Science and Technology Minister Tanács Zoltán told Telex in an interview that his ministry plans a broad review of past state contracts and funding schemes, along with structural changes in Hungary’s research system. He outlined measures affecting the distribution of research funds, the leadership model of the HUN-REN research network, and the continuation of the Élvonal talent program in a revised form.
Scale of financial exposure
According to Tanács, the reviews have revealed significant fiscal exposure. He said space-related contracts linked to previous ministries amount to roughly HUF 820–850 billion, and some of those agreements run until 2040. In addition, he reported about HUF 200 billion of still-active IT service contracts. The minister singled out contracts with the 4iG group for ongoing scrutiny and stated the government sees substantial financial exposure in those arrangements.
Cases already mentioned in connection with complaints include the Kréta and Poszeidón IT systems and the Gondosóra program—each involving sums on the order of hundreds of billions of forints. He also cited an e-property registry project that received HUF 16 billion in payments.
HUN-REN: leadership overhaul, open competition and stakeholder involvement
The ministry intends to reform the HUN-REN research network, which was separated from the Magyar Tudományos Akadémia (Hungarian Academy of Sciences). Tanács said the network’s operations have become a "bit of a black box" with limited governmental oversight. He also reported that HUN-REN signalled it does not want to work with the current leadership over the longer term.
As an interim measure, the government would appoint a temporary leadership for about one to two months. The permanent solution would be an open tender to select a new management. Tanács advocated an "open competition" and suggested changing the composition of the governing body so it is not composed solely of government appointees. The plan is to involve the Magyar Tudományos Akadémia and the research community in shaping the board.
Despite planned governance changes, Tanács does not want to abolish HUN-REN’s financing model. He said the funding construct "is not bad" and noted that multi-year financing agreements have increased available research resources compared with earlier periods.
Élvonal to continue but refocused on teams
On the controversial Élvonal program, which the previous government pledged HUF 260 billion to over multiple years, Tanács argued the program’s goal was not the problem—rather the issue was dedicating such a large multi-year amount in advance. For context, he said the total annual expenditure of the NKFI Fund is roughly HUF 110–120 billion, while Élvonal would have implied annual spending of about HUF 40–50 billion.
He confirmed the Élvonal program will not be discontinued. The government still wants to attract world-class researchers to Hungary, but the revamped program would fund research groups of 5–10 people for 3–5 year mandates in specific fields, rather than supporting lone researchers. Tanács noted initial agreements are already underway and that collaboration with Krausz Ferenc would continue. The program would be carried forward within state institutional frameworks.
Space policy: continuation with recalibration, new law and agency planned
Tanács said space policy will not be abandoned. He praised the HUNOR program that sent Kapu Tibor to space and said the program would be extended by roughly six months without increasing its current budget. The ministry also plans a space law and the establishment of a new space agency.
The minister asserted Hungary currently needs a strong supplier base rather than its own large satellite systems: he prefers the development of many—"not one, but a hundred"—Hungarian space-industry suppliers rather than a single big system.
Digital issues and artificial intelligence regulation
On AI, Tanács argued political actors do not take the risks seriously enough. He called for an international "AI slow-down and control program" comparable to nuclear arms control. Domestically, he said Hungary aims to develop a sovereign AI solution that can be used securely by public administration.
Next steps
The ministry will continue its reviews of state contracts and support schemes while arranging a rapid interim solution for HUN-REN’s leadership and preparing a competitive process for long-term management. It also seeks increased resources for the NKFI Fund and is in discussions with the finance ministry.
The concrete effects of these changes on research funding, the research community and the budgetary burden of long-term contracts will become clearer as the audits proceed and detailed plans are published.
