Hungary Can Join Horizon Europe Projects Despite Funding Issues

A recent letter from Marc Lemaître, head of the European Commission’s research directorate, has highlighted concerns from Hungarian authorities regarding misinformation that has reportedly sidelined Hungarian research teams. The letter emphasizes the need for accurate information to ensure that these teams can effectively participate in upcoming research initiatives, particularly as the country prepares to benefit from new satellite technologies. In a related development, a project aimed at establishing a beamline in Poland for Ukrainian scientists has secured a €1 million grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. However, the initiative still requires an additional €3.5 million to reach its funding goal, underscoring the ongoing financial challenges faced by research projects in the region. As the Horizon Europe program approaches its conclusion, discussions are intensifying about its successor, FP10. Stakeholders are advocating for the inclusion of research support in Widening measures, rather than focusing solely on networking and capacity building. Current statistics reveal that only 19% of applications originate from Widening countries, despite these nations housing a significant portion of the EU’s scientific workforce. In Czechia, Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, is set to engage with government officials and the research community during her visit on June 12-13. Meanwhile, Charles University is urging the government to increase funding for educational activities by over €240 million, reflecting a broader need for enhanced financial support in the Czech education sector.