Project acronym: AI4SecWallets
Coordinator: University of Szeged
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 488 381
Project title: AI-based validation framework for SECured digital identity Wallets
Focus area: Digital transformation of the economy and society
International partners: University of Trento, University of Oslo

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In connection with the digital development of Europe, the European Union, already in 2014, set out the requirement for a framework ensuring the protection of online identity and personal data, including in cross-border digital transactions, and even against the most advanced quantum computing-based attacks Along the definition of these requirements and the implementation of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet), the development of the necessary solutions has already begun. The objective of this funded project is likewise to develop a system that enables the assessment of EUDI Wallets in terms of cybersecurity, quality, efficiency, and data protection. In this context, artificial intelligence methods are applied to identify potential vulnerabilities in the implementation, and new approaches are developed for more efficient encryption and for distributed, blockchain-based data management.

Project acronym: AITONOMY
Coordinator: Széchenyi István University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 400 000 000
Project title: Artificial intelligence-driven traffic optimization and intelligent battery management for interaction-aware autonomous mobility systems
Focus area: Green transition of the economy and the development of a circular economy
International partners: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Delft University of Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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The AITONOMY project aims to develop an integrated framework for the development, verification, and validation of autonomous, cooperative, and electric vehicles. The research focuses on safe, predictable, and socially acceptable autonomous mobility in complex urban environments, while optimizing energy efficiency and battery lifetime. The core innovation of the project is the simultaneous, multi-objective optimization of cooperative traffic safety and integrated energy management. The AI-based path-planning and decision-making algorithms under development not only focus on collision avoidance but also on predicting the movements of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The goal is to design manoeuvring strategies that ensure meaningful, safe, and comfortable operation even in the face of traffic and behavioural uncertainties. The model-based learning methods to be applied – particularly model-based deep reinforcement learning – support adaptability and generalization. Energy management is integrated into vehicle dynamics control: during the optimisation acceleration, braking, and evasive manoeuvres, the system considers cell-level load peaks and long-term battery degradation risks. As a result, traffic safety and energy efficiency considerations are addressed within a single decision-making framework rather than as separate objectives. Results are validated using AI-based, event-driven testing methods within a demonstration system that bridges simulation and real-world environments, adapted to the ZalaZONE test track. The project contributes to the development of sustainable and smart mobility systems, strengthens domestic R&D capacities, and supports the advancement of competitive AI-based transportation technologies.

Project acronym: CRUTCHES
Coordinator: University of Szeged
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 174 676
Project title: CO2 reduction with tailor-designed cathodes
Focus area: Green transition of the economy and the development of a circular economy
International partners: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, EPFL

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The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is a promising technology for the production of important industrial raw materials, including carbon monoxide. By using a greenhouse gas as a raw material, this technology can also help reduce local emissions, and its energy demand can potentially be met directly from renewable energy sources. For this reason, numerous research groups worldwide are working on optimising the process, which has now also attracted the interest of industrial stakeholders. At present, practical application is still limited by the fact that process stability allows continuous operation for only a few thousand hours. By studying the effect of cathode structure on process stability, this project aims to develop electrodes that may significantly extend operational lifetime while maintaining industrially relevant current densities and adequate energy efficiency.

Project acronym: DATaK
Coordinator: Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education,
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 100 000 000
Project title: Supporting the Digital Transition in Transcarpathia through the Adoption of EU Best Practices
Focus area: Digital transformation of the economy and society
International partners: University of Debrecen, University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik

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The aim of the project is to stimulate and strengthen the digital transition in the Transcarpathian region by adapting best practices already successfully implemented in EU Member States. The initiative is built on three strategic pillars that specifically support the digital development of borderland areas in Transcarpathia, the modernization of local enterprises, and the conscious and safe digital presence of young people living in the region. First, a mobile and web-based application system will be developed to support digital advancement of small borderland municipalities. Second, local enterprises will be supported through the establishment of a digitally incubator platform and third, training and mentoring programs will prepare young people not only to be consumers but also conscious and active contributors in the digital space. This project contributes to the digital integration of Transcarpathia, strengthens cross-border cooperation, and supports social cohesion and economic stability.

