The primary goal of the legislative amendment bill currently before parliament, and required for the reorganisation of the institutional system and the financing of Hungarian research & development and innovation, is for there to be more research that effectively assists the Hungarian economy.

All state funding for research must produce a tangible return for the Hungarian economy and Hungarian society. More Hungarian patents and inventions are required, which could reinforce the Hungarian economy. The current system is not efficient, Hungary is being left behind, and for this reason both the institutional system and financing must be reinforced. In the 2020 budget we are increasing the funding for research & development and innovation by a further 32 billion forints (EUR 99.5 million), and are creating the conditions for the uniform and performance-based distribution of resources.

The elimination of the existing fragmentation will lead to the realisation of the uniform and performance-based financing of research & development and innovation. The changes will lead to an increase in the autonomy of the research institute system in view of the fact that they will be supervised directly by Parliament and not by a public body made up of elected members. The research network will be directed by a body, two thirds of which is made up by members of the scientific profession, whose persons are themselves a guarantor of quality. The ratio of successful domestic and EU tenders submitted by researchers and research institutes is also expected to increase.

As part of the restructuring, the Government was in negotiation with the leadership of the Academy for a year, unsuccessfully, whereas we are convinced that the additional funding provided in the interests of the sustainable growth of the Hungarian economy, and its more efficient, performance-based distribution, serves the interests of Hungarian researchers and the better application of their results.

(MTI)