NKTH plays a key role in elaborating and implementing Hungary's science-, technology- and innovation policies. NKTH was founded in 2004. The Office is a public body with full powers and independent budget, it is supervised by the Minister Without Portfolio Responsible for Research and Development, Dr. Károly Molnár.
President of the Office: Dr. Gyula Csopaki
Vice-presidents: Dr. Ilona Vass and Dr. Tivadar Lippényi
NKTH provides support for the creation, dissemination and exploitation of new scientific results and and technologies, it also promotes the harmonic development of Hungarian national innovation system and fosters Hungarian participation and better representation thereof in international networks of science, technology and innovation.
To provide financing for the above activities, the government created the Research and Technology Innovation Fund which is managed by NKTH. Apart from small enterprises, all companies must pay at least 0.25% of their turnover into the Fund. The central budget transfers an equivalent contribution into the Fund. The total budget of the Fund in 2008 is HUF 56 billion.
The aim and task of NKTH is to pump that public funding back into Hungarian economy by supporting research, development and innovation (R&D&I) activities primarily through its system of calls for proposals. The system of calls provides funding for R&D projects through a simple and transparent system based on the opinion of independent experts.
Pursuant to its main strategic objectives, NKTH has grouped its calls planned for 2008 as follows:
High-tech Competition Centres
The programme is aimed at developing some outstanding knowledge centres, capable of breaking into definite gaps, and carrying out such R&D&I projects of their respective fields, in the financing of which private investors have a significant role.
National Technology Programme
The aim of this top-priority R&D&I programme is to support domestic innovation by providing significant funding to project proposals of national and regional strategic importance. Besides professional excellence, the exploitation and business plans of proposals have also become important criteria during evaluation. Project proposals are submitted and evaluated twice a year.
Strengthening Knowledge Base
Available throughout the year, the aim of the calls promoting R&D&I is to provide support for the improvement of R&D infrastructure. Further objectives include aiding innovation projects in their early phase and in need of incubation, strengthening integration into international R&D&I networks. The programme supports the strengthening of mobility, human resources and international R&D&I relationships, furthermore the development and exploitation of research infrastructure, as well as the improvement of education and modernization of researcher training.
International co-operation
The aim of bi- and multilateral science and technology co-operations is to acquire information, knowledge and experience, as well as to carry out joint research and achieve mutual R&D and innovation objectives. The calls also promote Hungarian participation in programmes at European level.
Several institutes participate in the Hungarian innovation system, NKTH plays an outstanding role amongst them:
We hope we managed to draw your attention to the activities of NKTH. We wish you success with your proposals, and hope that our cooperation shall be fruitful. Please browse through our website. Do not hesitate to put your questions to us.
