Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) 2026/2027
The Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) is an exceptional opportunity for Christian students from some particular regions of the world to pursue full-degree higher education in Hungary, fully funded by the Government of Hungary. More than a scholarship, SCYP is a lifelong opportunity, empowering future leaders, rebuilders, innovators, and changemakers who will contribute to their communities upon graduation.
The 2026/2027 acceptance period is now officially open, and this detailed and comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to know, from eligibility to application requirements, what the scholarship covers, and important deadlines.
What Is the SCYP Scholarship?
The Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP) is a humanitarian initiative established by the Government of Hungary to support Christian youth from crisis regions or countries where they face persecution or restrictions on religious freedom. It enables students to enroll in bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s, or doctoral degree programmes at Hungarian universities.
The vision is to educate and empower students, preparing them to return home and use their knowledge to contribute to the development of their communities, socially, economically, culturally, and spiritually
What the SCYP Scholarship Covers
One of the most generous aspects of SCYP is its comprehensive financial support package, designed to enable students to live and study in Hungary with minimal financial stress. However, note that the scholarship is a contribution to your expenses and in some cities you may need additional personal funding.
1. Tuition Fee Exemption
- All SCYP scholars receive full tuition coverage for their chosen degree programme at the host institution.
2. Accommodation Support
- You are entitled to either:
- A free dormitory place at a university residence hallor
- A monthly contribution of HUF 40,000 (approx. EUR ~110) toward personal accommodation costs.
Note: In major cities like Budapest, the contribution may not cover all rent — so budgeting is important.
3. Monthly Living Stipend
- To support day-to-day living, SCYP provides a monthly stipend:
- Bachelor’s, one-tier master’s, and master’s levels: HUF 166,600 per month (approx. EUR ~450)
- Doctoral level:
- First 4 semesters: HUF 140,000/month
- Next 4 semesters: HUF 180,000/month
This stipend is intended to help with food, transportation, study materials, and other living costs.
4. Travel Allowance
- SCYP provides a travel cost reimbursement of up to HUF 200,000 per academic year (approx. EUR ~500) to cover travel between Hungary and your home country.
5. Medical Insurance
- You will receive health insurance according to Hungarian national legislation, along with supplementary medical insurance up to HUF 65,000 per year (approx. EUR ~180).
6. Language Course Requirement
- During your first year of studies, you are required to attend a Hungarian language course offered by your host institution. Attendance is mandatory to continue receiving your monthly stipend.
Eligibility Requirements (2026/2027)
SCYP has specific eligibility criteria, and only complete, compliant applications will be considered.
1. Eligible Countries
For the 2026/2027 academic year, the scholarship is open to citizens of the following countries:
- Lebanese Republic
- Republic of Ghana
- Republic of Nicaragua
- Republic of Niger
- Republic of Chad
- Republic of Iraq
- State of Israel
- Palestine
- Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Republic of Kenya
- Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- Republic of Armenia
- Federal Republic of Nigeria
Only citizens of these countries are eligible to apply directly.
2. Christian Church Recommendation
A critical requirement of SCYP is a Letter of Recommendation issued by your local Christian church authority.
- The letter must be issued on official church letterhead, signed and stamped by the bishop or highest ecclesiastical authority.
- It must confirm your active membership in that church or denomination.
- The recommendation must be issued within the validity period stipulated in the Call for Applications.
Applications without an approved church recommendation will not be processed.
3. Minimum Age Requirement
- To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old by 31 August 2026 (that is, born on or before 31 August 2008).
4. Academic Requirements
SCYP supports full-degree programmes at various academic levels:
- Bachelor’s programmes (2–4 years)
- Master’s programmes (1.5–2 years)
- One-tier master’s programmes (5–6 years — professional degrees such as medicine, engineering, etc.)
- Doctoral programmes (8 semesters — available only to current SCYP master’s holders or applicants in their final master’s semester)
You must meet the entry requirements of the host university for the degree you are applying for, including:
- Secondary school completion or higher (depending on degree)
- Official academic transcripts
- Proof of language proficiency (usually English — see the application portal for exact requirements)
5. Residency Requirements
To apply for the first cycle of degree studies, you must be:
- A resident or domiciled in your country of nationality (or in an Official Development Assistance recipient country) at the time of application.
Who Cannot Apply
Your application will be considered invalid if you are:
- A Hungarian citizen (including dual nationality)
- A refugee, temporary protection, subsidiary protection, humanitarian protection, or stateless person living in Hungary
- Someone already settled in Hungary at the time of application
- Already enrolled as a self-financed student in a Hungarian institution
- A former SCYP scholar applying for the same academic level again (e.g., another bachelor’s)
- Those applying to continue to a higher cycle (e.g., from bachelor’s to master’s) may be eligible.
How to Apply
Applying to SCYP is done entirely online through the official SCYP application platform. Hard copies are not required.
1. Online Registration
- Visit the official SCYP application portal
- Register your personal profile using your email and basic personal information.
- After registration, log in and proceed to fill out your application form in English.
- Save your progress frequently, only submitted applications are considered.
2. Essential Documents to Upload
The following documents must be uploaded in PDF format and not exceed 4mb.
- Application Form: Fully completed online form.
- Motivation Letter: A typed English personal statement (minimum 1 page) explaining:
- Why you chose the programme
- How your studies will contribute to your community after graduation
- Letter of Recommendation from Your Local Church: Issued on official letterhead, signed by the highest church authority available, and approved by the State Secretariat.
- Proof of Language Proficiency: Official evidence of English language competency as required by the host institution.
- Academic Certificates & Transcripts: Depending on the level you are applying for:
- Bachelor’s: Secondary school certificate
- Master’s: Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Doctoral: Master’s degree certificate
- Translated copies may be required if originals are not in English or Hungarian.
- Identification: Scanned copy of your passport or national ID.
- Medical Certificate: A general health certificate completed by a physician on the official form provided in the Call.
- Statement for Application: Click to accept the online privacy and consent statement — required to finalize submission.
3. Submit Your Application
- Once all fields are complete and documents uploaded:
- Click “Submit” in the online portal.
- Applications saved but not submitted will not be reviewed.
- You may only apply for one study programme per cycle.
For more details about the scholarship, visit the official Call for Application page.
Application Timeline (2026/2027)
Understanding the timeline is important because missing a deadline will invalidate your application.
| Stage | Date/Deadline |
| Call for Applications published | November 27, 2025 |
| Online Applications OPEN | December 1, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | January 10, 2026 (11:59pm) |
| Technical check & recommendation approval | February 15, 2026 |
| Institutional evaluation & admission procedures | Until April 30, 2026 |
| Final scholarship decision | June 15, 2026 |
| Visa process & document preparation | July – August, 2026 |
| Arrival in Hungary for studies | From September 1, 2026 |
Tips for a Successful Application
- Start early: Collecting a church letter and preparing academic translations takes time.
- Follow instructions exactly: Many applications are rejected for missing documents.
- Write a compelling motivation letter: This is your chance to tell your story.
- Double-check file formats: Some institutions reject applications due to incorrect uploads.
Conclusion
The SCYP Scholarship 2026/2027 is a life-changing opportunity, a ticket to higher education in Europe, and also a platform to build leadership skills, global networks, and lasting contributions to your community.
If you fulfill the eligibility requirements and are ready to make a difference, the time to act is now — applications close on 10 January 2026.