The scheme is open to applicants who have achieved internationally recognised scientific excellence over the past ten years and whose research plan suggests that they will be able to continue to do so in the period to come. This is why the application criteria emphasise the results achieved at previous international competitions, in particular those of the European Research Council (ERC).

“We are working to put Hungary at the forefront of science, technology and innovation in Europe by 2030. One of the important tools for this is the Frontline programme, which offers funding to Hungarian and foreign researchers to carry out their high-quality basic research projects, promising scientific breakthrough, in Hungarian research institutions”, said the Deputy Minister.

Compared to last year’s call, the amount of funding available has significantly increased. Researchers can now apply for HUF 70 million per year instead of the previous HUF 60 million, which means a maximum of HUF 350 million funding over 5 years. This outstanding domestic funding is intended to help the winners achieve further recognition and significant international success in the foreseeable future.

“Since 2018, we have launched the Frontline Programme four times, with 40 ongoing projects currently receiving funding. The winners so far represent a wide range of disciplines, from mathematics, neuroscience and physics to ecology, astronomy and linguistics. There is no thematic restriction in this year’s call either, as the experience of the past years shows that any basic research topic can have a chance of success”, Tamás Schanda added.

The Call can be found here.

Budapest, 1 March 2022
Ministry for Innovation and Technology