EARTO Members

HUN-REN – Hungarian Research Network

Country: Hungary Founded in: 2019 EARTO Membership: Associated hun-ren.hu hun-ren.hu/en/key-publications

The HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network is one of the most significant institutions within Hungary’s scientific and innovation ecosystem. This nationwide network brings together seven research centers, eight research institutes, and 101 supported research groups, operating primarily in the life and physical sciences, alongside central units responsible for strategic governance. HUN-REN serves Hungarian science from discovery research through to innovation, creating social, economic, scientific, and cultural value through its activities. The name HUN-REN—an abbreviation of its English name, Hungarian Research Network—reflects the organization’s national roots and international connections, Hungary’s centuries-long tradition of scientific excellence, and the shared intellectual endeavour of researchers across diverse disciplines.

Mission: HUN-REN’s mission is to contribute, through its scientific research, to generating new scientific and innovation results while preserving and nurturing Hungary’s national culture and enriching the universal body of science and culture. In doing so, it helps address the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing Hungary and its economy. In line with Hungary’s innovation strategy and the John von Neumann Program, HUN-REN’s priority research areas include healthy living, the digital transition, energy, and environmental security, as well as security and defence.

Vision: HUN-REN’s strategic goal is to become a leading innovation hub for addressing societal and economic challenges and to support the uptake of research-generated knowledge across the economy and society. Alongside fulfilling its public functions, HUN-REN also engages in business activities and maintains active partnerships with industry to ensure that research results are integrated into value chains. HUN-REN operates independently under a specific Act that guarantees its special legal status, as well as its organizational and asset independence.

HUN-REN’s four main pillars:

• Research excellence and the strengthening of Hungary’s international scientific performance
• International cooperation with research, education, and industry partners, and connecting Hungarian scientific results to the global scientific community
• Strengthening innovation performance
• Encouraging the next generation of researchers by engaging early-career researchers, as well as university and secondary school students

© Photos Credit: HUN-REN