The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) has signed letters of intent for university cooperation and outlined plans to expand its scholarship programme from 17 to 21 majors. Speaking after the signing, Governor Mihály Varga linked the broader eligibility to the financial sector’s growing need for data scientists, applied mathematicians and other specialists alongside economists.
The initial cooperation framework covers Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and Eötvös Loránd University. Seven research projects are being prepared under a previously announced allocation of HUF 120 million per semester. These include developing advanced economic models and creating a database to compare artificial intelligence models.
The University of Debrecen and the University of Pécs will join the three institutions in the renewed scholarship programme. From the spring semester, up to 88 master’s students could receive support for 10 months, with a budget of HUF 110 million per semester. The programme targets the top 3% of master’s students. University programmes are financed from MNB fine revenues, and cooperation agreements will be reviewed annually.