HUN-REN HUNGARIAN RESEARCH NETWORK

The HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network is Hungary’s leading national research organization and a central pillar of the domestic research and innovation ecosystem. The HUN-REN network brings together 15 research institutions and two business entities, employing more than 5,000 staff members, including approximately 3,400 researchers, who conduct research across a broad spectrum of STEM fields, life sciences, and frontier science.

HUN-REN’s vision is for Hungary to become one of Europe’s most recognized and forward-looking research and innovation ecosystems. In this context, our activities focus on:

• actively contributing to addressing global challenges
• promoting the renewal of the economy
• strengthening societal resilience
• achieving significant scientific breakthroughs

HUN-REN’s mission is built on three pillars:

• Research: establishing world-class scientific excellence from basic research to practical applications, while safeguarding scientific autonomy.
• Innovation: developing national research and innovation capacities; modernizing research infrastructure; attracting and retaining talent; strengthening international presence and collaborations; and building world-class capacities in selected strategic areas.
• Impact: enhancing the positive social and economic impact of research activities; supporting innovation-driven economic growth; and improving Hungary’s competitiveness, sustainability, and the health of society.

HUN-REN’s scientific strategy is aligned with Hungary’s research and innovation programme, the John von Neumann Programme, which focuses on four priority areas: digital transformation and artificial intelligence; health and life sciences; sustainable environment and energy; and security and defence.

OPERATIONS

The legal status of HUN-REN is regulated by the HUN-REN Act (Act XCI of 2024), adopted in December 2024. Based on this legislative mandate, the renewed HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network was established in 2025, integrating the long-standing research institutions of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences into a unified national framework. This transformation of historic significance not only consolidated the organizational structure but also reinforced, more firmly than ever before, the freedom of scientific research and institutional independence.

Financial stability and long-term strategic planning are ensured by a 25-year public task financing framework agreement concluded between HUN-REN and the Hungarian state, implemented through successive six-year financing contracts.

State funding under the financing agreement is linked to the achievement of defined performance indicators. The performance of the Network is assessed against 18 indicators, including (among others) scientific performance (number of publications, citations), internationalization (number of internationally co-authored publications, international grants, conference organization), researcher pipeline (involvement of secondary school students, university students, and doctoral candidates in research), and innovation (number of patents, revenues from IP commercialization, number of spin-off companies). Performance-based funding also incentivizes scientific excellence and innovation activities.

The new operational model integrates research excellence, international collaboration, talent development, and the promotion of innovation within a comprehensive, coherent, and performance-based framework. Its objective is to strengthen the professional recognition and motivation of the domestic research community, enhance Hungary’s international scientific visibility and competitiveness, and ensure the long-term sustainable and stable operation of HUN-REN.

The internal functioning of HUN-REN is governed by the Founding Charter and the Organizational and Operational Regulations.

LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION

HUN-REN is headed by a President with an internationally recognized scientific background, while day-to-day operations are managed by a CEO with internationally recognized corporate governance experience. Strategic oversight and decision-making are exercised by the seven-member Governing Board, chaired by the President of HUN-REN.

The scientific and innovation activities of the research institutes are coordinated by the Scientific Vice-Presidents. The three Vice-Presidents are each responsible for a specific scientific domain: Engineering and Natural Sciences (STEM); Life Sciences (LIFE); and Frontier Science.

The 15 research institutions of HUN-REN operate as independent legal entities under Hungarian law, with their own organizational structures, budgets, and management. The institutions are led by Directors General, who are appointed by the President of HUN-REN with the consent of the Governing Board, following an international selection procedure. The Directors General not only fully represent their respective institutions (including exercising ownership rights) but also play a key role in ensuring the effective operation of the Network.

HUN-REN regards research and innovation as a continuous value chain in which each element—from fundamental research to applied development and implementation—plays an essential role. In this approach, collaboration among research institutions, higher education, industry, and other partners is of key importance, ensuring the flow of knowledge, the integration of capacities, and the effective translation of scientific results into societal and economic impact.

HUN-REN’s innovation-oriented approach and practical value creation are further strengthened by HUNRENTECH Ltd., the technology transfer company of the HUN-REN, providing a strong link between research and market.

Through its interdisciplinary approach and strong international collaborations, HUN-REN contributes significantly to scientific progress and strengthens the European and global visibility, competitiveness of Hungary, while generating knowledge and tools that address broader societal and technological challenges.