This is a partnership award within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in Hungary, run with the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. One award is offered per competition.
The grantee spends nine months, September to May, studying or training at the Academy in Budapest in orchestral instruments, voice, jazz, music education, music history, composition, choir or orchestral conducting, or folk music.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend of US$1,300 plus HUF 200,000 (about US$600).
- Tuition covered up to US$4,000 per academic year; no full waiver, though a partial one can sometimes be negotiated.
- One-time US$300 settling-in allowance and airfare reimbursed up to US$1,500.
- Accident and sickness cover and Hungarian course fees; 12 months of U.S. federal non-competitive hiring eligibility.
- Grantees find their own housing, with the Commission’s help.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens or nationals at the deadline; permanent residents are not eligible. Dual Hungarian citizens may apply.
- A bachelor’s degree conferred before the grant starts (graduating seniors may apply), or four years of professional arts training; Ph.D. holders are not eligible.
- A strong music education background in one of the listed fields.
- No residence in Hungary (5 months counts) in the year before the grant.
- Not eligible if you lived abroad five or more of the six years before the deadline.
- Hungarian is not required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or equivalent before the start of the grant period. … In the creative and performing arts fields, four years of professional training and/or experience meets the basic eligibility requirement. … The following individuals are not eligible for consideration: … Applicants who currently hold or will hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) by the national application deadline. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
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Application process
- 1Email the Academy’s International Affairs office with your CV, a recent recording (at least two pieces, 20 minutes maximum) and project plans to request the required invitation letter.
- 2Then contact the Academy’s Study Department by its own deadline, saying you have applied for Fulbright.
- 3Apply online, choosing “Liszt Academy” as the award name; for a performance-based program, select Arts and upload the music portfolio for your field.
- 4Submit by the national deadline: 6 October 2026 for 2027–28.
Program timeline
Invitation letter requests
By 15 May or 1–15 September 2026
6 October 2026
2027–28 application deadline (closed)
First notification
End of January 2027
Final decisions
March–June 2027
Grant period
September 2027 – May 2028