Think Visegrad Opens 2026 Fellowship Applications for Non-V4 Researchers

Think Visegrad has opened applications for its 2026 visiting fellowship programme for researchers and experts from non-Visegrad countries.

The fellowship programme offers selected participants the opportunity to conduct research and collaborate with leading think tanks across the Visegrad Group countries which include the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

According to the organisers, eight visiting fellowships will be awarded for the Summer, Autumn, and Winter sessions of 2026.

The Think Visegrad platform was established in 2012 by eight think tanks within the Visegrad region to support structured dialogue on important regional and international policy issues. The initiative is funded by the International Visegrad Fund.

What selected fellows will receive

Each selected fellow will spend up to eight weeks at one of the participating think tanks.

During the fellowship period, fellows are expected to:

• Participate in activities organised by the host institution
• Develop a policy paper on an agreed topic
• Deliver one public presentation

Successful applicants will receive a lump sum of €3,400 to cover accommodation, transportation, and other expenses during the fellowship period.

The programme will also cover international travel expenses up to €500.

However, fellows will be personally responsible for taxes, insurance, and related fees from the provided grant.

Research areas

The fellowship is open to researchers working in areas including:

• Political science
• International relations
• Economics

Applicants are encouraged to choose research topics that align with the focus areas of their preferred host institution.

The organisers advised applicants to review the websites and research priorities of the participating think tanks before submitting applications.

Who can apply

The fellowship is only open to expert fellows from countries outside the Visegrad Group.

According to the organisers, preference will be given to applicants with strong professional and academic records in their respective fields.

However, junior and mid-career researchers with high-quality project proposals are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants who previously participated in the Think Visegrad Fellowship programme are not eligible to apply again.

Fellowship duration

The programme will last between six and eight weeks.

At least four weeks of the fellowship must be completed physically at the host institution, depending on the agreement reached with the host organisation.

Participating host institutions

Selected fellows will be hosted by one of the participating think tanks across the four Visegrad countries.

Czech Republic

• EUROPEUM – Institute for European Policy
• Institute of International Relations (IIR)

Hungary

• Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA)
• Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy (CEID)

Poland

• Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW)
• The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)

Slovakia

• Research Center of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association (RC SFPA)
• Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS)

Each institution will host one visiting fellow during the programme.

Application requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Structured CV including publication list
• Motivation letter not exceeding 300 words

The organisers stated that all documents must be submitted separately in PDF format.

Applications should be sent via email to thinktank@sfpa.sk.

Application deadline

The deadline for submission of applications is May 15, 2026.

Interested applicants can find more information and access the application form through the official Think Visegrad platform website.