A further objective is to strengthen the domestic deep tech ecosystem and to increase the number and value of deep tech companies. Deep tech companies are understood to be enterprises that develop and bring to market products and technologies based on scientific or technical results (breakthroughs). The Call supports the further development of research results generated by Hungarian universities and research institutions through the professional involvement of business associations fully (100%) owned by these institutions (TTCs), and promotes their practical, technological, and societal utilisation, thereby contributing to the long-term growth of the Hungarian economy.

The programme further aims to:

• lay the groundwork for the operation of TTCs,
• support the professional and organisational advancement of existing TTCs,
• develop TTCs that play a key, hub-type role at both national and international levels.

In order to achieve the above objectives, three sub-programmes (A, B, C) have been established under this Call:

• Sub-programme “A”: Establishment and maintenance of core TTC activities
  The objective of this sub-programme is to establish and maintain the stable, operational, and marketable core activities of TTCs.
• Sub-programme “B”: Further development of TTCs
  The objective of this sub-programme is to further develop the knowledge transfer activities of existing TTCs.
• Sub-programme “C”: Development of activities at national level (building a hub-type ecosystem)
  The objective of this sub-programme is the development of the TTC project at national level. The development of additional technology transfer-supporting activities at existing TTCs (participating in the pilot project) that significantly increase the effectiveness of technology transfer activities in the country, by organising TTCs into a hub-based structure and developing services accessible to all TTCs.

Submission of proposals

To submit an application for funding, log in to the single access point entitled “Egységes Beléptető Felület” at www.palyazat.gov.hu and complete the online application form. The finalised application form must be submitted together with a duly signed (certified) statement verifying the electronic submission of the application, in line with the Application Guidelines.

Project proposals can be submitted (electronically) from the activation of the online application form until 12:00 CET, 16 April 2026.

Eligible applicants

Project proposals may only be submitted independently.

Legal persons may submit a project proposal under the Call as applicants, provided that they are wholly (100%) owned by a state-recognised higher education institution in Hungary or by a legal person with special status as specified in Section 2 of Act XCI of 2024 on the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network. Under this Call, only TTCs are eligible to submit project proposals.

A TTC that did not participate in the pilot TTC project launched by the National Innovation Agency (NIÜ) in 2023 may submit a project proposal exclusively under sub-programme “A”.

A TTC that participated in the pilot TTC project launched by the NIÜ in 2023 may submit a project proposal under all three sub-programmes. Where a TTC applies for the implementation of more than one sub-programme, it must submit a separate project proposal under each sub-programme.

Project proposals may be submitted exclusively by legal persons qualifying as TTCs that, according to the Hungarian classification of business units by legal form (GFO), operate in one of the following forms: 113 – limited liability company, 114 – company limited by shares (public or private company limited by shares), 572 – non-profit limited liability company, or 573 – non-profit private company limited by shares, and that, as part of their activities, engaged in the commercialisation of research results, technology transfer, and/or innovation advisory services.

Mandatory activities to be implemented under sub-programme “A”:

• Operation of a company responsible for technology and knowledge transfer,
• Assessment and review of institutional RDI capacities, as well as the establishment and operation of competency management to utilise these capacities,
• Continuous measurement and review of RDI capacities; operation of competency management for their utilisation; data supply towards the Technical Coordinator,
• Generation and incubation of innovation projects and preparation of Proof of Concept (PoC) projects,
• Building business development, investor, and industry relationships,
• Human resource development and professional training,
• Idea validation, market analysis, novelty search, and mapping of utilisation opportunities for technology, service, or product development,
• Commercialisation of RDI results: sale or other form of utilisation of intellectual works (e.g. through a licensing agreement),
• Management of the market utilisation of RDI results,
• Preparation of analyses and presentation materials required for external financing decisions of projects, and supporting preparation for the call.

Optional activities under sub-programme “A”:

• Activities supporting entry into international markets.

Mandatory activities to be implemented under sub-programme “B”:

• Activities that can result in a significantly higher level of operation for TTCs that participated in the pilot project; the expansion or deepening of the established activity portfolio with the aim of substantially enhancing the effectiveness achieved to date:
  • Presentation of the TTC’s professional activities and services to external stakeholders, increasing visibility at both national and international levels,
  • Involvement of international experts in the work of the TTC,
  • Development of project-specific analyses, risk maps, decision alternatives, and recommendations within the framework of IP strategic decision support,
  • Development of project portfolio management processes through the application of targeted supporting tools,
  • Development and operation of a new service to support technology transfer,
  • Development of quality assurance processes and measurement of client satisfaction,
  • Organisation of knowledge-sharing events.

Optional activities under sub-programme “B”:

• IT development.