Project acronym: HAI-SO
Coordinator: Semmelweis University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 328 104
Project title: Health AI-Driven System Optimization
Focus area: Digital transformation of the economy and society
International partners: Northeastern University, Harvard University, Prague University of Economics and Business

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The project aims to apply artificial intelligence and data-driven methodologies to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems and hospital operations. The research may contribute to making healthcare more efficient and transparent, while enabling patients to access higher-quality care more quickly. In this context, leveraging Hungary's advanced eHealth infrastructure (Electronic Healthcare Service Space - EESZT, National Health Insurance Fund Manager - NEAK, hospital information systems), large-scale health data are integrated with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methods developed by leading international academic partners. In addition to Harvard Kennedy School, Northeastern University, and Semmelweis University, the Prague University of Economics and Business also participates in the implementation of pilot studies. In the long term, the aim is to develop a scalable model which – within an appropriate public policy framework, with stakeholder involvement and supported by international comparison – enables the further integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare systems.

Project acronym: HEMvascALERT
Coordinator: University of Debrecen
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 884 384
Project title: Extracellular hemoglobin as a danger signal driving vascular disease: Mechanisms of cellular adaptation and injury in advanced atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and calcific aortic valve disease.
Focus area: Supporting preventive, therapeutic and care services that contribute to maintaining a healthy life
International partners: Johns Hopkins University Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering Hannover Medical School, University Of Alabama at Birmingham

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Mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases rose globally from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million by 2021, making them the leading cause of death worldwide. The primary objective of this project is to identify molecular mechanisms that may serve as potential targets for preventive or therapeutic intervention. The research will employ state-of-the-art methods to study cells and tissues samples from human arteries and heart valves, as well as genetically modified mouse models that reflect human diseases. The aim is to identify, at the molecular level, the pathological processes underlying vascular and valvular calcification, as well as the abnormal dilation of the abdominal aorta (aneurysm), and to understand the regulatory pathways driving tissue remodelling. All of this is crucial for reducing the incidence of vascular diseases and their associated complications.

Project acronym: HORIZON-X
Coordinator: Óbuda University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 389 333 959
Project title: New Horizons in Transatlantic Space Innovation: Advancing Sustainable Robotic and Human-centric Systems for Near-Earth and Cislunar Exploration
Focus area: Digital transformation of the economy and society
International partners: Rice University, Sapientia University

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The project, implemented in cooperation between Óbuda University (Hungary), Rice University (USA), and Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania (Romania), aims to explore the space between the Earth and the Moon through the development of advanced and sustainable space technologies. By combining expertise in robotics, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, digital twin-based modelling, and space sustainability, the partners develop innovative solutions that demonstrably enhance the success and efficiency of future robotic and human space missions. These include technologies and space assets such as autonomous lunar rovers, intelligent suits that monitor and adapt to astronauts’ conditions, digital models that virtually replicate space infrastructure, as well as the development of space sustainability and space economy frameworks. These developments may significantly contribute to strengthening Hungary’s global competitiveness in space research.

Project acronym: Hot-Rock and Metal
Coordinator: University of Miskolc
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 884 062
Project title: Unlocking Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) and Geothermal Energy in the Pannonian Basin
Focus area: Green transition of the economy and the development of a circular economy
International partners: Sapienza University of Rome, Technical University of Kosice, Montanuniversitaet Leoben

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Owing to its outstanding geothermal potential, the Pannonian Basin is one of the most geologically complex and promising regions in Europe. It is well known that deep geothermal fluids may contain significant amounts of dissolved minerals, some of which are classified as critical raw materials. These materials – such as lithium, rare earth elements, and antimony – are essential for the green transition, modern technologies, and the economy as a whole; however, their availability and production in Europe fall far short of market demand. The project focuses on studying the co-occurrence of critical raw materials and geothermal energy, as well as exploring opportunities for their sustainable and environmentally friendly exploitation.

