🇭🇺 Fellowship in Hungary 🌍 HIIA Future Leaders Program at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs 📚 (Paid)

The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) is launching a call for its Future Leaders Program (2026 Fall Edition) for young talents well-versed in international relations from Hungary and abroad. Conducted in English, the fellowship runs from 1 September to 30 November 2026, in person.

Purpose

The program gives young talents and recent graduates interested in foreign policy a chance to get involved in HIIA's work and deepen their knowledge of Hungarian foreign policy. Fellows carry out research under professional mentorship and join HIIA's research groups and project management group, contributing to the institute's areas of strategic priority through their own regional or thematic field. HIIA provides extensive training, including seminars on foreign policy, leadership skills, public speaking and media, plus opportunities to join public professional discussions and get to know Hungarian foreign policy circles.

Key Research Topics

🌍 Regional studies: Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Visegrád cooperation, Transatlantic relations, Middle East, Turkic States, Asia-Pacific

🧭 Thematic studies: security policy, European Union, energy policy, multipolarity, global geopolitical issues, connectivity, cultural diplomacy

Who Can Apply

🎓 Recent graduates (minimum a Bachelor's degree) with an interest in foreign policy

📚 Degrees in International Relations, Philosophy, Political Science, History or Diplomacy (related fields considered case by case)

🔞 Under the age of 30

🇬🇧 English at minimum C1 level (proof required)

Conditions

🕒 Intensive in-person presence (approx. 30 hours/week) at HIIA HQ in Budapest

🇬🇧 The language of the program is English

💻 HIIA does not provide work equipment

💶 A three-month fixed-term contract with a gross amount disbursed upon achieving milestones (seminar participation, research reports and a personal research project)

For International Fellows

For fellows from abroad without a Hungarian residence permit, HIIA provides additional support:

✈️ Round-trip travel provided by HIIA

🏠 A fixed monthly amount of financial support for accommodation costs

🛂 International fellows are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa (HIIA can assist), and arrange their own accommodation

The Details

📍 Location: Budapest, Hungary (HIIA HQ, Bajza utca 44)

🗓️ Dates: 1 September 2026 to 30 November 2026

⏳ Duration: 3 months

🕒 Commitment: approx. 30 hours/week, in person

👥 For: recent graduates under 30 from Hungary and abroad

💶 Compensation: a paid, milestone-based gross amount (three-month fixed-term contract); international fellows also receive round-trip travel and monthly accommodation support

🗓️ Interviews: 6 to 17 July 2026; results announced 31 July 2026

How to Apply

📝 Fill in the application form via the page and upload your CV (max 2 pages), cover letter (max 1 page), a writing sample of 3000–5000 characters (including spaces) and proof of an English language exam (min C1). All documents must be in English. Selected candidates are interviewed by HIIA colleagues