Mandatory activities to be implemented under sub-programme “C”:

• IP management implemented at hub level,
• Market analysis,
• Go2Market activities, in particular: Market validation of business models, Spin-off management, Provision of test environments, Targeted matchmaking, Pitch/Marketing/Sales coaching,
• Commercialisation activities, in particular: Development of potential client lists specific to target markets, Tech scouting databases, Post-sales feedback and demand-driven product development roadmaps, Organisation of Innovation Days and Demo Days,
• Innovation stimulation, in particular: Organisation of spin-off workshops, Student hackathons, Preparation of innovation dashboards,
• Matchmaking, in particular: Innovation and investment coordination based on matchmaking, Development and operation of project-based resource pools, Support for the formation of investment-ready teams, Involvement of interim management and functional leadership capacities,
• Networked activities on foreign markets, in particular: Mapping of international regulatory and compliance requirements, Setting up standardisation and harmonisation partnerships, Regulatory intelligence and export barrier forecasting,
• Development of a national business development training programme, providing practical training aimed at fostering a new generation of innovation managers and business development professionals. 

Compulsory elective activities under sub-programme “C” (at least one activity must be implemented):

• IT development. Development of a nationally scalable digital solution (platform/software) to be shared by multiple TTCs, providing a unified framework for managing key processes. The purpose of such development is to standardise TTC processes, make case and task tracking more transparent, accelerate and render them measurable, while also ensuring nationwide comparability and providing decision support for management.
• Training development:
  1. development of an accredited programme,
  2. setting up a practical training infrastructure.

Additional important terms

• In addition to the mandatory communication activities, applicants must also make the following commitments:

Under Sub-programme “A” until the physical completion of the project:

• conducting a documented review of at least 5 projects per year,
• for at least 3 projects, achieving a minimum increase of 2 TRL levels during the project period with the support of the TTC’s innovation management,
• participating in the conclusion of at least 5 new institutional service agreements per year (either concluding them or acting as an intermediary for the institution),
• concluding cooperation agreements with at least 3 business partners,
• for at least 80% of the IP portfolio derived from RDI activities deemed exploitable by the committee/organisation designated under the by-laws of the higher education institution/HUN-REN, concluding licence contract between the higher education institution/HUN-REN and the TTC.
• concluding a cooperation agreement with the NIÜ if the TTC submitting the project proposal did not receive funding under the programme of code number 2024-2.1.3-POC and entitled “Proof of Concept”.

Under Sub-programme “B” until the physical completion of the project:

• developing at least 2 new services supporting technology transfer,
• participating in at least 3 international business appearances (trade fairs, pitch events, brokerage vents),
• concluding cooperation agreements with at least 3 international business partners,
• for at least 90% of the IP portfolio derived from RDI activities deemed exploitable by the committee/organisation designated under the by-laws of the higher education institution, concluding licence contract between the higher education institution and the TTC.
• presenting the TTC’s professional activities and services to external stakeholders at both national and international levels, using communication and marketing tools,
• organising at least 1 thematic knowledge-sharing workshop at the TTC to address, manage, and find solutions for problems, challenges, and risks arising in connection with the technology transfer-supporting activities being developed. Expected outcome: a risk and problem map, along with proposed solutions.

Under Sub-programme “C” until the physical completion of the project:

• The applicant undertakes that, during the implementation of the project, it will establish a TTC hub involving at least 4 business associations (4 from the higher education institution TTCs, the HUN-REN TTC, Bay Zoltán Applied Research Nonprofit Ltd., Jedlik Innováció Kft.), within which services will be developed and provided to the institutions connected to the hub, with their active and consensual participation (such as: IP assessment, support for international market entry, and joint project development).
• The applicant undertakes to bring an international development demand to the country, drawing on the necessary competencies from multiple institutions.
• The applicant also undertakes to:
  • assess the IP portfolio of the members and create a hub-level IP portfolio with the intention of utilisation
  • utilise at least 10 IPs from the hub-level IP portfolio (through licensing, supporting the establishment and development of spin-off companies via knowledge transfer), and involve investors in the further development of 10 IPs.
  • implement at least 5 international development projects with the involvement of at least 1 hub member.

Timeframe for project implementation: minimum 24 months, maximum 36 months.

Total budget and maximum amount of funding

Total available budget: HUF 6 billion, of which:

• Sub-programme “A”: HUF 4 billion
• Sub-programme “B”: HUF 1 billion
• Sub-programme “C”: HUF 1 billion

The Funder, or the NRDI Office acting on behalf of the Funder, reserves the right to deviate from this allocation based on the evaluation of the professional content of the submitted proposals.

Total expected number of funded projects: 15 to 25.

The amount of funding that may be applied for by project proposal is a minimum of HUF 150 million and a maximum of HUF 800 million in non-refundable funding.