Project acronym: IMPRESS
Coordinator: University of Szeged
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 943 287
Project title: Immunology and new treatment options for resistant psoriasis
Focus area: Supporting preventive, therapeutic and care services that contribute to maintaining a healthy life
International partners: University of Uppsala, Servei de Teràpia Cellular, Banc de Sangi Teixits

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Psoriasis is chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2–3% of the global population. Although modern biological therapies effectively reduce inflammation, 20–30% of patients experience therapy-resistant, stubborn plaques, mainly on the limbs, scalp, and flexural areas. Despite the significant quality of life impairment and the psychological burden associated with this condition, there are still no specific treatment options available. The project aims to achieve a breakthrough in treatment options by identifying the local, skin-specific mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance and by developing a novel therapeutic approach. The study will analyse gene expression patterns in healed, active, and resistant psoriatic lesions, and will identify cell populations involved in resistance at single-cell resolution using RNA sequencing. Based on the insights gained, immunomodulatory properties will be optimized, followed by clinical evaluation of the treatment in patients with therapy-resistant psoriasis. The project is led by University of Szeged, with the participation of Uppsala University and STC/BST in Barcelona.

Project acronym: INGREXPRO
Coordinator: University of Veterinary Medicine
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 893 558
Project title: Ingredient profile development for product-specific extrusion of alternative proteins
Focus area: Green transition of the economy and the development of a circular economy
International partners: Boku University, Purdue University

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The sustainable transformation of protein consumption is essential to meet global food security and environmental goals. In addition to traditional animal-based foods, there is growing interest in plant-based processed products, which offer opportunities for more efficient utilization of plant byproducts in line with the principles of the circular economy. Extrusion is an already established technology in the production of plant-based foods; however, challenges remain in raw material utilization, scale-up, and, in particular, in the consumer quality of the final products. The project aims to address these challenges by developing new high-protein products that integrate locally available, previously underutilised raw materials (e.g., oilseed press cakes, grain legumes and fibre-rich side streams) with conventional protein isolates (e.g., pea protein). The research will examine the physicochemical and techno-functional potential of the raw materials, with special attention to protein composition, anti-nutritional factors that reduce protein bioavailability, and pre-processing characteristics. In the second phase, culinary and sensory optimization, as well as shelf-life analysis will be performed. This approach reduces the carbon footprint of the final product and contributes to strengthening circular food systems. The project is conducted under the leadership of the University of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with international partners. Consortium members include BOKU University in Vienna, which is involved in the engineering design and conducts pilot- and industrial-scale experiments. Another consortium partner is Purdue University in the United Sates, contributing to the development of the product’s nutritional profile, drawing on the work of experts who are conducting pioneering research – often at the cutting edge of nutritional science – on the effects of plant-based formulations on the gut microbiome

Project acronym: INNOBRAIN
Coordinator: Semmelweis University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 594 850
Project title: Innovating Healthy Brain Ageing: A Translational Strategy to Combat Vascular Cognitive Impairment in an Ageing Society
Focus area: Supporting preventive, therapeutic and care services that contribute to maintaining a healthy life
International partners: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University College London, Jagellonian University

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Led by Semmelweis University and implemented in a consortium in collaboration with new European partner institutions, the project aims to study vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, and to develop innovative therapeutic approaches. As part of this, complex diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the disease are being further developed, with a coordinated integration of preclinical and clinical research The collaboration creates an interdisciplinary platform that integrates expertise from multiple scientific fields in order to achieve a better understanding of vascular cognitive impairment. Each participating institution contributes specialised expertise to the project, thereby enhancing its overall efficiency and impact. Hungarian PhD students and postdoctoral researchers will also be involved in the research, getting the opportunity to actively engage in international collaboration and learn the latest research methods. The expansion of the consortium not only increases our research capacity but also contributes to maximizing the social and economic impact of our scientific results, facilitating more effective management of health challenges in Hungarian and international communities."

