Research Fellowship Programs

Eligibility requirements

In pursuit of academic excellence and fostering international collaboration, the CIAS fellowship places a strong emphasis on selecting scholars who possess a significant academic background and a commitment to advancing their research and teaching capabilities. To this end, prospective applicants are required to demonstrate a robust academic foundation, an outstanding publication history, proficiency in English, and a clear vision for their proposed activities in Hungary. Moreover, candidates must guarantee their availability in Budapest for the entire grant period, thus facilitating an uninterrupted scholarly journey. Additionally, while optional, the inclusion of a certification of good health is encouraged.

The following sections outline the criteria and advantages that prospective candidates should consider when applying for this prestigious scholarship, encompassing professional accomplishments, travel and residence experience, as well as their standing within the academic and research domains. These factors collectively contribute to the holistic evaluation of applicants and underscore the scholarship’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence.

Requirements and evaluation criteria:

Advantages during the evaluation process:

Housing is arranged individually by the grantee, but if necessary, the University/CIAS can provide support in finding a good housing solution. As a second option, the University can provide fully equipped, high-quality professors’ apartments at the new campus, but these apartments are offered depending on the capacity and the occupancy of the building. Further information about the professors’ apartments and the availability will be provided with the acceptance letter.

Cost of travel: A fixed amount of travel allowance (in one lump-sum) is offered to every research fellow at CIAS, to support them with the expenses at the beginning of their grant period. For those from within Europe it is 700 EUR for a round trip; for those from overseas it is 1400 EUR for a round trip. The travel of any other additional (accompanying) person/s is not covered as part of the grant package (must be covered by the grantee). The grantee’s further travels are not financially supported.

Insurance only for the grantee for the duration of stay is covered by University/CIAS as part of the grant package. The amount is 140 EUR/month.

Family allowance: for those with a spouse or one child 420 EUR/month is added to the stipend. For those with two or more family members (e.g., spouse and one or more children or without a spouse and with two or more children) 700 EUR/month will be added to the stipend, as part of the grant package. The amount for family allowance is proportional to the duration of stay of the family member(s).

Residence in Hungary

Resident research fellows will stay in Budapest for the whole period of the grant. The grantee could leave Budapest for professional activities (e.g., conferences) related to his/her research proposal and short family visits. The Dean of the CIAS must approve any kind of travel in advance. CIAS cannot provide further support to cover the expenses of these trips.

The non-resident research fellows will stay at least 1 month/ 4 weeks in Hungary in the CIAS environment and will spend the other months of the fellowship in their home environment. The stipend and allowances are calculated differently for the grant period according to the place of residence.

Stipend details

The amount of stipend and other allowances is proportional to the duration of stay (XX months). The payments are bound to the performance of the researchers and should be expected to be received every two months. The requirement for receiving the first payment is the possession of a Hungarian TAJ and tax number, which are essential for the bank transactions. The research fellows of CIAS are eligible to receive their last installment according to the service contract, after the submission of a publication into a peer-reviewed journal (D1 or Q1, Q1 or Q2, according to the category of the research fellowship).

Taxation guide

The amount of the calculated tax in Hungary can be as much as around 30% of the pre-tax total.

If the grantee can provide a tax residence certificate according to the Double Taxation Convention between their country of residence and Hungary and a certificate of social security coverage by the grantee’s home country (EU countries: A1 form, non-Eu countries: a document that states that the grantee has a medical and/or health insurance in his/her home country and the grantee pay the contribution for that period there) then he/she will receive the gross amount indicated in the service contract. If the grantee cannot do that, then the University (CIAS) will pay a reduced amount (the amount of the calculated tax will be subtracted from the total amount of the grant package).

Termination and suspension policy

A grant may be revoked, terminated, or suspended.

Grounds for revocation or termination include, but are not limited to:

(a.) violation of any law of Hungary;

(b.) failure to observe satisfactory academic or professional standards;

(c.) physical or mental incapacitation;

(d.) engaging in any unauthorized income-producing activity;

(e.) failure to comply with the grant’s terms and conditions;

(f.) material misinterpretation made by any grantee in the application form or grant document.

A grant may be suspended if:

(a.) the grantee ceases to carry out the project during the grant period;

(b.) the grantee leaves Hungary without authorization by CIAS.