Summary
- The European Union suspended funding for research projects at universities in Hungary, leading to concerns about brain drain in the country’s scientific community.
- The funding freeze affects 21 universities in Hungary that run public-interest trusts, leading to potential job searches abroad for early-career academics.
- The suspension stems from concerns about academic freedom in Hungary, including the revocation of funding for certain programmes and institutions by the government.
- Hungarian researchers can still participate in Horizon Europe projects, even if their institutions are affected by the funding freeze.
- The Hungarian government has set up alternative funding sources to cover the gap left by the EU funding freeze and promote international research collaborations.
Researchers in Hungary are concerned about a potential brain drain in the field of science due to the European Union’s decision to halt funding for research projects at several universities in the country. This move, amounting to approximately €6.3 billion (US$7 billion), affects 21 universities in Hungary that are managed by public-interest trusts, which were established by the Hungarian government in 2021. The EU contends that this management model violates the rule of law.
The suspension of funding extends to Horizon Europe, a major international research and innovation program, and the Erasmus+ Programme for student and doctoral candidate exchanges, with budgets of €95.5 billion and €26.2 billion per year, respectively. A survey of 524 early-career academics at Hungarian universities and research institutions revealed that 25% of respondents had started or planned to seek job opportunities abroad, while more than one-third reported negative repercussions since the funding freeze.
Early-career scientists in Hungary have experienced challenges with international collaborations, with some partners expressing reluctance to include them in ongoing projects following the EU’s decision. This situation has raised concerns about the potential stigmatization of Hungarian researchers within the European research community. Additionally, a portion of respondents indicated a willingness to change their affiliations or seek opportunities outside of Hungary.
The impact of the funding suspension goes beyond financial limitations, as it also weakens research networks, isolates the Hungarian scientific community, and reduces training opportunities. This situation has led to a decline in the international reputation of Hungarian science, further exacerbating concerns about the future of scientific research in the country.
Amidst these challenges, researchers like Balázs Lengyel and Imola Wilhelm have emphasized the importance of maintaining professional networks across Europe and the potential long-term consequences of the funding freeze on international collaborations. Katalin Solymosi has highlighted the difficulty of repairing damaged relationships and trust within the scientific community.
The academic freedom monitor reports a decline in academic freedom in Hungary over the past decade, with specific concerns raised about transparency and academic freedom in the country. Actions taken by the Hungarian government, such as the revocation of accreditation for gender studies programs and restructuring of research institutions, have contributed to these concerns.
Efforts to address the funding freeze include setting up a governmental guarantee fund to cover Hungarian contributions to research projects accepted by the Horizon Europe scheme. Additionally, the HU-RIZON International Research Excellence Cooperation Programme aims to promote Hungarian-led international research consortia. While these initiatives provide temporary solutions, concerns remain about the long-term impact on Hungarian science and innovation.
Researchers and academics remain skeptical about a quick resolution to the funding freeze but emphasize the importance of continued dialogue between the EU and the Hungarian government. Open discussions involving all stakeholders are seen as essential to addressing the challenges faced by the Hungarian academic community and restoring its international reputation in the scientific community.
Neurology, Public Health & Prevention