LUDOVIKA UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Ludovika Scholars Program

Call for Ludovika Scholars Program 2026

Ludovika Scholars Program Application

 

The Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS) welcomes applications from lecturers and researchers based in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Ludovika Scholars Program aims to provide LUPS members with the opportunity to engage with academics, researchers, and experts from Central and Eastern Europe, while enabling visiting lecturers to learn about the work of LUPS scholars and to foster stronger collaborations with their scientific partners.

In the framework of the Program the successful applicants shall spend a week at LUPS, delivering public lectures, participating in workshops and taking part in professional discussions organized by the host faculties or research institutes. This will facilitate closer cooperation with the lecturers’ home institutions and enable the exploration of opportunities for collaborative research and publications, as well as future joint or double-degree programs.

LUPS is the leading higher education institution in Hungary in its fields of study: its teaching and research portfolio are both highly ranked in the region of Central and Eastern Europe as well as recognized on the wider international stage. The original institution was founded in 1808, and since then the University has been transformed several times to become a modern, 21st century higher education institution. LUPS offers undergraduate and postgraduate study and research opportunities in the following fields, among others: political science, military science, information society, disaster management studies, cyber security, public administration, national security studies, international and European studies, law enforcement, strategic studies, water sciences, education and humanities (more details: Faculty of Public Governance and International Studies, Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training, Faculty of Law Enforcement, Faculty of Water Sciences,  Institute of Disaster Management, Eötvös József Research Centre.)

We invite applications from the following disciplines and thematic areas:

  • water diplomacy; water policies; integrated water management; water, environmental and sustainability sciences; water resources management; water security; water conflict management; hydraulic engineering; hydraulic modelling; flood and drought management; river management; climate change vulnerability and adaptation; climate resilience; hydrobiology; wetland conservation; conservation biology;
  • political science and public administration; comparative law; international economics; political science; public policy; international, regional and European studies; public diplomacy; international security studies;
  • political theory, comparative European political ideology; democracy and regime change in Central Europe; great power competition and geopolitical interests in Europe; impact of new technologies on democracy; digitalisation of the economy; industry 4.0; cybersecurity; European territorial cooperation; regulation of online platforms; Artificial Intelligence, applied catholic social doctrine;
  • military transportation; logistics; critical infrastructure protection; airborne systems; drone technologies; software-defined radio (SDR)-based systems; cyber-physical systems security; malicious code analysis; container and virtualization technologies; alternative reality (XR, VR, AR, MR) technologies; defence planning; operations planning; Clausewitz and 21st century warfare; deterrence and defence; resilience; operational art; multi-domain operations; hybrid warfare; Civilian control of armed forces; critical infrastructure defense; civil military relations and crisis management; national resilience challenges NATO EU differences; host nation support; drones in military logistics; NATOs new strategic concept; NATOs new host nation support concept; NATOs new force model; life cycle management; Russia Ukraine conflict logistics; interoperability experiences Russia Ukraine; renewable energy in military; social media impact on military warfare; social media use in military warfare; civilian resources in military operations; artificial intelligence in NATO logistics;
  • criminal law; criminal procedure law; criminal justice; criminology; forensic sciences and criminalistics; criminal psychology; cybercrime investigation; national security; tax and customs enforcement and financial investigation; private security; correctional studies; disaster management.

The successful applicants shall:

-          Spend the specified periods at LUPS, at one of its campuses (Budapest or Baja), during the course of 2026, either from April 20 to 24 or from October 12 to 16, 2026, as determined by the University;

-          Deliver public lectures and workshops in English, and actively participate in the academic and public life of LUPS;

-          Consult with the host faculty and students of LUPS;

-          Sign a contract acknowledging and accepting the terms and conditions of the Program.

Successful applicants are entitled to:

-          Have their travel, accommodation, and daily meal expenses (breakfast and lunch) arranged and covered by LUPS;

-          Receive a net honorarium of €1,000.

Application criteria:

-          Citizens of the following countries will have priority when applying to the Program: Republic of Albania, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Croatia, Czech Republic, Republic of Estonia, Georgia, Hellenic Republic, Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Latvia, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Poland, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Türkiye;

 

-          Proficiency in English at a high level (C1 or above);

-          Engagement in research or professional activities in a field relevant to the profile of the host institution (see above);

-          Teaching experience;

-          Holding academic or public positions.

 

In addition to a fully completed application form, the application must include:

-          a detailed curriculum vitae (including list of publications);

-          a detailed work plan (1.500 - 2.000 characters), with particular attention to public lecture(s) and workshop(s), or interest for future collaboration;

-          a cover letter with plans for professional networking and dissemination;

-          contact details of three referees (institution, position held, e-mail address, telephone number).

 

Deadline for submitting applications: January 20, 2026, at 9:00 CET.

Applicants will be formally notified of the University’s decision by the end of February 2026, via email.

Please upload your application materials here and send any questions to ludovika.scholars@uni-nke.hu.