21.07.2026
HUN-REN and its research community continue to closely follow developments concerning the future of the organisation. It is clear from recent government communications that changes are expected to the current regulatory framework governing HUN-REN, including its legal status, governance model and operational arrangements, and potentially other aspects.
A press statement concerning the future of HUN-REN was published in recent days, calling on the leadership of HUN-REN to “cooperate in the implementation of HUN-REN’s transformation and not obstruct the establishment of a unified research network.” We wish to state unequivocally that the leadership of HUN-REN, as it has throughout this process, remains fully committed to cooperating in the transformation of HUN-REN and is in no way obstructing the establishment of a unified research network.
Over the past three months, the leadership of HUN-REN, together with its Governing Board and Supervisory Board, has written to the Government on several occasions to express its readiness to participate constructively in shaping the future of HUN-REN and to contribute with its expertise and experience to the process. We have also indicated our willingness to consider the Ministry’s proposals concerning the interim governance of the organisation until the transformation is completed, in accordance with the provisions of the current HUN-REN Act. We are open to support this transition. Although these letters have not received a substantive response, we have provided the Ministry with detailed written information on several occasions regarding HUN-REN’s organisational structure, its operations, the transformation process undertaken in recent years, the findings of the international institutional review, and the initiatives launched to support the research community and research institutes.
The future of the Hungarian Research Network ultimately rests with the Government, through its proposal to amend the HUN-REN Act, and ultimately with the National Assembly, through its approval of the amendment. The role of HUN-REN’s leadership is to contribute constructively to this process, not to obstruct it. As before, we remain fully committed to cooperation. At the same time, until the HUN-REN Act is amended, we have both the responsibility and the legal obligation to ensure the stable operation of the organisation in accordance with the legislation currently in force. This is not a matter of discretion, but a statutory duty.
We firmly believe that meaningful dialogue with HUN-REN’s leadership would be particularly valuable throughout the transformation process. HUN-REN’s distinctive legal status, its institutional independence from government, the need to maintain an effective governance model, its dual role in carrying out public responsibilities while operating successfully in the market, public funding for research and innovation, the strengths of the network model alongside the autonomy and independence of its individual research institutes, are all important considerations that merit careful reflection when shaping the future of HUN-REN.
Since the introduction of HUN-REN’s new organisational framework last October, a number of important initiatives have been launched that deserve to be continued. Significant progress has been achieved in both the funding of the research network and the remuneration of researchers. Direct funding for the network increased by 41% last year, is increasing by a further 25% this year compared with the previous year, and, under the current framework, is expected to rise by an additional 18% next year. This means that between 2024 and 2027 the network’s public funding will double, reaching HUF 100 billion. Researchers’ salaries increased by an average of 30% last year, with further increases continuing this year and opportunities for additional improvements in the years ahead. HUN-REN has consistently regarded the promotion of excellence and performance-based evaluation as central principles, an objective that has likewise been reaffirmed by the new Government.
HUN-REN has also made significant progress in strengthening its international institutional partnerships. New collaborations have been established with leading research organisations and universities around the world, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford, Cambridge Enterprise, Imperial College London, the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), ETH Zurich, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). These partnerships provide a strong foundation on which to build and should continue to be strengthened.
The leadership of HUN-REN remains fully committed to contributing its professional expertise and organisational experience to shaping the future of Hungary’s research network. We stand ready to cooperate in reviewing all relevant issues, including the future governance model of the research network, any interim governance arrangements, further strengthening the network-based approach while safeguarding the autonomy of research institutes, the role of research institute directors, linking funding more closely to performance, promoting excellence, further improving researchers’ career pathways and remuneration, enhancing research infrastructure, encouraging innovation, expanding the use of artificial intelligence in research, reviewing the research funding system, and strengthening the international competitiveness of Hungarian research.
Our overriding objective is to ensure that whatever new organisational model emerges serves the long-term interests of Hungarian research, its researchers and research institutions, and strengthens Hungary’s scientific future. Until then, our responsibility is to ensure that the HUN-REN network continues to operate in full accordance with the laws currently in force.
Prof. Dr. Balázs Gulyás
Professor, Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Académie Royale de Médicine de Belgique, Academia Europaea
President of HUN-REN and Chair of the HUN-REN Governing Board
