EKÖP Application 2026

The call for applications of the University Research Scholarship Program (EKÖP) for the 2026/2027 academic year has been published

Semmelweis University announces the call for applications for the University Research Scholarship Program (EKÖP) for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The aim of EKÖP is to support the scientific and research excellence of students in higher education, doctoral students, doctoral candidates, as well as young lecturers and researchers, thereby contributing to the strengthening of academic and research staff succession at universities and to making the research career path more attractive.

Target groups eligible to apply for EKÖP at Semmelweis University

Students enrolled in bachelor’s programmes;
Students enrolled in master’s or undivided programmes;
Students enrolled in doctoral programmes;
Doctoral candidates who, during the scholarship period, carry out work‑related activities at Semmelweis University;
Young lecturers and researchers who, during the scholarship period, have a work‑related activity at Semmelweis University and who obtained their doctoral degree within the past five years.

Scholarship periods available

Duration	Scholarship Period
*Bachelor’s programme, Master’s programme, Undivided programme*
5 months	1 September 2026 – 31 January 2027 or 1 February 2027 – 30 June 2027
10 months	1 September 2026 – 30 June 2027
*Doctoral programme, doctoral candidate, young lecturer, researcher category*
5 months	1 September 2026 – 31 January 2027
7 months	1 February 2027 – 31 August 2027
12 months	1 September 2026 – 31 August 2027

Monthly scholarship amounts (based on Annex I)

Bachelor’s programmes: HUF 125,000 / month
Master’s and undivided programmes: HUF 150,000 / month
Doctoral programmes: HUF 175,000 – 200,000 / month
Doctoral candidates: HUF 225,000 / month
Young lecturers and researchers: HUF 250,000 / month

Application submission deadline

Between 28 April 2026 and 28 May 2026

Eligibility requirements

Applications may be submitted by natural persons who have not yet reached the age of 45, or who have received rector’s exemption.

Bachelor’s programme category

Students enrolled in bachelor’s programmes (any study schedule) with active student status;
At least one officially completed semester by the start of the scholarship;
Weighted grade point average of at least 4.00 in the previous completed semester;
At least one verified semester of TDK (scientific students’ research activity) prior to the start of the scholarship.

Master’s and undivided programme category

Students enrolled in master’s or undivided programmes (any study schedule) with active student status;
At least one completed semester;
Weighted grade point average of at least 4.00 in the previous completed semester;
At least one verified semester of TDK activity prior to the start of the scholarship.

PhD Training Category

The applicant is pursuing active doctoral studies in any form of study; or
Has submitted or intends to submit an application for admission to any doctoral training program announced by the Doctoral School of Semmelweis University for the 2026/2027 academic year, in any form of study;
As a condition of outstanding scientific/professional performance, the applicant is expected to have already presented the results of their previous PhD scholarship-supported scientific activity at at least one OTDK (National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference), or to have at least one scientific publication and/or innovation result (patent or utility model);
If there was a previous EKÖP or ÚNKP winning application, its final professional report received an “excellent” rating.

Doctoral candidate category

The applicant is conducting or has conducted their doctoral studies at Semmelweis University and, during the support period, has an employment relationship with Semmelweis University of at least 20 hours per week, which must be verified at the time of contracting (volunteer status is not accepted);
Has obtained, or is expected to obtain by the start of the scholarship period, the absolutorium;
Has not yet obtained the PhD degree at the time of establishing the scholarship relationship;
If there was a previous EKÖP or ÚNKP winning application, its final professional report received an “excellent” rating;
As a publication requirement, the applicant is expected to have at least one scientific publication affiliated with Semmelweis University and/or an innovation result (patent or utility model);
Has not previously received an ÚNKP or EKÖP doctoral candidate scholarship.

In the young instructor/researcher (postdoctoral) category

The applicant has an employment relationship with Semmelweis University of at least 20 hours per week (volunteer status is not accepted);
Has not yet obtained their doctoral degree but will obtain it no later than 31 July 2026, or obtained their degree within the last five years; and
Among the first-author publications used for obtaining the doctoral degree, at least one is classified as D1, or after obtaining the degree the applicant has a D1-classified first- or last-author publication, or holds a patent registered as an inventor;
If there was a previous EKÖP or ÚNKP winning application, its final professional report received an “excellent” rating;
The applicant is expected to participate in talent development activities at Semmelweis University (e.g. supervision of TDK projects, PhD supervision, delivery of elective course lectures, etc.).