Humanity has always observed and studied its surroundings. Today, we have access to methods that, just a few years ago, would have belonged to the realm of science fiction. We can now explore previously undetectable spectrums of the world using tools and techniques that were once completely unknown. Thanks to the HU-rizon Programme, initiated and funded by Hungary to support international research collaborations, there are two environmental research projects currently underway at the University of Szeged that take our ability to detect environmental hazards to the next level.

According to the 2025 programme strategy of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NRDI Fund), this year HUF 40 billion is available in the National Research Excellence Programme (NKKP) to support leading researchers and research projects. This is more than double the amount allocated a year earlier. In the first and second decision rounds of the NKKP Excellence sub-programme, an excellence-based research funding scheme, the Research Council of Hungary (KKT) awarded HUF 700 million to five outstanding researchers.

The groundbreaking research result of Pharmacoidea Kft., based in Szeged – a new diagnostic procedure for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease from blood – has been shortlisted at the Reuters Events Pharma Awards in the category “Most Valuable Scientific Breakthrough/Discovery”. Pharmacoidea’s outstanding research has been supported in several projects by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund and continues to receive support.

The XPAND Program, initiated by the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ), is designed to help Hungarian startups and SMEs enter international markets, connect with global investors, and expand their business networks.