Project acronym: ISBC-SF
Coordinator: Pannon University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 399 635 386
Project title: Innovative Synergy of Bio- and Chemocatalysis for a Sustainable Future
Focus area: Green transition of the economy and the development of a circular economy
International partners: Yale University, Max Planck Institute

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Advanced consumer societies – such as Europe, including Hungary – generate millions of tons of organic waste annually, the current management of which is often either insufficiently efficient or places an excessive burden on the environment. The project seeks sustainable solutions to this challenge based on the principles of circular economy, aligning with the EU Green Deal directive and the objectives of Hungary’s National Waste Management Strategy. The participating partners – University of Pannonia, Yale University, and the Max Planck Institute – are engaging in world-class scientific collaboration. By combining biotechnological fermentation with chemical transformation, they aim to achieve breakthrough innovations in the production of bio-based, high value-added platform chemicals (i.e. valuable chemical intermediates) from carbon dioxide and other bio-based wastes. In line with sustainability considerations, biocatalytic processes will not only generate valuable platform chemicals; the carbon dioxide produced as a by-product will be captured and converted into useful materials, thereby bringing the carbon footprint of the catalytic processes close to zero. Thus, the project provides answers not only in scientific terms, but also from the perspectives of environmental protection and the economic efficiency of the chemical industry, addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.

Project acronym: LYMPHTREAT
Coordinator: Semmelweis University
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 400 000 000
Project title: Novel treatment strategies for diseases associated with lymphatic dysfunction
Focus area: Supporting preventive, therapeutic and care services that contribute to maintaining a healthy life
International partners: University of Pennsylvania, Medical University of Vienna

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Secondary lymphedema caused by tumour resection, radiation therapy, injury or infection is a chronic condition that impairs the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide. Current treatments primarily focus on alleviating symptoms, while causal therapies are not yet available; therefore, a deeper understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms is of paramount importance. In recent years, regenerative medicine and modern technologies based on genetic information have opened new perspectives in the field of targeted tissue regeneration. Research has demonstrated that certain growth factors are capable of stimulating lymphangiogenesis in animal models. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly clear that influencing a single signalling pathway is not sufficient to achieve effective therapies applicable in humans. Intercellular communication and the tissue microenvironment form a complex regulatory network with tightly interconnected interactions, which necessitates an integrated, multi-target approach. The project aims to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to lymphatic dysfunction, with particular emphasis on the complex regulatory system governing lymphangiogenesis and regeneration. The research draws on the studying of multiple interconnected signalling and microenvironmental processes and applies advanced technologies based on genetic information. The work is being carried out in international collaboration, in cooperation with experts from the University of Pennsylvania on the further development of mRNA-based therapeutic approaches, and with researchers from the Medical University of Vienna in the fields of surgical and experimental models. These comprehensive, multi-level trials may contribute to a deeper understanding of the disease pathogenesis and, in the long term, may lay the groundwork for the development of more effective and targeted treatment options for diseases associated with lymphatic dysfunction, thereby bridging the gap between translational research and clinical application.

Project acronym: Margin2Model
Coordinator: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Amount of awarded funds: HUF 394 178 495
Project title: From Margins to Models: A Platform for Culturally-Aware Generative AI in Low-Resource Languages
Focus area: Digital transformation of the economy and society
International partners: University of Lisbon, Utrecht University, Holon Institute of Technology

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Although we use artificial intelligence systems on a daily basis, few are aware of how underrepresented the Hungarian language and Hungary’s visual heritage are within these systems. Current generative AI tools are predominantly based on English-language, global datasets; therefore, Hungarian visual and linguistic characteristics are less accurately represented in these visual content generation systems. Without rapid intervention, the representation of Hungary’s rich visual heritage may become distorted in newly generated content produced by generative AI models shaping future knowledge, education, and visual culture. For this reason, the aim of the project is to develop a generative AI platform capable of producing culturally accurate images and videos based on ethically managed and professionally curated data. Coordinated by Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, and implemented in collaboration with international partners, including University of Lisbon, Utrecht University, and Holon Institute of Technology, the project develops a scalable model that may also be useful for countries and linguistic communities facing similar challenges.