The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) is launching a call for applications for its Future Leaders Program for young talents well-versed in international relations from Hungary and abroad. The fellowship, which is conducted in English, will run from March 31, 2025, through June 30, 2025 in person.
Purpose of the HIIA Future Leaders Program
The HIIA Future Leaders Program aims to provide an opportunity for young talents and recent graduates interested in foreign policy to get involved in the work of HIIA and to deepen their knowledge of the various fields of Hungarian foreign policy. During the program, fellows will carry out research under professional mentorship and participate in the work of our research groups and projectmanagement group. Through their own research fields (regional or thematic), fellows will engage with and contribute to the analysis of HIIA’s areas of strategic priority. HIIA will provide fellows with an extensive educational and professional training—including seminars on foreign policy as well as on leadership skills, public speaking and media training—and also opportunities to publish, to participate in public professional discussions and to get to know Hungarian foreign policy circles.
Key research topics
- Regional studies: Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Visegrád cooperation, Transatlantic relations, Middle East, Turkic States, Asia-Pacific
- Thematic studies: Security policy, Energy policy, Multipolarity, Global geopolitical issues, Connectivity, Family policy in international context, Cultural diplomacy
Who can apply?
Recent graduates (minimum: bachelor’s degree) with an interest in foreign policy. Required or acceptable Degrees as follows (related fields will be considered on an individual basis):
– International Relations
– Philosophy
– Political Science
– History
– International Economics
and applicants should be under the age of 30.
How to apply?
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
Candidates are required to submit all documents in English. Selected candidates will be interviewed by the colleagues of HIIA.
Deadlines
Deadline for applications: 10 February 2025
Interviews: 12 February – 27 February 2025
Announcement of the results: 7 March 2025
Fellowship start date: 31 March 2025
Fellowship end date: 30 June 2025
General conditions
The program requires intensive (approx. 30 hours/week) personal presence at HIIA HQ. (1062 Budapest, Bajza utca 44.).
The language of the program is English.
HIIA does not provide work equipment.
HIIA will engage fellows of the Future Leaders Program in a three-month, fixed-term contract with a gross amount of HUF 1.050.000 (appr. 2530 EUR) that will disburse upon the achievement of particular milestones. These will include participation in educational and professional development seminars, as well as the production of research reports for HIIA and a personal research project.
Special provisions for fellows from abroad:
HIIA provides additional funding for international fellows that do not have a residence in Hungary:
- round-trip travel provided by HIIA,
- gross extra 200 000 HUF (approx. 480 EUR) for accommodation costs for a month
Before applying to the program, please check the visa requirements, as international fellows are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa for the participation in the program. HIIA is ready to provide assistance with obtaining the visa.