Academia Europaea supports the re-organisation of the Hungarian Research Network of research institutes “HUN-REN”#
The statement approved for release on 11 June 2025#
The Board of Trustees of the AE have recently published a statement supporting the exciting re-organisation of the Hungarian Research Network
of research institutes “HUN-REN”:
STATEMENT#
The Academia Europaea expresses its support for the reform of the Hungarian Research Network of institutes#
The republic of Hungary has a very long tradition of research excellence and innovations in science and technology. This can be seen as Hungary holds the 2025 celebration of 200 years of the Academy of Sciences of Hungary
.
Following this tradition, the recent decisions taken by the Academy of Science (MTA) to facilitate the transfer of the ownership of their research Institutes to the new Hungarian Research Network (HUNREN) has allowed for reform and re-structuring of the non-university research institute network, bringing forty-nine institutes together into a single unified organisation – The Hungarian Research Network.
The plans for reform, developed by the new management of the HUN-REN, will be accompanied by a substantial increase in state funding support. These reforms should enable the network to evolve quickly into one of Europe’s major research network performers. The expectation is that HUN-REN will sit alongside the likes of the Max Planck Society of Germany and the CNRS of France. In this respect, we strongly applaud the creation of structures that will enable better coordination of research management and the establishing of recognised international benchmarking systems for quality and excellence by the HUN-REN management.
The Academia Europaea understands that there are now some unexpected legal obstacles to the full rollout of the plans for reform. We therefore strongly urge the HUN-REN management and the relevant authorities to move ahead as fast as possible, to enable the implementation of those aspects of the plans that are not themselves the core subject to the legal constraints.
We feel that it is important that there should be no obstacle to the implementation of those parts of the plans that seek to enhance the research performance and career prospects for institute staffs and especially important, is the need to address as a matter of some urgency, the expectations of the younger researchers within the network. The future of Hungarian research excellence will be very dependent upon the ability of the system to train, retain and reward the highest calibre of research and technical people.
In addition, the Academia Europaea wishes to emphasise the critical importance for the health and development of Hungarian science in general, that the HUN-REN network has full research autonomy. Freedom to act, prioritise and deliver science for society must be a prime function for the network itself. An ‘arms-length’ oversight by the authorities has been proven over many decades and across many European countries, to be the model that enables the best delivery of science and technology for taxpayers.
The Academia Europaea is pleased to congratulate both the HUN-REN organisation and the Academy of Sciences of Hungary on this significant development. The growth in the status of Hungarian research will be a benefit to Hungarian society as a whole and will significantly enhance the research landscape of Europe.
Approved for publication by the Board of trustees and authorised for release on 11 June 2025 by the acting President.
Issued by the Executive Secretary – London office
Download the statement
.
