Semmelweis University is committed to the continuous development of doctoral (PhD) education, recognizing its key role in enhancing the institution’s scientific performance and ensuring the next generation of academic and research staff. In this spirit, a priority objective is to provide PhD students with support schemes that promote the development of their scientific achievements and their research and teaching competencies throughout the entire doctoral training period.
The purpose of this call is to provide an opportunity for reclassification into the Cooperative Doctoral Training Program for students who meet the conditions outlined below.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications may be submitted by students who:
- hold an active PhD student status in a state-funded doctoral program;
- established their student status after 1 September 2025; and
- from 1 September 2026 are employed for at least 20 but no more than 24 hours per week, or hold a resident physician or healthcare employment relationship, at Semmelweis University, a healthcare institution, or a research and development company that has a certified R&D project registered with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH).
Evaluation Preferences
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- have an employment relationship or another work-related legal relationship with Semmelweis University (e.g., healthcare service or residency status);
- have published a paper in a D1 or Q1 ranked journal;
- can demonstrate documented innovation achievements (patents, utility model protection, software, know-how disclosures submitted to the institution or relevant authority, etc.);
- obtained a placement at the National Scientific Students’ Associations Conference (OTDK) as a student of Semmelweis University.
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible to apply:
- students previously supported under the EKÖP-KDP program;
- MD-PhD students who are still participating in their undergraduate medical studies;
- doctoral students whose combined employment relationships (residency, healthcare service relationship, or employment contract) exceed 24 hours per week.
If, during the scholarship period, the applicant’s employment status changes in a way that no longer satisfies the eligibility criteria, they will be reclassified to the standard state-funded doctoral scholarship category. Any change in employment status must be reported immediately to the Doctoral Office.
Mandatory Attachments
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- a professional CV;
- the completed application form;
- an MTMT publication list showing impact factors*, citations, and the SCImago ranking of journals (D1, Q1-Q4);
- for accepted publications not yet listed in MTMT, a letter confirming acceptance;
- copies of the title pages of publications;
- copies of documents verifying innovation achievements;
- a supervisor’s statement;
- a statement from the employer/research institution director or residency training site director.
* Impact factor for the year of publication, or the most recent available impact factor.
Submission Procedure
Applications must be submitted by e-mail (except for doctoral students participating in the Translational Medicine Program) to: phd.palyazatok@semmelweis.hu
Applications from doctoral students participating in, or admitted to, the Translational Medicine Program must be sent by e-mail to: tmk@semmelweis.hu
Deadline: 26 August 2026
Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt by e-mail.
You can find the evaluation/scoring system for the application .
A decision on the applications is expected by 30 September 2026, and applicants will be notified of the outcome by e-mail.
Applications submitted after the deadline cannot be accepted.