Within the framework of the Thematic Excellence Programme, 55 research themes of 26 universities and research institutions will receive around HUF 14.6 billion in funding altogether in 2019.

The programme aims to align research conditions to societal and economic challenges, to strengthen their R&D and innovation focus and increase the productivity of science.    

Seeking answers for challenges in “Innovation for the competitiveness”, “Science for the future” and “Prospects for the generations” areas, the programme highlights the following fields of research:

• Secure society and environment
  
• Industry and digitisation
  
• Health
  
• Culture and family
  

To assess research programmes submitted to the Thematic Excellence Programme, four dedicated committees were set up by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, with chairpersons and members invited by Minister Dr. László Palkovics.

Committee chairmen of the four fields of research:  

Dr. Péter Závodszky (Secure society and environment),

Dr. József Bokor (Industry and digitisation),

Dr. Béla Merkely (Health),

Dr. Miklós Maróth (Culture and family).

Having considered prior written expert reviews, the committees examined and assessed the research programmes submitted by the institutions then shaped their concerted proposal for decision.

Besides the programmes submitted by the institutions, the committees were provided with the reviews of the experts who had been assigned by the committee chairmen, and these were all considered when making proposals.

Subsequent to the committee sessions, the four chairmen came together in a separate meeting to finalise the proposals forwarded by the committees, and presented them to the Minister of Innovation and Technology via the NRDI Office.