Ambitious goals and higher R&D budget

As in previous years, the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NKFI Fund) has announced its program strategy for 2026, which allocates a total budget of approximately HUF 120 billion from domestic sources for research and innovation objectives. The 2026 R&D budget is 20% higher than last year’s funds, clearly indicating that the Hungarian Government is placing increasing emphasis on stimulating R&D activities. Researchers, businesses, as well as universities and research institutes can all benefit from the announced program plan, giving every stakeholder in the research ecosystem an opportunity to obtain support for their activities.

The aim of the 2026 program strategy is to increase the number of domestic R&D professionals, broaden innovation activity among businesses, and encourage cooperation between scientific and industrial stakeholders. Another key objective is to strengthen the protection of intellectual property and increase the number of patent applications, thereby contributing to improved long-term competitiveness.
The NKFI Fund’s main call focus areas announced for 2026:

• Supporting internationally outstanding research excellence
• Encouraging international research collaborations
• Facilitating the commercialization of research results
• Developing and modernizing research infrastructures
• Promoting industrial property protection activities

R&D activities are increasingly popular among businesses, and more and more companies intend to tap into the available resources. It is advisable to start planning your company’s development projects now, as early preparation significantly increases the likelihood of making the most of the opportunities available. It is also important to highlight that several options are available to support R&D activities for businesses, including grants provided through individual government decisions, European Union co-financed programs (GINOP Plus), as well as tax incentives.

If you would like help navigating the complex system of R&D funding or to consult with our experts on which form of support best fits your activities and development plans, do not hesitate to contact us at fdi@bdo.hu.