New survey unveils hidden costs of EU-Hungary tussle over research funding

A new report by the Hungarian Young Academy shows around 40% of early career researchers have experienced some form of negative consequence of the EU funding ban that applies to 30 research institutions, including 21 universities, in Hungary.

The survey reveals international collaborators and their funding agencies are reluctant to write joint proposals with Hungarian researchers, even if they are not working in one of the institutions affected by the ban. International consortium leaders often ask Hungarian researchers to move their projects to institutions that are not suspended, or simply to change jobs.

Sixteen percent of respondents have considered changing their affiliation or seeking additional affiliations within Hungary, while 25% have already started or are planning to start looking for jobs abroad.

The results of the survey have been sent to the Hungarian government, leaders of Hungarian universities and research institutes, the rector’s conference and to NRDI, the national agency for research funding.

The authors hope the issue will be put back on the political agenda in Brussels when the new Commission takes up office later this year.

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Írta: Pethő-Szirmai Judit