If you value higher education but worry about being able to afford it, then scholarships are a godsend. The Central European University (CEU) Scholarships 2026 are among that rare few that don’t simply cover your tuition, but also offer access to a global academic community in the heart of Europe. CEU is known for its scholarly curiosity, international campus, and focus on social sciences, humanities, public policy, and more.
If you’re about to enter a master’s, head into a PhD, or perhaps an undergrad program, then there are funding opportunities at CEU that will make it so that you worry about your studies, not so much about money. Let’s take a closer look.
Program Overview
Program: CEU Scholarships 2026
Coverage: Master’s & PhD: Fully funded, Bachelor’s: Partial tuition award
Nationality: Accepts international students
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Duration: Varies based on program (Bachelor’s 3-4 years; Master’s 1-2 years; PhD
University: Central European University (CEU)
Host Country: Hungary (Budapest) & Austria (Vienna)
Deadline: February 4, 2026
About Scholarships of Central European University (CEU)
The Scholarships at CEU seek to bring together talented, vibrant students from across the globe and materially support them in realizing their academic and professional aspirations. Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary, host campuses of CEU, which makes it a unique institution in higher education in Europe.
The scholarship is more than about financial support. It is about what CEU stands for: critical thought, world-class research, and getting students ready to become world changers in global issues. The students at CEU hail from over 100 nations, so it is a richly international environment that gives students opportunities across careers in academics, public service, NGOs, policy-making, and more.
Scholarship Coverage & Benefits
Depending on your degree level, CEU offers different kinds of support. Here’s the breakdown:
For Master’s Students (Fully Funded)
- 100% tuition fee coverage
- Monthly stipend to cover daily expenses
- Health insurance in the research period
For PhD Students (Fully Funded)
- Full tuition waiver
- Generous monthly stipend (above Master’s)
- Health insurance
- Funds to support research expenses, travel, or attendance at conferences
For Undergraduate Students (Partial Support)
- Tuition fee discounts (partials, not full)
- Merit-based awards to recognize educational attainment
Those benefits significantly reduce cost thresholds, so students can direct time and energy towards research, studies, and building valuable professional networks.
Eligibility Criteria
The CEU Scholarships 2026 are open to hundreds of thousands of applicants, although there are certain academic and general conditions that are required:
- Nationality: Satisfactory for all international students
- Undergraduate: Secondary school graduation or equivalent degree
- Master’s: An accredited bachelor’s degree in a related field
- PhD: A master’s degree, usually in a related discipline
- English Proficiency: Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent). Individuals who studied in English-medium institutions may be exempted.
- Academic Ability: Outstanding academic ability with evidence of passion and scholarly potential
Available Fields of Study
CEU is particularly renowned for humanities and social sciences, though it has very varied offerings. Some of its key focus areas include:
- Political Science and International Relations
- Public Policy and Administration
- Legal Studies
- Philosophy and History
- Sociology and Social Anthropology
- Gender Studies
- Environmental Sciences and Policy
- Cognitive Science
- Economics and Business
- Mathematics and Data Science
They not only inspire students to excel in their majors, but also to approach global issues in interdisciplinary manners.
Check out: DeutschlandStipendium Full Funding Scholarship 2025 Germany (€300 Monthly Support)
Application Deadline
The Application deadline for the CEU Scholarships 2026 is:
February 4, 2026
Necessary documents must be received by this date. Application after this date will not be considered in most cases, so apply in good time.
How to Apply for CEU Scholarships
Applying for Scholarships at CEU requires several cautious steps. Here is what you must do:
- Open the CEU Admissions Portal
Visit the official website at Central European University Admissions - Open a OneAccount
Register and establish your applicant profile at the CEU portal. - Select Your Program
Choose a program that suits your academic interests and career goals. - Prepare and Upload Documents
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
- Research proposal (for PhD programs)
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- Evidence of proficiency in English (if applicable)
- Submit the Application
Check it all carefully before submitting. Once submitted, applications will be reviewed in-house. - Interviews (if applicable)
Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed online or in person by some programmes.
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Selection Process
Applications are scrutinized by CEU’s admission committees. The procedure usually takes into consideration:
- Academic achievements and transcripts
- Relevance of past studies to chosen program
- Clarity of personal statement or research proposal
- Recommendation letters by professors/professionals
- Proficiency in languages and general compatibility with CEU’s scholarly community
PhD students, in particular, will be matched against potential supervisors and will be assessed upon planned research project.
Why Study at CEU with Scholarship?
There are several scholarship schemes around the world, but CEU stands out because of several reasons:
- Global Environment: Having over 100 countries as home, CEU offers a truly cosmopolitan academic community.
- Academic Reputation: The university stands among Europe’s top institutions in terms of sciences and humanities.
- Location Advantage: Learning and staying in Vienna and Budapest gives exposure to lively cultural, political, and intellectual hubs of Central Europe.
- Strong Alumni Network: The graduates usually proceed to work in prominent careers in academia, NGOs, public policy, law, and international organizations.
- Focus on Critical Issues: The university has a tradition of promoting discourse and research regarding critical global issues, such as democracy, human rights, as well as environmental sustainability.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Start early preparation, especially in essays and research proposals.
- Keep it brief and personal in your statement of purpose—show how CEU fits into your plans.
- Give your referees plenty of time by asking them early.
- List extracurricular activities, leadership, or work experiences that show there’s more to you than grades.
- Check every document to avoid small errors that could affect your application.
Conclusions
If you’ve ever been curious about what it would be like to attend school in Europe, in a cosmopolitan world where ideas matter and students are challenged to think, then the CEU Scholarships 2026 could be your opportunity. Competitive, yes, but if you’re specialized in your field and willing to get out there, they can revolutionize your academic and professional life in amazing ways.
Don’t delay—start your application now, and take your shot at being part of a global community that’s shaping research and policy for tomorrow.
Apply here: Central European University Admissions