!!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
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__The Board of Trustees of the AE have recently published a statement supporting the exciting re-organisation of the [Hungarian Research Network|https://www.ttk.hun-ren.hu/en] of research institutes “HUN-REN”:__
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!!STATEMENT
!!The Academia Europaea expresses its support for the reform of the Hungarian Research Network of institutes
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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|https://mta.hu/english].
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Approved for publication by the Board of trustees and authorised for release on 11 June 2025 by the
acting President.
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Issued by the Executive Secretary – London office
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Download the [statement|Statement of support for the 2025 HUNREN renewal issued on 11 June.pdf].
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