Hungary plans science reform and increased R&D funding

Zoltán Tanács, the Minister of Science and Technology, has announced plans to overhaul Hungary’s scientific and educational systems. Speaking at the 26th Hungarian Business Leaders Forum in Budapest, Tanács stated that the government aims to double the current state funding for science by the end of the current cycle. He noted that Hungary’s research and development spending, at 1.3% of GDP, remains significantly below the EU average, citing Finland’s 4% as a benchmark.

The Minister emphasized the need for better resource management, criticizing previous high expenditures in IT and battery manufacturing that yielded insufficient scientific results. He also proposed integrating entrepreneurial and innovative skills into primary education to build a knowledge-based economy.

Parallel to these structural reforms, debates regarding academic freedom and political influence persist within the scientific community. Following the change in government, various academic actors have raised concerns through open letters regarding the institutional system, the potential closure of research institutes, and the necessity of preventing political interference in decision-making positions to ensure true scientific autonomy.