME
for individuals of Hungarian descent living in the Diaspora outside the Carpathian Basin,
mainly in the southern hemisphere
who wish to strengthen their language knowledge and cultural identity.
- THE GOAL OF THE APPLICATION
The objective of the Hungarian Language and Cultural Studies scholarship is to improve, broaden and strengthen
the Hungarian language skills and cultural knowledge of young people of Hungarian descent, who are citizens and
residents of other countries (the so-called “Diaspora”). The two-semester course takes place in the MFA in
Budapest with the cooperation of the KKM Magyar Diplomáciai Akadémia Kft. (KKM MDA Kft., a background
institution of the MFA). In order to successfully achieve the goals of the scholarship program, the MFA cooperates
with the member organizations of the Hungarian Diaspora Council, especially with the organizations promoting
youth community building, such as the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris. - THE OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION
The programme consists of language and cultural studies and provides a great opportunity for participants to
actively explore Hungary and contemporary Hungarian culture. In the framework of cultural studies students learn
about history, literature, geography, folklore, art history, and social issues. At the end of the programme students
take a final exam in the above subjects, defend their final essay, and take a Hungarian language exam officially
recognized by the Hungarian state. (The level and type of the language exam is decided by the language skills
examination board.)
Participants of the programme will receive a certification at the end of their studies.
Class attendance is compulsory. Should a participant miss classes without cause, or violate the Study and Exam
rules or Disciplinary Guidelines, he/she will lose the right to continue the programme and the right to dormitory
placement. Any individual who has been expelled from the programme will have to repay all stipend (monthly
allowance) received up to that date. - THE LENGTH AND THE CONTENT OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
Duration of the programme is 9 months (February – June 2022, September – December 2022).
The scholarship includes:
· full tuition fee
· HUF 45,000/month allowance (to be paid monthly)
· free accommodation
· student card (offering discounts)
· basic health services
Maximum number of scholarships to be awarded: 15
- CONDITIONS OF THE APPLICATION
Individuals between the age of 18 and 35 years are invited to apply. All applicants should have foreign
citizenship, those with dual citizenship (Hungarian and other) are also encouraged to apply. Volunteer work,
references from post-secondary institutions, and any other activities related to Hungary or Hungarian culture are
all taken into consideration in the selection of the applicants. Scholarship application for the 2022 academic year
was mainly for the southern hemisphere countries applicants.
We inform our applicants that the training is currently taking place in a different location than before (1107
Budapest, Zágrábi utca 1.). Accommodation is provided. The location of accommodation is Hotel Berlin, 1117
Budapest, Hunyadi János út 2. - DEADLINE OF APPLICATIONS
Deadline of applications: 13 October 2021, 24.00 (UTC+1) - INFORMATION ON THE SUBMISSION AND EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATION
Steps of application:
The call for application is published in Hungarian at
https://balassischolarship.kormany.hu
in English at
https://balassischolarship.kormany.hu/call-for-application-hungarian-cultural-studies - Application website
Applications are to be submitted via the application website https://spjelentkezes.mdakft.hu
Please visit the site and prepare and submit your application according to the information provided there. - Required documents
Required documentation and references for the application:
– signed, printed statement (format: .pdf) [mandatory document]
– CV (format: Word document) [mandatory document]
– an approx. 300-word essay on why you would like to study in Hungary (format: Word document) [mandatory
document]
– copy of (non hungarian) passport or identity card for travel (format: .pdf) [mandatory document]
– copy of transcripts and diplomas with study results/marks (required format: .pdf) [mandatory document]
– reference letter from a volunteer organization (eg. scouts, school, foundation, church, etc.) or a recognized
individual (format: .pdf) [proposed document]
Evaluation of the Application
Decisions on the applications are made by the Evaluation Committee set up by MFA. All decisions are binding.
MFA will not consider applications submitted after deadline and/or incorrectly and/or incompletely and/or
illegibly.
Publication of the results
Applications will be evaluated by 30 October 2021 and applicants will be notified about the results within 3
workdays afterwards via e‑mail.
Successful applicants must confirm the acceptance of the scholarship via e‑mail by 10 November 2021. The
winning applicant upon arrival in Hungary must undertake to pay HUF 180.000 for KKM MDA Kft. involved in
the implementation of the training as a contribution to the cost of excursions included in the program – in case the
planned excursions can be carried out.
Depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, the MFA reserves the right to postpone or cancel the
excursions announced as part of the program, or to change the conditions of participation in them. In case of
postponement, the amount paid will be refunded to the applicant depending on the implementation of the
excursions.
The scholarship does not cover the following expenses:
· travel to and from Hungary
· language exam fee (ECL exam of level B2 or C1: approx. HUF 35,000)
· cost of two compulsory field trips (HUF 180.000)
· public transport season ticket
· food and personal expenses (the recommended monthly amount for food and personal expenses is
approximately USD 250)
· fee of type “Other” visa, if necessary
- CONDITIONS OF WINNING AND OBTAINING THE SCHOLARSHIP
Any applicant providing unreal, false information on the data sheet, and/or make such a statement when
submitting the application, and/or withhold any fact or data concerning the assessment of the application may
be excluded from the application procedure.
Participation in the application or winning the scholarship does not preclude the applicant from participating
in the application of the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Program (DFP) in November 2021.
By submitting their application, applicants consent to the processing of their personal data in the application
form by the MFA, by the decision-shaping bodies and decision-makers defined above for the time necessary
for the decision — but not later than 15 February 2022. By submitting their application, the winning applicants
also consent to the processing of their personal data in the application form by MFA and KKM MDA Kft.
during their scholarship period. Failure to comply with this reporting obligation will result in termination of
the scholarship holder status.
The list of Scholarship Winners is public. By participating in the application, the applicant agrees that his/her
name will be published on the website of the MFA if s/he is awarded a scholarship by the MFA.
The applicant acknowledges that, in view of the epidemiological situation, the MFA may postpone the preplanned
start date of the Hungarian Language and Cultural Studies Programme (1 February, 2022) and/or apply
distance learning methods in the training, or in a serious situation may refuse to start the training, may decide
to suspend the training and continue it after the suspension has been lifted, and may decide to apply a training
period shorter than it is determinated in this call for application. 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 to this circumstance.
In case of winning the scholarship the applicant undertakes to fill in the health screening questionnaire and
return to the assigned medical service provider of the KKM MDA Kft. before the start of the training. The
scholarship holder undertakes to take part in the health screening test organised by the MFA and/or KKM
MDA Kft. (based on the 16⁄2021. (I. 22.) Government Regulation and the Act CCIV of 2011) after enrolling
in the training. If, as a result of this screening test or any additional medical examination prescribed by the
doctor performing the screening test, the applicant receives „medically not recommended for training” result,
or the applicant refuses to carry out the previous screening test or examination, then no scholarship contract
and training contract will be concluded with the applicant. If the previous contract or contracts have already
been concluded, they will be terminated with immediate effect, and the scholarship holder will no longer be
able to participate in the training and have to move out of the dormitory within 3 days. If, during the period of
the Programme, the scholarship holder’s health status changes from “medically recommended for training” to
“medically not recommended for training”, his/her Scholarship Agreement may be terminated with immediate
effect.
The applicant undertakes to carry out the tests regarding to Covid-19 epidemic at his/her own expense, in
his/her home country and/or Hungary, due to entry to Hungary and/or entry into the dormitory and/or
participation in training.
Upon arrival in Hungary, the winning applicant must undertake to pay HUF 180.000 to KKM MDA Kft. as a
contribution to the costs of the excursions included in the programme – in case the planned excursions can be
carried out.
Signing Scholarship Agreement and a training agreement with the KKM MDA Kft.
- CONTACT
For further information please contact:
Ms. Charlotte Dömötörné Hársi (Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris)
E‑mail: chaharsi@yahoo.com
Ms. Tünde Sasvári (student affairs clerk)
E‑mail: hungarologia@mdakft.hu
Phone: +36 70 777 8552
The official call-for-application and the application form can be found at the Balassi Scholarship Programme
webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(in Hungarian: https://balassischolarship.kormany.hu,
in English: https://balassischolarship.kormany.hu/call-for-application-hungarian-cultural-studies),
as well as at the webpage of the Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris (www.kmcssz.org).
All Hungarian speakers should fill in the Hungarian-language application form. Use the English-language form
only if you do not speak Hungarian.