Applications Open for 2026 Budapest Open Society Fellowship

Academia Fights Back: Budapest Fellowship Champions Resistance in Illiberal Times.Applications are now open for a prestigious fellowship in Hungary. The program focuses on resistance and resilience against rising autocratic regimes. The deadline for submissions is September 20, 2025.This initiative is a joint effort by three Central European University units. It aims to support scholars and artists confronting global democratic backsliding.

Fellowship Provides Financial Support and Housing

Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend and accommodation. Senior Fellows get 2,600 Euros net per month. Junior Fellows receive 1,500 Euros.The program also provides housing at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse. Fellows are responsible for their own utilities, travel, and health insurance. This support allows them to focus entirely on their research and creative work.

Analyzing the Global Rise of Autocratic Techniques

The fellowship will dissect how modern autocratic governments operate. These regimes often merge populist, neoliberal, and religious fundamentalist ideologies. They also undermine traditional conceptions of truth and verification.Researchers will explore transnational links between these regimes and their opponents. The goal is to foster multidisciplinary synergies to understand and defy these trends. The academic community is increasingly concerned about these challenges.

How Mark Ruffalo Saved Woody Harrelson From a Bar Fight

The Budapest Open Society Fellowship represents a critical investment in intellectual freedom. It empowers scholars to document and resist authoritarian pressures. This initiative is vital for safeguarding academic discourse worldwide.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?

Applicants must hold a PhD in social sciences or humanities. Artists need a relevant university degree and a strong track record. All applicants must have publications in recognized scholarly outlets.

What is the difference between a Junior and Senior Fellow?

Junior Fellows are those who obtained their PhD in 2018 or later. Senior Fellows are those who received their doctorate before 2018. The stipend levels differ between the two categories.

Where will the fellowship take place?

The fellowship is based in Budapest, Hungary. Fellows will be housed at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse. The working language of the program is English.

What is the application deadline?

All applications must be submitted by September 20, 2025. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central European Time. The fellowship period is for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Are there any restrictions for former CEU affiliates?

Yes, former full-time CEU employees and students cannot apply for five years. Part-time employees have a one-year waiting period. Former fellows cannot reapply for seven years.