Presidential Scholar Awards

Presidential Graduate Research Awards 

Established by former CEU Rector Michael Ignatieff and his wife Zsuzsanna Zsohar, the Presidential Scholars Fund supports four Presidential Graduate Research Awards of €1,000 annually for exceptional Master’s and Doctoral students whose research shows promise for the next generation. The Fund also awards two scholarships per year to incoming bachelor’s students demonstrating exceptional academic credentials and leadership promise. Bringing the graduate and undergraduate scholars together, the Rector will host an annual dinner for the Scholars and meet with them regularly throughout the year. 

Learn more about the Presidential Scholars Fund here:
https://www.ceu.edu/article/2020-01-16/presidential-scholars-fund-launched 

Presidential Awards for MA Students 

These awards are intended to recognize the achievements of exceptional students enrolled in the first year of a 2-year-MA program, encourage their academic excellence, and foster their leadership potential and community-oriented activities in line with the CEU mission. 

Two awards of €1,000 each will be given annually. 

Recipients of the award will become part of the community of Presidential Scholars and are expected to regularly interact with fellow awardees at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels in order to share experience, and attend Presidential Scholar gatherings hosted by CEU’s President and Rector. 

Eligibility 

  • GPA within the top 20 percent of the department’s 2-year MA program. 
  • Demonstrated leadership activity and potential 

Procedure 

Students may apply for the award or be nominated by faculty, staff, or peers. The application/nomination package includes: 

  • a copy of the transcript 
  • a CV 
  • a motivation/nomination letter that details the nature and merit of the applicant’s/nominee’s leadership activity 
  • proof of leadership activity (in case of nomination to be provided by the nominee), e.g. volunteer certificate, reference letter

Nominations are to be submitted electronically to Boroka Beni (benib@ceu.edu) by June 15, 2023 to be evaluated by the Presidential Scholar Committee. 

The awards are presented at the Opening Ceremony. 

Presidential Awards for PhD Students 

These awards are intended to recognize the achievements of exceptional doctoral students enrolled in the second year of a PhD program, encourage their academic excellence, and foster their leadership potential and community-oriented activities in line with the CEU mission. 

Two awards of €1,000 each will be given annually. 

Recipients of the award will become part of the community of Presidential Scholars and are expected to regularly interact with fellow awardees at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels in order to share experience, and attend Presidential Scholar gatherings hosted by CEU’s President and Rector. 

Eligibility 

  • GPA within the top 20 percent of doctoral students in the same cohort in the department. 
  • Exceptional leadership activity 

Procedure 

Students may apply for the award or be nominated by faculty, staff, or peers. The application/nomination package includes 

  • a copy of the transcript 
  • a CV 
  • a motivation/nomination letter that details the nature and merit of the applicant’s/nominee’s leadership activity 
  • proof of leadership activity, e.g. volunteer certificate, reference letter 
  • a support letter by the supervisor

Nominations are to be submitted electronically to Boroka Beni (benib@ceu.edu) by June 15, 2023 to be evaluated by the Presidential Scholar Committee. 

The awards are presented at the Opening Ceremony.