Participation in Horizon Europe programme secured for Hungarian researchers
The HUF 5 billion budget provided by the government as an advance for Horizon research is now available for all universities concerned, said Balázs Hankó, State Secretary for Innovation and Higher Education, in Budapest on 20 April, after a meeting with researchers involved in Horizon programmes.
"At the end of last year, the Hungarian higher education and research system was accused of discriminatory decisions by Brussels, which are untrue," the State Secretary recalled, adding that negotiations with the European Commission are currently ongoing. Balázs Hankó stressed that the Hungarian government stands up for Hungarian researchers and Hungarian students, which is why the HUF 5 billion funding available to Hungarian researchers for all other direct EU research funding, in addition to the Horizon programmes, is available from today. The government's support will allow 12 applications from 9 Hungarian universities to participate as associate members in Horizon Europe research collaborations and carry out international research that will benefit society and the economy. The government's immediate help is needed because without it, the universities concerned would not be able to stay in the projects, as several deadlines for commitments expire in May.
As well as securing funds quickly, he added, it was also agreed that universities would receive a statement of support that they could present to European partners and universities involved in the consortia. At the press conference, Gyula Kasza, associate professor at the University of Veterinary Sciences, said that decades-old research collaborations had been adversely affected by the Brussels decision and that it would be very difficult to rebuild them.
He stressed that it was in their best interest to reach this agreement as soon as possible, but in the meantime it would be a significant help to continue their proposals.
"We are also talking about the fate of undergraduate students, doctoral students and postgraduate researchers who want to do international quality research here in Hungary. And for this it is very important that we can remain part of this international research network", the associate professor stressed, adding that they are confident of a quick agreement, but in the meantime they will make use of the opportunities now announced.
The meeting was attended by researchers from the University of Óbuda, the University of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Debrecen and Semmelweis University."
MTI
As well as securing funds quickly, he added, it was also agreed that universities would receive a statement of support that they could present to European partners and universities involved in the consortia. At the press conference, Gyula Kasza, associate professor at the University of Veterinary Sciences, said that decades-old research collaborations had been adversely affected by the Brussels decision and that it would be very difficult to rebuild them.
He stressed that it was in their best interest to reach this agreement as soon as possible, but in the meantime it would be a significant help to continue their proposals.
"We are also talking about the fate of undergraduate students, doctoral students and postgraduate researchers who want to do international quality research here in Hungary. And for this it is very important that we can remain part of this international research network", the associate professor stressed, adding that they are confident of a quick agreement, but in the meantime they will make use of the opportunities now announced.
The meeting was attended by researchers from the University of Óbuda, the University of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Debrecen and Semmelweis University."
MTI
