Call for Applications for the Future Leaders Program 2026!
The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) Future Leaders Program is a competitive, in-person fellowship designed for young professionals and recent graduates with a strong academic background and interest in international relations and foreign policy. Running from 1 April to 30 June 2026, the three-month program is conducted entirely in English and takes place at HIIA’s headquarters in Budapest, Hungary. It offers an intensive, practice-oriented opportunity for emerging talents from Hungary and abroad to gain direct exposure to policy research, strategic analysis, and the institutional workings of a leading foreign policy think tank.
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Participants in the Future Leaders Program are integrated into HIIA’s research and project management teams, where they work under close professional mentorship. Fellows contribute to research aligned with HIIA’s strategic priorities, drawing on either regional or thematic specialisations. Regional focus areas include the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Visegrád cooperation, Transatlantic relations, the Middle East, Turkic States, and the Asia-Pacific, while thematic tracks cover security and energy policy, global geopolitics, multipolarity, connectivity, cultural diplomacy, and family policy in an international context.
Beyond research, the program places strong emphasis on professional development. Fellows take part in structured seminars on Hungarian foreign policy, leadership development, public speaking, and media engagement. Opportunities are also provided to participate in public discussions and interact with members of Hungary’s foreign policy and diplomatic community, offering valuable insight into both national and international policy environments.
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1. Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
The fellowship requires an intensive on-site commitment of approximately 30 hours per week and is offered through a fixed-term contract, with compensation linked to specific milestones such as seminar participation and the completion of research outputs, including a personal research project. For fellows joining from abroad, HIIA offers additional support in the form of round-trip travel funding and a monthly contribution toward accommodation costs, while also assisting with visa procedures where needed. Overall, the Future Leaders Program serves as a focused pathway for young scholars seeking practical experience and professional grounding in international affairs and foreign policy analysis.
Location:
HungaryBenefits
- HIIA provides additional funding for international fellows that do not have a residence permit in Hungary:
- round-trip travel provided by HIIA,
- Fixed amount of financial support for accomodation costs each month.
Eligibilities
- Applicants must be recent graduates holding at least a bachelor’s degree
- Applicants must be under 30 years of age at the time of application
- Eligible academic backgrounds include International Relations, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Diplomacy, or closely related fields
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in foreign policy and international affairs
- A high level of English proficiency is required, with a minimum C1-level English language certificate
- Applicants must be able to participate in an intensive, in-person program (approximately 30 hours per week)
- Applicants must be available to attend the full program duration from 1 April to 30 June 2026 in Budapest, Hungary
- International applicants must be able to obtain the necessary visa for participation, with assistance available from HIIA if required
Application Process
- To apply, please click on the button at the top of the page, fill in the application form and upload all of the following attachments:
- CV (maximum two pages)
- cover letter (maximum one page)
- writing sample of 3000-5000 characters, including spaces
- proof of English language examination (minimum C1 level)
- Applicants must be recent graduates holding at least a bachelor’s degree
- Applicants must be under 30 years of age at the time of application
- Eligible academic backgrounds include International Relations, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Diplomacy, or closely related fields
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in foreign policy and international affairs
- A high level of English proficiency is required, with a minimum C1-level English language certificate
- Applicants must be able to participate in an intensive, in-person program (approximately 30 hours per week)
- Applicants must be available to attend the full program duration from 1 April to 30 June 2026 in Budapest, Hungary
- International applicants must be able to obtain the necessary visa for participation, with assistance available from HIIA if required
- Candidates are required to submit all documents in English. Selected candidates will be interviewed by the colleagues of HIIA.
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 (28 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
