This text is a practical, easy-to-understand guide on how Hungarian institutions can join consortia and implement tasks in Horizon Europe while the Council Decision 2022/2506 is in effect.

• All Hungarian entities - universities, research centres, companies, public authorities, professional organizations and others - are eligible to participate in the Horizon Europe framework programme.
• The Council Implementing Decision 2022/2056 - which concerns 21 excellent Hungarian universities with massive track record in successful European cooperation - came into force on December 16, 2022. According to the decision these universities cannot receive direct EU funding, however, DG Research and Innovation confirmed that these universities are still eligible to apply, and the proposals they are participating in will continue to be admissible and will be evaluated as all the other proposals.
• Similarly to the Swiss modell, these universities can participate in the consortia as Associated Partners. The Hungarian partner’s budget will not count towards the requested EU contribution, as it will be financed by the Hungarian Government’s Guarantee Fund. Therefore their consortium will experience neither obstacles, nor delay in implementing the project.
• The Government provides funding for the participation of these universities through the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, with a total budget of more than 12 million EUR. The amount of funding available for the Hungarian partner is equal to the amount of the partner's requested EU contribution to the winning Horizon Europe project. The NRDI Office will provide a 100% advance payment when disbursing the grant.
• It is also important to highlight that all other Hungarian entities, including universities, research organisations or public institutions are not affected by the Council Decision they can participate as beneficiaries and receive funding from Horizon Europe, just like any other institution of any EU Member State.

This informaton is fully in line with the European Commission’s interpretation on the implementation of the Council Decision as available on the Funding and Tenders Portal. Please do not hesitate to contact Péter Szilvási Legal and Financial NCP if you have any questions, we would be glad to provide further information.

We are looking forward to cooperating with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do Hungarian entities participate in the Horizon Europe proposals? / Are Hungarian entities excluded from Horizon Europe participation?

All Hungarian entities - universities, research centres, companies, public authorities, professional organizations and others - are eligible to participate in the Horizon Europe framework programme.

According to Council Implementing Decision 2022/2056 the entities maintained by public interest trusts, 21 excellent Hungarian universities cannot receive direct EU funding, however, these entities are eligible to join consortia and apply, and the proposals they are participating in will continue to be admissible and will be evaluated as all the other proposals.

All other entities can continue participating as beneficiaries and receive EU-funding.

2. Are consortia with Hungarian entities negatively affected during evaluation?

The evaluation process of Horizon Europe proposals as conducted by the Research Evaluation Agency is based solely on excellence, no other factors are considered.

3. Are all Hungarian entities affected by the Council Implementing Decision 2022/2506?

It is important to note that all Hungarian entities - universities, research centres, companies, public authorities, professional organizations and others - are eligible to participate in the Horizon Europe framework programme. The entities maintained by public interest trusts can participate without receiving direct EU funding – as the Swiss entities –, all other entities are eligible to participate as beneficiaries and receive funding.

4. Are there any national co-funding mechanisms set up to support legal entities established in Hungary for their participation in Horizon Europe actions?

Yes. The Hungarian Government provides funding for the participation of these universities through the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, with a total budget of more than 12 million EUR. The amount of funding available for the Hungarian partner is equal to the amount of the partner's requested EU contribution to the winning Horizon Europe project. The NRDI Office will provide a 100% advance payment when disbursing the grant.

5. We would like to work with great researchers from a modell-changing university. How can we add them to our consortium?

Similarly to a Swiss partner: add the university on the Funding and Tenders Portal as an associated partner. The Hungarian partner’s budget will not count towards the requested EU contribution, as it will be financed by the Hungarian Government’s Guarantee Fund.