The Eötvös Loránd Research Network Secretariat (ELKH) launched the Proof of Concept Program in 2021 with the aim of exploring the commercial and/ or societal potential of the research findings generated within the network.. In the third call announced in 2023 seven winning projects have been selected, with funding totaling over HUF 200 million.
ELKH President Balázs Gulyás considers it a priority to evaluate researchers' scientific merit not solely based on publication numbers and citations, but also on bringing concrete benefits to the industry and society in Hungary. The ELKH Secretariat's "Proof of Concept" Program is designed to facilitate the promotion of this shift in perspective.
This third call for proposals attracted 48 eligible applications submitted by 11 ELKH research institutions applying for approximately HUF 1.2 billion of funding, which is nearly six times the available HUF 200 million budget.
The updated evaluation process was conducted by independent experts from the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office, alongside members of the ELKH Scientific Council and additional professional assessors. Based on the independent professional evaluations, seven winning projects were awarded, totalling HUF 203,332,242 in support, reimbursed at a funding rate of 100%.
Projects awarded funding under the ELKH-PoC-2023 call for proposals:
