Researchers’ Salaries to Rise by an Average of 30 Per Cent This Year

‘A historic pay rise for Hungarian researchers is on the way,’ said Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, at the press conference. He explained that, as a first step, researchers’ salaries will rise by an average of 30 per cent this year. The average salary will reach HUF 800,000 gross per month, meaning a researcher can earn HUF 3.2 million more per year. The pay adjustment will continue over the next two years, so that by 2027 salaries in the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network will reach Western European levels in the comparable sector.

Balázs Hankó also announced that the Government will provide HUF 18 billion to HUN-REN this year and again next year. In addition to the pay rise, HUN-REN intends to allocate a significant share of these funds to the expansion of capacity.

He recalled that, to achieve this goal, the organisation first underwent a comprehensive international review of its organisational structure, finances, assets and innovation activities. On this basis, a strategy was developed to enable HUN-REN to be among Europe’s leading research networks by the end of the decade.

He emphasised that, in the future, it will be worthwhile to work in Hungary as a researcher or in a research support role, and that it will also be worthwhile for foreign researchers to apply for Hungarian research grants and for research positions opening at HUN-REN.

As part of the strategy, the Government will double HUN-REN’s current level of funding by 2027, with a significant share of the additional funds to be allocated to pay rises and the expansion of capacity. This will enable HUN-REN to retain its excellent researchers while recruiting further specialists.

Balázs Gulyás also noted that HUN-REN could become more attractive for international partnerships and major international grant programmes. This, in turn, could help ensure that the organisation does not rely solely on Government funding in the future. In addition to international grants, partnerships with industry and patents will also significantly strengthen HUN-REN’s budgetary position.

The President specifically noted that staff across the research network will receive a lump-sum back payment in the second half of September, covering the difference between their previous and increased salaries for the period January–August. From the beginning of October, staff across the network will be paid at the increased rates.