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More efficient and internationally competitive R&D and innovation in Hungary through cooperation between the ELKH Secretariat and the NKFI Office

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The Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) Secretariat and the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFI Office) have signed a cooperation agreement to support internationally competitive research, development and innovation activities at ELKH research centers. Through professional partnerships, in addition to basic research, more emphasis can be placed on promoting the development of market products or services. The agreement was signed by Dr Miklós Maróth, President of ELKH and Dr Zoltán Birkner, President of the NKFI Office on January 27, 2022. At the same time, the ELKH Secretariat joined the Network of Regional Innovation Platforms established by the NKFI Office in 2019.

As a prominent stakeholder in Hungarian research and development, ELKH has a significant impact on the development of both society and the economy. The aim of the close professional and strategic partnership between the ELKH Secretariat and the NKFI Office is to further strengthen the development of Hungary, as well as to reinforce the professional activities and international recognition of the research network as a center for excellence. In addition to the contribution of experienced ELKH researchers with outstanding expertise to the evaluation of the funding programs managed by the NKFI Office, the partnership will bring further benefits to both parties.

"Encouraging effective and long-term cooperation between the stakeholders in the RDI ecosystem is of utmost importance to us, as this will enhance the knowledge-based, sustainable competitiveness of the Hungarian economy. The agreement we have just signed is another step towards NKFIH and ELKH finding synergies that will enable the expansion of successful research collaborations, and the development and implementation of joint international partnerships. With ELKH joining the Regional Innovation Platform, and through the regional networks of research institutions and market players, there is another opportunity to promote the socio-economic exploitation of research results," said Dr Zoltán Birkner, President of the NKFI Office.

"The mutual exchange of information can help to expand the research community's toolbkit and to make better use of both Hungarian and international funding opportunities, which can increase not only the quantity of excellent scientific results, but also their economic and social exploitation. In the course of the cooperation, special attention will be paid to the promotion of knowledge and technology transfer activities between the actors of the national innovation system, so that ELKH's research sites, alongside universities, will also serve as more active links – as knowledge bases and research service providers – in the economy and society. This is one of the reasons why we are joining the Network of Regional Innovation Platforms established by the NKFI Office," said ELKH President Dr Miklós Maróth.

Within the framework of the Regional Innovation Platforms, the participants establish regional organizations and knowledge centers which, in addition to giving information on direct innovation policy directions, will also provide further opportunities to create and strengthen cooperation between researchers and the business sector, and to develop and expand international relations.

The joint aim of the NKFI Office and the ELKH Secretariat is to strengthen Hungarian research, development and innovation in order to increase the effectiveness of activities and to provide the conditions for the efficient use of resources. The collaboration will provide the research community with even more opportunities to learn directly about and access information on different fundraising opportunities, including through trainings, events and workshops.

In order to support the above objectives, the ELKH Secretariat joined the Network of Regional Innovation Platforms, as did the five national professional organizations that had already joined the system, including the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office, the Hungarian Association for Innovation, the Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, the National Union of Students in Hungary and the Association of the Digital Economy.

Photos: MTI