Funding for Domestic and International Intellectual Property Protection (Hungary)

Deadline: 28-Aug-2026

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) Industrial Property Protection Funding 2026 supports innovators, researchers, businesses, and organizations seeking domestic and international intellectual property (IP) protection. The programme provides financial assistance for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, plant variety protection, and international patent procedures to strengthen innovation and promote the commercialization of intellectual creations.

National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) Industrial Property Protection Funding 2026

What is the NRDIO Industrial Property Protection Funding 2026?

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) offers funding to help applicants obtain domestic and international industrial property protection for intellectual creations.

The programme is funded through the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund and aims to strengthen intellectual property protection while encouraging innovation, commercialization, and the effective utilization of intellectual assets.

The funding supports applicants seeking legal protection for inventions, trademarks, industrial designs, plant varieties, and other forms of industrial property both in Hungary and internationally.

Funding Overview

The programme has a total budget of HUF 500 million for 2026.

Approved projects may be implemented for a maximum duration of 18 months.

Funding is available for eligible intellectual property protection activities, including patent applications, trademark registrations, design protection, plant variety protection, European patent validation, and international patent procedures.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen domestic and international intellectual property protection.
• Encourage innovation and research commercialization.
• Help innovators protect valuable intellectual creations.
• Support the utilization of industrial property rights.
• Reduce financial barriers associated with obtaining intellectual property protection.
• Improve the global competitiveness of Hungarian innovators and organizations.

Eligible Activities

The programme provides funding for several industrial property protection activities.

Hungarian Patent Applications

Applicants may receive funding for:

• Hungarian patent applications
• Utility model applications
• Plant variety protection applications

Maximum funding: Up to HUF 800,000 per application.

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Applications

Funding is available for filing applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) to obtain international patent protection.

Maximum funding: Up to HUF 2,500,000.

National and Regional PCT Procedures

Applicants entering the national or regional phase after filing a PCT application may receive support.

Funding includes:

• Up to HUF 1,500,000 per procedure.
• Maximum cumulative funding of HUF 7,500,000.

European Patent Validation

Support is available for validating European patents in participating countries.

Funding includes:

• Up to HUF 500,000 per country where a full patent specification translation is required.
• Up to HUF 300,000 per country where only patent claims require translation.

Maximum funding:

• HUF 2,000,000

Trademark Applications

Funding supports:

• Hungarian trademark applications
• European Union trademark applications
• International trademark applications

Maximum funding available:

• Hungarian trademark: HUF 100,000
• European Union trademark: HUF 250,000
• International trademark: HUF 400,000

Design Protection Applications

Applicants may also receive support for:

• Hungarian design protection applications
• Community design protection applications

Maximum funding:

• HUF 100,000 per application.

Who is Eligible?

The programme is open to a broad range of applicants.

Eligible Individuals

• Private individuals residing in Hungary.

Eligible Organizations

Eligible organizations include:

• Higher education institutions.
• Educational institutions outside higher education.
• Budgetary research institutions.
• Other public institutions outside education or research.
• Enterprise-based research organizations.
• Businesses with or without legal personality.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Large enterprises.
• Non-profit business companies.
• Non-profit research organizations.
• Other nonprofit organizations.
• Budgetary organs and budgetary entities.
• HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network.
• Legal entities registered in Hungary.
• Legal entities established in the European Economic Area (EEA) with a branch office in Hungary.

Why This Funding Matters

Protecting intellectual property is essential for transforming innovative ideas into valuable commercial assets.

This programme helps applicants:

• Secure legal protection for inventions and innovations.
• Protect trademarks and brand identity.
• Safeguard industrial designs.
• Expand into international markets.
• Increase licensing and commercialization opportunities.
• Enhance competitiveness and investor confidence.
• Reduce the financial burden of obtaining intellectual property rights.

By supporting industrial property protection, the programme contributes to research, innovation, and long-term economic growth.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the programme guidelines and eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the appropriate industrial property protection activity.
3. Prepare the required supporting documents.
4. Complete the electronic application using the official online submission system.
5. Finalize the application before submission.
6. Prepare the mandatory declaration verifying the electronic submission.
7. Authenticate the declaration using an approved electronic signature or authentication service.
8. Attach the authenticated declaration to the finalized proposal.
9. Submit the complete application through the online system.

Electronic Signature Requirements

Every finalized proposal must include a declaration verifying the electronic submission.

The declaration must be authenticated using one of the following methods:

• Qualified electronic signature.
• Advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate.
• Digital Citizenship Programme (DÁP) mobile application signature.
• Authentication through the ePaper service.

The authenticated declaration must be attached to the finalized proposal before submission.

Project Duration

The maximum implementation period for approved projects is:

• 18 months

Applicants should ensure that all funded activities are completed within this period.

Tips for a Successful Application

To improve the chances of receiving funding:

• Confirm eligibility before applying.
• Select the correct funding category.
• Prepare complete supporting documentation.
• Ensure all electronic signatures meet programme requirements.
• Double-check funding limits for each activity.
• Submit the application before the deadline.
• Keep copies of all submitted documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Forgetting to attach the authenticated declaration.
• Using an invalid electronic signature.
• Selecting an incorrect funding category.
• Exceeding the maximum funding limits.
• Missing required documentation.
• Waiting until the final submission deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of the NRDIO Industrial Property Protection Funding 2026?

The programme supports applicants in obtaining domestic and international industrial property protection by providing funding for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, plant variety protection, and related intellectual property activities.

2. What is the total budget for the programme?

The programme has a total budget of HUF 500 million for 2026.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include private individuals residing in Hungary, universities, research institutions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, public institutions, and legal entities registered in Hungary or the European Economic Area with a branch office in Hungary.

4. Which intellectual property activities are supported?

The programme supports:

• Hungarian patent applications
• Utility model applications
• Plant variety protection applications
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications
• National and regional PCT procedures
• European patent validation
• Hungarian trademark applications
• European Union trademark applications
• International trademark applications
• Hungarian design protection applications
• Community design protection applications

5. What is the maximum project duration?

Approved projects may last for a maximum of 18 months.

6. Is an electronic signature required?

Yes. Every finalized proposal must include an authenticated declaration signed using an approved electronic signature or authenticated through the ePaper service.

7. What is the maximum funding available for a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application?

Applicants may receive up to HUF 2,500,000 for filing a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application.

Conclusion

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) Industrial Property Protection Funding 2026 provides significant financial support for protecting intellectual property in Hungary and internationally. By funding patents, trademarks, industrial designs, plant variety protection, and international patent procedures, the programme helps innovators, researchers, businesses, and organizations safeguard their intellectual creations and improve commercialization opportunities. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, prepare complete documentation, meet the electronic authentication requirements, and submit their proposals through the official online system to maximize their chances of securing funding.

For more information, visit NRDI.