The Special and Extension Programs of the Central European University (CEU) are a set of outreach opportunities for educators run through the support of the International Higher Education Support Program (HESP) of the Open Society Institute. The majority of the projects that the Special and Extension Programs manages are collaborative efforts set up with HESP to help fulfill CEU's mission.

The programs use the best resources at CEU to serve the region by attracting and developing the most qualified colleagues. It is the umbrella for activities including the Curriculum Resource Center, the Course Development Competition, the CEU-HESP Comparative History Project, the CEU Lecturers’ Mobility Program, the Visiting and Professorial Research Fellowships, and a number of special or pilot programs. Through these programs, CEU reaches out to approximately 1400 professors per year. By working to provide the best for the best, CEU gains access to a group of scholars and teachers who can enrich and diversify its life as a university, while building a network of institutional collegiality.

On a regular basis CEU professors meet visitors, host fellows, provide workshops, ensure quality control, and engage in a wider debate on these initiatives through the Special and Extension Programs Committee.