Hungarian HEInnovate Trainers Workshop 2026: Fully Funded Training in Budapest

The HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 offers higher education professionals a fully funded opportunity to attend a two-day workshop in Budapest, Hungary, with free participation, travel and accommodation covered. Learn about eligibility, benefits, selection criteria, programme activities and the application deadline.

The HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 provides higher education professionals with an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education while building an international network of peers.

The programme includes a two-day in-person workshop in Budapest, Hungary, on 8–9 October 2026, together with a preparatory online meeting and a follow-up online session. Participation is free, while travel and accommodation are covered for selected participants.

However, applicants should note that the application process for this particular 2026 programme is closed. The published deadline was 30 June 2026.

HEInnovate is an initiative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture in partnership with the OECD.

The Train the Trainers Programme is designed to help professionals in higher education institutions understand and effectively use the HEInnovate tool, including its self-assessment resources and supporting materials.

The programme focuses on helping participants move beyond simply using the tool toward applying its findings strategically within their own institutions.

Selected participants will also have opportunities to exchange experiences with colleagues working in higher education institutions across different countries.

What Does the Programme Offer?

The 2026 programme will select 30 participants.

According to the official programme information, participants will have the opportunity to:

Deepen their understanding of the HEInnovate tool and supporting resources.
Explore the strategic potential of HEInnovate self-assessment results.
Learn how to apply the tool within their own higher education institution.
Exchange experiences and good practices with peers.
Prepare to organise HEInnovate workshops at their own institutions.
Promote innovation and entrepreneurship within their institutions.
Build an international network of professionals with similar interests.

This makes the programme particularly useful for higher education professionals who want to introduce or expand institutional approaches to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Fully Funded Benefits

One of the strongest features of the HEInnovate Trainers Workshop is that selected participants do not have to pay for participation.

The official announcement states that:

Registration and participation are free of charge.

In addition:

Travel costs are covered.

Accommodation costs are covered.

The programme therefore offers selected participants the opportunity to attend the Budapest workshop without paying the standard participation, travel or accommodation costs associated with the event.

Participants who complete the full programme cycle will also receive a certificate.

Programme Structure

The HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme consists of three connected stages.

Preparatory Online Meeting

The programme begins with an online preparatory session approximately one month before the main workshop.

This session helps participants prepare for the in-person training in Budapest.

Two-Day Budapest Workshop

The main training will take place on:

8–9 October 2026

The workshop begins at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, 8 October, allowing participants to arrive on the first day.

It concludes at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, 9 October, allowing participants to travel home after the event.

The venue is:

ELTE PPK Kazinczy utca
Budapest, Kazinczy u. 23–27
1075, Hungary

Follow-Up Online Session

A follow-up online session will take place approximately three months after the Budapest meeting.

Participants are expected to participate in the complete programme cycle to receive the certificate.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is aimed at professionals working at higher education institutions who are interested in learning how to use HEInnovate within their institution and with partners.

Previous experience with HEInnovate is preferred but not required.

Applicants should, however, demonstrate that they are in a position to use the knowledge and ideas gained through the programme within their institution.

The organisers particularly prioritised candidates who:

Have never previously participated in an HEInnovate Train the Trainers programme.
Are connected to one of the 65 European Universities Alliances.
Are based in an EU Member State.

The organisers also intended to maintain gender, geographical and institutional balance among participants.

Only One Participant Per Institution

An important condition for applicants is that there can be only one participant from each institution.

This means colleagues from the same university or higher education organisation should coordinate internally before submitting applications.

Applicants were also expected to explain clearly how they intended to use HEInnovate at their institution and support its long-term use.

This institutional implementation plan was therefore an important part of the selection process.

How Were Participants Selected?

Only 30 places were available, making the programme selective.

The organisers considered several factors when selecting participants, including institutional representation, geographical balance and the potential for the applicant to apply HEInnovate within their institution.

Priority was given to professionals who had not previously attended the Train the Trainers programme and candidates with connections to the European Universities Alliances.

Application Deadline

The published application deadline for the 2026 HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme was:

30 June 2026

Because the current date is September 2026, applications for the programme are closed.

The Budapest workshop itself is still scheduled for 8–9 October 2026, but the source does not indicate that late applications are being accepted.

Professionals interested in similar future HEInnovate training opportunities should monitor the official HEInnovate news and events pages for new calls.

Why This Training Opportunity Matters

The programme is particularly valuable for higher education professionals who are involved in institutional innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy or organisational development.

Rather than focusing solely on theoretical learning, HEInnovate’s Train the Trainers format is designed to help participants understand how to use an institutional self-assessment tool and translate its results into practical action.

Participants also benefit from international peer learning. Comparing experiences with colleagues from other institutions can help identify approaches that may be adapted to different higher education environments.

Who Would Benefit Most?

The programme would be particularly relevant to professionals whose responsibilities involve:

Higher education strategy: Staff involved in institutional planning and strategic development can explore how HEInnovate findings can support decision-making.

Innovation and entrepreneurship: Professionals promoting entrepreneurial education and innovation ecosystems can gain practical tools for institutional implementation.

Leadership and management: University leaders and managers can use the training to support organisational discussions around innovation.

Institutional development: Staff responsible for quality improvement, partnerships or institutional transformation may find the self-assessment and workshop approach particularly useful.

Key Dates

Application deadline: 30 June 2026
Preparatory online meeting: Approximately one month before the main workshop
Budapest workshop: 8–9 October 2026
Follow-up online session: Approximately three months after the Budapest workshop

Final Takeaway

The HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 in Budapest is a fully funded professional development opportunity for higher education professionals interested in institutional innovation and entrepreneurship.

The programme offers free participation, covered travel and accommodation, international networking, practical training and a certificate for participants who complete the full programme cycle.

The opportunity is highly targeted rather than a general scholarship. Applicants must work in higher education and should be prepared to explain how they will use HEInnovate within their institution.

For the 2026 programme, however, the application deadline of 30 June 2026 has passed. The safest approach for professionals who missed this cycle is to follow the official HEInnovate events and announcements for future Train the Trainers opportunities.

Strong SEO Keywords: HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026, HEInnovate Trainers Workshop 2026, Hungary fully funded workshop 2026, Budapest training programme 2026, HEInnovate scholarship, fully funded training in Hungary, higher education training opportunities, European higher education workshops, HEInnovate training, Train the Trainers programme Europe, Budapest fully funded workshop, European Commission higher education programme, OECD HEInnovate, higher education innovation training, entrepreneurship in higher education, free workshops in Hungary, international professional development opportunities, HEInnovate application deadline, HEInnovate eligibility, HEInnovate Budapest October 2026

APPLY NOW