The Government of Hungary, through the Tempus Public Foundation, has announced 200 fully funded scholarships for Kenyan students under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme for the 2026/2027 academic year. The initiative, coordinated by Hungary’s Scholarship Commission, targets qualified applicants for Bachelor’s, Master’s, One-Tier Master’s, and PhD programs at accredited universities in Hungary.
In a public notice shared on November 11, the Ministry of Education announced that the application process will be conducted entirely online through the official portal, https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu, which will open on November 15, 2025, and close on January 15, 2026.
Fields of Study
The scholarships cover a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Undergraduate (BA/BSc): Agricultural Science, Computer Science and Information Technology, Legal Science, Economic Science, Engineering Science, Medical and Health Science, and Natural Science.
- Master’s (MA/MSc): Same fields as undergraduate programs.
- One-Tier Master’s: General Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacology, Architecture, and Veterinary Medicine. These programs combine bachelor’s and master’s levels.
- Doctoral (PhD/DLA): Open in any field of interest.
Scholarship Benefits
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship offers full tuition coverage for the entire study period.
Students also receive medical insurance and accommodation support, either through a free dormitory place or a monthly contribution of HUF 40,000 (Ksh15,500) toward rental costs. In addition, beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend.
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and One-Tier Master’s students will receive HUF 43,700 (Ksh17,000) for 12 months each year until completion of studies.
PhD students will receive HUF 140,000 (Ksh54,400) during the first four semesters and HUF 180,000 (Ksh70,000) during the second phase. The Ministry of Education cautions that these provisions covered by the scholarship do not fully cover all the living costs in Hungary.
They are only a contribution to the living expenses, and the students need to add their own financial resources. Applicants are advised to review the expected costs in both Hungary and the city where they wish to live before applying, by visiting http://www.studyinhungary.hu/living-in-hungary/menu/your-costs-of-living.html.
Application Process
All eligible candidates must carefully read and strictly adhere to the following guidelines.
After completing the online application, candidates must download and print the submitted form, fill in the Ministry of Education’s Standard Scholarship Application Form from www.education.go.ke, and attach certified copies of ID, academic certificates, transcripts, birth certificate, and other required documents.
Postgraduate applicants must include a study plan or research proposal.
Applicants are required to submit their documents to the Ministry of Education either physically or electronically by January 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to complete the nomination process.
Applications should be delivered to:
Director, Higher Education
Ministry of Education
P.O. Box 9583 – 00200, Nairobi
Documents can also be hand-delivered to Telposta Towers, 27th floor, Room 2701, by January 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Employed applicants must apply through their Heads of Departments. Certificates from foreign institutions must be recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE) in order to be valid. It is also important to note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
All applicants must go through the Ministry’s preliminary selection process, as it is the designated sending partner for the Hungarian Government Scholarships.
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, launched by Hungary in 2013, is a flagship initiative designed to strengthen international academic cooperation. Kenya joined the program as a partner country to expand opportunities for its students in globally competitive fields. Through the Ministry of Education, Kenya nominates candidates for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies in Hungary.
Initially, Kenya received about 50 slots, which later expanded to 200 scholarships annually. Over the years, dozens of Kenyan students have benefited, gaining expertise in medicine, engineering, agriculture, and technology, which supports national development goals and fosters bilateral ties between Kenya and Hungary.
Source: thekenyatimes.com
