How was HAESF established?

HAESF is the legacy of HAEF – the Hungarian-American Enterprise Fund.

What is HAESF's mission?

HAESF's mission is to promote free enterprise and business development in Hungary by creating opportunities for accomplished Hungarians to come to the United States to gain professional experience.

What programs does HAESF offer?

• Professional Internship Program – for master, graduate and full-time PhD students
• Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship – for accomplished professionals with at least 8 years experience and support from the host institution
• Graduate Scholarship – provides financial support to pursue terminal degrees that lead to professional occupations, including health, sciences, architecture, engineering, business, accounting, actuarial science, law and the arts
• Executive Education Program - provides fully funded Fellowships of varying length to distinguished mid-level and senior-level Hungarian professionals, in the business, public, and nonprofit sectors, and participate in executive education programs offered by Harvard University.

How is HAESF different from other scholarship opportunities?

HAESF places an emphasis on practical professional experience in the form of supported professional internships and projects internships, projects and degrees.

When is the next application deadline?

March 20 and November 15 – Executive Education Program

April 1 and October 15 – Professional Internship Program and Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship

April 15 - Graduate Scholarship

What is the maximum financial award that HAESF offers?

The maximum award for the Professional Internship Program is 30,000 USD for 12 months.

The maximum award for the Senior Leaders and Scholars Fellowship is 60,000 USD for 12 months.

The maximum award for the Graduate Scholarship is 25,000 USD for 12 months for up to 3 years maximum.

The maximum award for the Executive Education Program includes full tuition, roundtrip airfare and living expenses for the duration of the course.

What fields does HAESF accept applicants from?

• Management, Business, Economics and Finance
• Public Administration, International Relations and Law
• Natural and Social Sciences
• Exact Sciences: Engineering, Architecture, Math, Information Technology etc.
• Public Health
• Medicine (medical students eligible, restrictions apply)
• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

The Fellowship program is also open to candidates who can demonstrate a significant potential of contribution to Hungarian development in the following fields:

• Arts and Culture
• Library Science, Counseling and Education (teachers are not eligible)
• Media and Communications

Where have successful fellows been placed in the past?

See a complete list of previous host organizations.

Can I only expect to be placed at one of the companies above?

Not necessarily. The placements depend on the Fellows' particular fields of study and are tailored specifically to each individual. The Fellows' suggestions and preferences are taken into consideration whenever possible. However, if one of the former companies is determined to be a good match and has the availability to host another Fellow, HAESF will start the placement process by exploring that opportunity first.

How does HAESF determine which companies the selected Fellows are placed at?

HAESF is committed to providing the selected Fellows with practical training opportunities related to each individual's field of study and stated professional goals. HAESF cannot guarantee placements of desired length, in desired geographical locations or at preferred companies. However, individual suggestions and preferences are taken into consideration whenever possible. Generally, around 50% of the Fellows are placed with the companies of their choice.

If I am not happy with a placement offer, can I reject it and expect HAESF to find me another placement?

Fellows' decisions to accept or decline a training placement offer should be based solely on the professional relevance of the training (and not on geography or company). Declining a professionally relevant traineeship offer equals to declining the HAESF Fellowship. If, after an interview with a potential host organization, the Fellow has concerns about the nature or quality of the offered training, s/he should address the issue with the office. If HAESF determines that the Fellow's concerns are valid, s/he will be offered another placement opportunity.

Is the award sufficient to cover the cost of my stay in the US?

HAESF awards are sufficient to cover round trip airfare to the U.S., administrative expenses and all basic costs of living while in the U.S. The HAESF awards are above average when compared to academic fellowships or similar internships.

What is the exact award amount determined by?

The award amount is determined by three main factors:

• Duration of internship
• Individual traineeship circumstances
• Geography

I have spent a considerable amount of time working and/or studying abroad. Does the language exam requirement apply to me?

Many of the applicants to the program have spent extended periods of time studying, working, or studying English abroad. This does not waive them from the language exam requirement. For the sake of fairness, and to have a standard measure of English language ability prior to the interview, we require all applicants to provide some form of official language certification. For a current list of accepted documents, please contact the Budapest HAESF office.

Who is invited for an interview?

Those candidates with a reasonable chance of meeting the expectations of U.S. employers are invited to HAESF's Budapest office for an interview.

What can I expect from the interview?

Interviews are conducted in English, and last approximately 20-40 minutes.

What is the purpose of the interview?

The interview helps HAESF's staff evaluate the applicant's professional preparedness and language skills in person and gives the applicant an opportunity to state and clarify his/her professional goals.

What are the main criteria for selection?

The main factors that HAESF weighs when making selection decisions are professional preparation and the relevance of the candidate's stated goals to HAESF's mission.

Approximately what percentage of applicants is accepted?

Since the inception of HAESF, an average of 1/3 of applicants to all of the programs have been accepted.

What advice would you give to potential fellows?

• Be specific, especially regarding your professional and career goals and your training/project appropriateness to the HAESF mission.
• Explain to your professors and employers the importance of the recommendation letters.
• Spend time putting your application materials together and making sure your application package is complete.
• Make sure your complete application package is received by the application deadline. Applications can be submitted in person or by mail. If you mail your application, please send it via priority (elsőbbség) mail.

Where can I find more information about HAESF?

All relevant information concerning eligibility requirements, the application process, deadlines, and downloadable application forms can be found on our website. If, after you have thoroughly read the website, you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our office.