Open Letter to All HUN-REN Employees

The renewal of HUN-REN is built on three key pillars: first, the independent legal status law adopted in December 2024, which provides a flexible operating environment; second, a research network that responsibly manages its own assets, including real estate; and third, a performance-based, long-term public task financing agreement that secures the organisation’s operational and development resources.

Since November 2024, the HUN-REN transformation team and staff have devoted considerable time and energy to ensuring the successful implementation of the transition set out in the HUN-REN Act. This has involved securing the conditions for the establishment of the new legal entity; the development of the financial, administrative, and employment-related legal processes; and the legal continuity and seamless operation of the research network. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all colleagues who contributed to this preparation — both at the research sites and at HUN-REN HQ (https://extranet.hun-ren.hu/hirek.aspx).

Regrettably, the renewal process has slowed down due to reasons beyond our control. First, academician Sándor Radnóti challenged the Hungarian Academy of Sciences’ General Assembly resolution regarding the sale of the properties and  requested an immediate legal injunction to halt the implementation of the resolution. This legal action has introduced the risk of prolonged — or even unresolvable — delays in the transfer of assets between the Academy and the Hungarian state. As a result, the establishment of the new legal entity, the launch of the associated performance-based funding system, and, consequently, the planned salary adjustments from April have been delayed.

Due to the uncertainty created by the lawsuit against the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), we are currently unable to responsibly determine the timing of the transformation, the signing of the new funding agreement, and the associated salary adjustments. However, we can state with confidence that we have fulfilled our responsibilities: operations under the new organisational framework could begin at any time.

The Government has made it clear that it considers the modernisation of HUN-REN and publicly funded research to be of strategic importance, having provided the necessary legal framework and guaranteed long-term funding. However, without the asset settlement that has been closely linked to the transformation from the outset, the establishment of the new HUN-REN cannot proceed. As a result, we are unable to access the additional funding, including the HUF 18 billion planned for this year.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, the funding increase set out in the relevant Government Resolution (https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2024-1447-30-22) is available to support both salary increases and capacity expansion. Therefore, even if the registration of the new legal entity takes place later this year, we will still receive the full amount of the increase specified in the resolution.

The importance of this transformation cannot be overstated, as the timely adjustment of researchers' salaries is essential. Once the new HUN-REN is established and the new funding scheme is introduced, the average gross monthly base salary of researchers could increase from the current HUF 592,000 to HUF 800,000 — and could exceed HUF 1 million from 2027 onwards.

According to our information, the Budapest-Capital Regional Court has discontinued the administrative lawsuit. The related court order—provided that neither party submits an appeal—is expected to become final within two weeks.. In light of this, HUN-REN believes that the sale and purchase agreement between the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian State — for the properties used by the research facilities — can now be signed by the parties. We hope that, once the legal obstacle has been removed, the parties — in line with the HAS General Assembly’s decision — will proceed to sign the agreement without delay.

The leadership of HUN-REN is continuously seeking ways to move forward, and remains in ongoing dialogue with the Ministry on this matter. We trust that, through our joint efforts, a new chapter in the history of Hungarian research and innovation will soon begin. After all, we are all part of a community that recognises the importance of modern national research and sees the way forward in a more responsive, collaborative, performance-driven, and effective HUN-REN.

Budapest, 31 March 2025

Balázs Gulyás, President

Roland Jakab, CEO