An attractive environment for R&D co-operation and investment 

• World-class scientific knowledge
• Large presence of multinationals investing in  R&D activities
• Continuously expanding R&D investments in the corporate sector
• Open-minded researchers, high level of foreign research cooperation
• Efficient incentive system for new investments
• A boom in technology park developments in university cities

 

R&D at a glance

 

• The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report surveys company executives and evaluates 130 countries every year. One criterion is the quality of scientific research institutions, in which Hungary was among the best 25 countries in 2009.

 

• Hungary hosts the HQ of the European Technology Institute and  is partner location of the Extreme Light Infratsructure Project.

 

• Spending on research and development in Hungary rose 8.4pc to HUF 266.4bn in 2008. The increase was well over the 3pc rise in 2007, but below growth of almost 15pc in both 2005 and 2006. Although R&D spending achieved only 1pc of GDP in 2008, its overall value more than doubled between 2000-2008.

 

• Pharmaceutical, engineering and information technology research benefit from the largest sources of funding in 2008.

 

 Key research areas

 

Mathematics and mathematical programming

Great traditions and outstanding standards of teaching are the foundations for today’s research and education excellence in mathematics. A large number of mathematicians in the US participate in the Budapest Semester of Mathematics.

 

Information and communications technology

Information and communications technology is one of the main drivers of innovation and economic growth in Hungary. In the past 15 years, the country has grown into a major centre of mobile technology and information security research.

 

Life sciences

The Hungarian pharmaceutical industry and related sciences of pharmacy, biotechnology and medical equipment technology are steeped in tradition. In the past few years, biotechnological research and medical equipment innovation has been boosted by five life sciences knowledge centres. Pharmaceutical research covers the entire process of drug development in Hungary.

 

Automotive technology

Since the 1990’s, Hungary has become a new hub for automotive manufacturing. Satisfied with their results, several leading global manufacturers such as AUDI, GM, ZF, Knorr Bremse and Bosch have established R&D centres in Hungary. Increasingly, automotive-related applied R&D is carried out in top universities. A large number of SME-s conduct contract research in Győr, Veszprém, Székesfehérvár and Budapest.

 

Agricultural sciences, food safety and functional food

Rich natural resources and a high level of molecular biology research form the basis for innovation agricultural sciences in functional food and food safety in Hungary.

 

Environmental technologies

Waste management and biomass related R&D are emerging research fields in Hungary, however their significance has increased over the past years. Environmental research is not only focused on renewable energy sources - interest has been also growing in energy efficiency and green IT solutions. 

 

 

Policy environment

 

Prior to its accession to the European Union, Hungary harmonized its regulatory system with that of the EU, including patent, IP, confidentiality protection and privacy. EU membership strengthened the system to ensure a transparent operating environment.

 

ITD Hungary supports investments worth at least EUR 10 million set up to establish new research and development facilities via its one-stop shop approach. As part of a tailor-made incentive package, ITD Hungary undertakes all-inclusive management of projects granted direct cash subsidies and provides comprehensive advice on other incentives available to high-value investment projects.

 

 

For more, contact ITD Hungary R&D specialist Balázs Gölöncsér at . You can also download ITD Hungary's publication"R & D in Hungary: With Business in Mind" from this site.