Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The National Research, Development and Innovation Fund has launched a funding call to support intellectual property (IP) protection and utilization of research and innovation outcomes. The programme provides a total budget of HUF 500 million for projects lasting 18 months, focusing on securing domestic and international industrial property rights and improving commercialization of innovations in Hungary and the European Economic Area.
What is this Programme?
This funding programme supports activities that help researchers, institutions, and companies protect intellectual creations through intellectual property (IP) rights. It also promotes the practical and commercial use of innovations resulting from research and development.
The initiative is managed by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund and is designed to strengthen Hungary’s innovation ecosystem by improving IP protection systems and technology transfer capabilities.
Core Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen domestic and international intellectual property protection
- Support industrial property rights registration (patents, trademarks, designs)
- Improve intellectual property management systems
- Promote commercialization of research outcomes
- Encourage utilization of innovation results in industry and society
- Enhance technology transfer between research and business sectors
Key Focus Areas
Intellectual Property Protection
- Domestic and international patent applications
- Trademark and industrial design protection
- Legal and administrative support for IP registration
- Strengthening institutional IP strategies
Innovation Utilization
- Commercialization of research results
- Industry uptake of academic innovations
- Development of market-ready technologies
- Support for licensing and spin-off creation
Capacity Building
- Improving IP management systems in institutions
- Training and awareness in intellectual property law
- Strengthening research-to-market pathways
Funding Details
- Total budget: HUF 500,000,000
- Project duration: 18 months
- Geographic scope: Hungary and European Economic Area (EEA) with Hungarian presence
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to a broad range of applicants:
Eligible Institutions and Organizations
- Higher education institutions
- Non-higher education educational institutions
- Budgetary research institutions
- Other public budgetary bodies
- Enterprise-based research organizations
- Non-research enterprises
- Non-profit research organizations
- Other non-profit organizations
- HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network
Individual Applicants
- Private individuals residing in Hungary
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered in Hungary or the European Economic Area
- Have a branch office in Hungary (for EEA-based entities)
- Belong to an eligible organizational category
- Demonstrate capacity to manage IP protection and innovation activities
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects should:
- Increase the number of protected intellectual property assets
- Improve national and international patent activity
- Strengthen commercialization of research outputs
- Enhance institutional IP management systems
- Improve collaboration between research and industry
- Support economic utilization of innovation
Types of Supported Activities
The programme supports activities such as:
- Patent and trademark filing (national and international)
- Legal and administrative IP protection processes
- Development of institutional IP strategies
- Market analysis for innovation commercialization
- Technology transfer support activities
- Innovation management training
- Support for licensing and spin-off development
Programme Impact
This initiative contributes to:
- Stronger innovation ecosystems in Hungary
- Increased global competitiveness of Hungarian research
- Improved transfer of knowledge to industry
- Better protection of scientific and technological outputs
- Economic growth driven by innovation and IP utilization
Project Duration
- Total implementation period: 18 months
- Projects must be completed within this timeframe
Why This Programme Matters
This funding call is important because it bridges the gap between research and real-world application. By strengthening intellectual property protection and commercialization capacity, it helps ensure that scientific and technological innovations create economic and societal value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of this programme?
To support the protection and commercialization of intellectual property created through research and innovation.
What is the total funding available?
HUF 500,000,000.
How long do projects last?
18 months.
Who can apply?
Universities, research institutions, companies, non-profits, individuals in Hungary, and eligible EEA entities with a Hungarian branch.
What types of activities are funded?
Patent registration, IP management, commercialization support, and innovation utilization activities.
Can international organizations apply?
Yes, if they are registered in the EEA and have a branch office in Hungary.
Is commercialization required?
Yes, the programme strongly emphasizes practical use and market application of intellectual property.
Conclusion
The National Research, Development and Innovation Fund IP protection programme is a structured funding initiative aimed at strengthening intellectual property systems and improving the commercialization of research in Hungary. By supporting patenting, innovation management, and technology transfer, it helps transform research outcomes into economically and socially valuable innovations.
For more information, visit NKFIH.