Program for International Projects Led by Hungarian Institutions Unveiled
The Hungarian government has launched the HU-rizont program, which aims to support international research projects led by Hungarian workshops in collaboration with top universities and research institutes worldwide. Balázs Hankó, the State Secretary for Innovation and Higher Education, announced that the program will receive HUF 8 billion (EUR 20.5 million) in funding.
The initiative comes in response to a decision by the European Commission to exclude researchers from model-changed Hungarian institutions from the Horizon Program, impacting Europe’s competitiveness. The HU-rizont program is designed to promote international cooperation among Hungarian researchers and provide opportunities for young researchers and research groups from model-changed universities.
Under the program, Hungarian researchers can collaborate with leading universities in key areas such as healthy lifestyles, green transition, and digitization. The costs of researchers from partner universities will also be covered, ensuring a supportive environment for collaborative research. Foreign research centers and researchers can participate in the program based on excellence, but the leadership of international consortia will remain with Hungarian higher education institutions.
Funding from the National Research, Development, and Innovation Fund will cover the entire budget of research and development projects, with a maximum grant amount of HUF 400 million (EUR 1 million) per project. Hungarian university research teams have the opportunity to choose from nine thematic areas within the program and develop innovative concepts with their global colleagues.
Applications for the HU-rizont Program are open from May 3 to July 5, 2024, with the aim of fostering strategic international partnerships and preparing Hungarian researchers for large-scale international projects. The program seeks to enhance the competitiveness of Hungarian researchers and contribute to the country’s scientific and technological advancements.
