The Hungarian HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 is now accepting applications from higher education professionals who want to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship within their institutions. Organized as part of the European HEInnovate initiative, the programme offers selected participants a fully funded opportunity to attend a two-day international workshop in Budapest, Hungary, while benefiting from travel, accommodation, and participation costs covered by the organizers.
Designed for professionals involved in university leadership, innovation management, entrepreneurship, quality assurance, and strategic planning, the programme helps participants learn how to implement the HEInnovate self-assessment framework and drive institutional transformation.
The application deadline for the programme is 30 June 2026.
HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 Overview
- Host Country: Hungary
- Workshop Location: Budapest
- Programme: HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026
- Funding Type: Fully Funded Professional Development Programme
- Workshop Dates: 8–9 October 2026
- Programme Format: Online Preparation, In-Person Workshop, and Online Follow-up
- Number of Participants: 30
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026
Programme Level
The HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme is a professional development and capacity-building programme. It is not an academic degree or scholarship programme but is intended for professionals working in higher education institutions.
Relevant Subjects and Professional Areas
The programme is particularly suitable for professionals involved in:
- Higher Education Management
- Innovation Management
- Entrepreneurship Education
- University Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Quality Assurance
- Institutional Development
- Internationalisation
- Educational Policy
- Knowledge Transfer
- Organizational Change Management
- Academic Administration
- Research Management
Eligible Nationality
The programme welcomes applications from higher education professionals worldwide. However, selection preference may be given to:
- Applicants from European Union member states
- Staff associated with one of the 65 European Universities Alliances
- Candidates who have not previously attended a HEInnovate Train the Trainers workshop
Organizers also consider gender balance and geographical diversity during the selection process.
Programme Benefits
Selected participants will receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:
- Free programme registration
- Full participation in all training activities
- Fully funded international travel expenses
- Fully funded accommodation during the Budapest workshop
- Access to HEInnovate training materials and resources
- Participation in preparatory and follow-up online sessions
- International networking opportunities with higher education professionals
- Practical guidance on implementing HEInnovate within their institutions
- Opportunity to build expertise in institutional innovation and entrepreneurship
Why Participate in the HEInnovate Programme?
HEInnovate has become one of Europe's leading frameworks for helping universities evaluate and improve their innovation capacity.
The Train the Trainers Programme equips participants with practical skills to:
- Facilitate institutional self-assessment exercises
- Interpret HEInnovate evaluation results
- Promote entrepreneurship within universities
- Support leadership teams in strategic planning
- Drive organizational change and innovation initiatives
- Strengthen collaboration between universities and industry
Graduates of the programme are expected to act as internal champions who help integrate innovation-focused practices across their institutions.
Training Structure
The programme consists of three integrated phases:
Phase 1: Online Preparatory Session
Participants attend an introductory online meeting approximately one month before the workshop.
Phase 2: In-Person Workshop in Budapest
The main training takes place on 8–9 October 2026 in Budapest, Hungary, featuring practical exercises, collaborative learning, and networking opportunities.
Phase 3: Online Follow-up Session
Approximately three months after the workshop, participants join a follow-up meeting to discuss implementation progress and share experiences.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Be employed at a higher education institution.
- Hold a professional role related to innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy, or institutional development.
- Demonstrate an interest in applying HEInnovate within their institution.
- Be available to participate in all three programme phases.
- Complete the official application form before the deadline.
While previous experience with HEInnovate is beneficial, it is not mandatory.
Because participation is limited, only one participant per institution can be selected.
Application Process
Step 1: Complete the Official Registration Form
Submit the online application through the designated programme portal before the deadline.
Step 2: Provide Professional Information
Include details about your current role, institutional responsibilities, and experience relevant to higher education innovation.
Step 3: Explain Your Motivation
Describe your interest in using HEInnovate and how you plan to apply the framework within your institution.
Step 4: Selection Process
Applications are reviewed based on:
- Professional role and institutional relevance
- Motivation to implement HEInnovate
- Potential institutional impact
- Geographic and gender balance
- Previous participation status
Step 5: Participate in the Programme
Selected participants will join the online preparation session, attend the workshop in Budapest, and complete the follow-up activities.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Hungarian HEInnovate Train the Trainers Programme 2026 is:
30 June 2026
Interested professionals are encouraged to submit their applications early, as only 30 places are available.
Official Call: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/HEInnovateTtTSession
