The scholarship programmes aim to support the training of the next generations of Hungarian researchers and creative artists, helping them to start and stay on a research and artistic career, and to support the work of outstanding young researchers and artists.
Programmes
University Research Scholarship Programme (EKÖP)
University Research Scholarship Programme - Cooperative Doctoral Programme (EKÖP-KDP)
Source of funding for the programmes
National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (Research Sub-fund)
Total budget
In 2025, the total budget for the programmes is HUF 6 billion.
Submission of applications (institutions)
Applications can be submitted for the EKÖP sub-programme from 9:00 CET on 7 May 2025 until 12:00 CET on 30 May 2025 and for the EKÖP-KDP sub-programme from 9:00 CET on 7 May 2025 until 12:00 CET on 15 August 2025 via the Electronic Portal for Application, Information and Communication (EPTK).
Submission of proposals (scholarship grantees)
As specified in the calls for proposals of the institutions participating in the programmes; the call documentation is in each case available on the institution’s website.
Objective of the programmes, eligible beneficiaries
EKÖP scholarship calls promote student and researcher excellence by supporting undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, as well as young researchers and academics who are engaged in effective research and creative activities at the host higher education institution. EKÖP fosters creativity, scientific research and innovation, regardless of the scientific and artistic fields.
The EKÖP Cooperative Doctoral Programme aims to further increase the number of employees working in the RDI segment, primarily in the broader STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, agriculture, medicine, health and arts) and business and management sciences, who seek to enrich their professional knowledge with the latest scientific research and are committed to the social and economic exploitation of their knowledge.
Institutions participating in the EKÖP programmes and available funding per project.
Institutions and frameworks established as recommended by the Research Council of Hungary.
| EKÖP 2025 | |
| Institution | Available funding |
| University of Veterinary Medicine | HUF 33,206,468 |
| Corvinus University of Budapest | HUF 100,061,794 |
| Budapest University of Economics | HUF 11,732,439 |
| Budapest Metropolitan University | HUF 29,281,090 |
| Budapest University of Technology and Economics | HUF 240,384,275 |
| University of Debrecen | HUF 301,010,558 |
| Eötvös Loránd University | HUF 334,553,138 |
| Eszterházy Károly Catholic University | HUF 29,002,244 |
| Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary | HUF 37,521,728 |
| Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences | HUF 124,932,217 |
| Hungarian University of Sports Science | HUF 6,279,240 |
| University of Miskolc | HUF 107,044,546 |
| National University of Public Service | HUF 66,817,404 |
| John von Neumann University | HUF 13,340,491 |
| University of Nyíregyháza | HUF 18,276,938 |
| Óbuda University | HUF 62,700,238 |
| University of Pannonia | HUF 81,579,872 |
| Pázmány Péter Catholic University | HUF 61,122,550 |
| University of Pécs | HUF 213,929,192 |
| Semmelweis University | HUF 215,414,069 |
| University of Sopron | HUF 47,174,400 |
| Széchenyi István University | HUF 93,202,183 |
| University of Szeged | HUF 225,545,133 |
| University of Dunaújváros | HUF 5,468,750 |
| Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music | HUF 14,040,000 |
| Hungarian University of Fine Arts | HUF 10,016,917 |
| Moholy-Nagy University of the Arts | HUF 10,560,000 |
| University of Theatre and Film Arts | HUF 10,200,000 |
| University of Tokaj-Hegyalja | HUF 5,468,750 |
| Total | HUF 2,509,866,624 |
| EKÖP-KDP 2025 | |
| Institution | Available funding |
| University of Veterinary Medicine | HUF 72,711,112 |
| Corvinus University of Budapest | HUF 90,888,890 |
| Budapest University of Technology and Economics | HUF 563,511,118 |
| University of Debrecen | HUF 254,488,892 |
| Eötvös Loránd University | HUF 490,800,006 |
| Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences | HUF 163,600,002 |
| University of Miskolc | HUF 181,777,780 |
| National University of Public Service | HUF 90,888,890 |
| Óbuda University | HUF 72,711,112 |
| University of Pannonia | HUF 181,777,780 |
| Pázmány Péter Catholic University | HUF 36,355,556 |
| University of Pécs | HUF 236,311,114 |
| Semmelweis University | HUF 436,266,672 |
| University of Sopron | HUF 36,355,556 |
| Széchenyi István University | HUF 163,600,002 |
| University of Szeged | HUF 272,666,670 |
| Budapest University of Economics | HUF 36,355,556 |
| Hungarian University of Sports Science | HUF 36,355,556 |
| Moholy-Nagy University of the Arts | HUF 36,355,556 |
| John von Neumann University | HUF 36,355,556 |
| Total | HUF 3,490,133,376 |
Available funding per project (scholarship grantees)
The scholarship amount is HUF 125,000-250,000 /month/person under the EKÖP Programme and HUF 400,000/month/person under the EKÖP-KDP Programme. Moreover, the higher education institution’s call for proposals may also specify other benefits offered to research participants.
Period of scholarship
The start date of the scholarship period: 1 September 2025 or 1 February 2026 Scholarships are awarded for a period of 5 to 12 months in the EKÖP Programme and for 24 to 48 months in the EKÖP-KDP Programme.
Who is eligible for an EKÖP scholarship
Th EKÖP Programme is open to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, as well as to academics and researchers who have obtained their doctorate degree no more than 5 years ago. The EKÖP-KDP Programme is open to doctoral students.
Implementation of the Programmes, evaluation of proposals and decision on awarding scholarships
As specified in the calls for proposals of the institutions participating in the programmes; the call documentation is in each case available on the institution’s website.
Legal background
EKÖP Programmes are run in accordance with Government Decree 24/2013 (II.5.) on Excellence in National Higher Education.
Contact:
Institutions participating in the programmes are invited to send their enquiries to nkfialap@nkfih.gov.hu and ekop@nkfih.gov.hu. Scholarship grantees are encouraged to contact the relevant higher education institution for more information on how to apply.