The programme contributes to the growth of Hungary’s economy and competitiveness by strengthening the research excellence and innovation capacities of Hungarian research institutes, universities and enterprises and by facilitating the research and innovation cooperation with international partners. All programme components enhance the relations of the Hungarian research and innovation communities with leading RDI actors and networks in the European Research Area (ERA) and improve the alignment with ERA policy objectives.
The NRDI Office is involved in the project entitled “Research and Innovation Programme in Hungary” under the Second Swiss–Hungarian Cooperation Programme as Programme Operator: its tasks include the preparation and management of the programme and the publication of individual calls under the programme.
The National Managing Authority (NMA) is responsible for the domestic planning, coordination, and implementation of the entire programme, known as the Swiss Fund. The authority operates under the auspices of the National Development Centre.
Swiss funding: HUF 3.98 billion
National co-financing: HUF 700 million
In Hungary, taking into account national development needs and priorities, the Swiss Fund supports the following areas:
- vocational training;
- research and innovation (NRDI Office);
- financing micro-enterprises and SMEs;
- fight against human trafficking;
- energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;
- water and wastewater treatment;
- healthcare and social protection;
- minorities and socially disadvantaged groups.
As regards the “Research and Innovation Programme in Hungary”, four components (activities planned to be implemented from the funding, projects drafted in the application) were identified during the agreement period:
Component 1: This programme component aims to promote the integration of the Szeged-based ELI-ALPS Laser Research Institute into international networks, to promote it, and to attract researchers to conduct their research at this research institute.
Component 2: This programme component aims to improve the innovation capacity and international competitiveness of Hungarian SMEs by facilitating their participation in the EUROSTARS programme, improving the quality of services rendered to Hungarian EUROSTARS applicants by learning from Swiss best practices, and increasing the number of joint Hungarian-Swiss EUROSTARS projects. This program component provides opportunities to support EUROSTARS project preparation events, brokerage events, company missions, and mentoring programs.
Component 3: This programme component aims to increase Hungarian participation in international research infrastructures, expand scientific knowledge of Hungarian researchers, facilitate their integration into international networks, and to support their multidisciplinary scientific cooperation, in particular in research infrastructures of common interest to both Hungary and Switzerland.
Component 4: This programme component aims to establish long-term, sustainable research and innovation partnerships between Hungarian and Swiss partners, as well as other international partners (Polish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Romanian), with particular focus on encouraging joint participation in the Horizon Europe framework programme.
For further information, please, visit https://svajcialap.hu/en.