Budapest, 23 December 2024 – The strategic goal of the development of the Hungarian research and innovation ecosystem is to ensure that the results of as many research activities carried out in Hungarian universities and research institutes as possible yield new products, technologies and services which address relevant societal challenges and provide significant economic benefits.

Universities and research institutions have a key role to play in strengthening Hungary’s economic competitiveness, said László Bódis, Deputy Secretary of State for Innovation of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation at a press conference on Thursday in Budapest.

30 projects will be implemented from HUF 12 billion under the Hu-rizon Programme, told the minster responsible for culture and innovation to journalists on Saturday in Debrecen.

Hungarian universities and research institutes accumulate a wealth of knowledge, experience, and original ideas, yet only a small portion is transformed into marketable, high value-added products or services that benefit their inventors, the universities, the Hungarian economy, and ultimately the Hungarian people. With the Fast Track programme, the Hungarian government aims to give a boost to scientists and researchers to further develop their innovative results and bring them to market.

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office is launching a new call for proposals to support Hungarian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in their innovation efforts. Under the HUF 2.5 billion call titled “Development of applied research and innovation services”, businesses can make use of a wide range of RDI services through the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ) and the Bay Zoltán Research Centre, with a significant discount through the innovation voucher. The services support the successful implementation of R&D activities, business planning and the rapid commercialisation of ideas/products, thus contributing to the creation of new products, services and technologies that make everyday life easier.

Levente and AI masters courses are coming
Next year, the country’s first masters courses in Artificial Intelligence will be launched in the country’s universities specialising in computer science, with a harmonised curriculum and requirements system, announced Charaf Hassan, the rector of BME, at a conference on 24 September. The central theme of the event, organised by the Hungarian Project Management Association and the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, was the relationship between public administration and AI. The event also discussed the expected capabilities of the Levente supercomputer.

Budapest, 31 July 2024 – Evaluation of the professional content of project proposals to the 2023 Fast Track Call closed The National Research, Development and Innovation Office is offering non- refundable funding of up to HUF 300 million per project for the development of products, technologies or services with significant scientific or technical novelty. Projects shortlisted for funding include promising innovations that offer promising solutions to many of today’s major challenges, such as understanding the ageing process, treating infections or improving public safety.

Budapest, 05 July 2024 – Despite the numerous unfounded and untrue allegations that have surfaced in recent weeks about the National Research Excellence Programme (NREP), renewed by the Research Council of Hungary (RCH), figures show that the malicious criticism has not shaken the confidence of Hungarian researchers: nearly 1,400 proposals have been submitted, with an unprecedented HUF 126 billion in funding requests.

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDI Office) has announced a new HUF 8 billion call to support the launch of international research projects led by excellent Hungarian research teams and involving the world’s top universities and research institutes focusing on solving social and economic challenges of importance to Hungary and worldwide.

The OTKA programme, which has been supporting Hungarian scientific research for almost four decades, continues from 2024 under the name of the National Research Excellence Programme (NKKP), renewed in line with the highest international standards. For this purpose, following last year’s allocation of HUF 13.5 billion, this year a significantly increased grant fund of HUF 19 billion is available, which exceeds the previous amount by over 40%. The distribution of these funds will be decided by the newly established Research Council of Hungary, led by Hungarian Nobel laureate physicist Ferenc Krausz, based on the recommendations of international professional evaluation committees. The primary aim of the renewal of the programme is to produce significantly more domestic scientific research results that are outstanding by international standards and have a significant social and intellectual impact.

Budapest, Wednesday, 28 September 2022 (MTI) – Hungary has come even closer to the EU average in the field of research, development and innovation this year.