Long-term strategic agreement between the Frontiers Foundation and the Government of Hungary
On February 20, the Government of Hungary and the Frontiers Foundation signed a 25-year strategic framework agreement and a 6-year financing contract, establishing a predictable, long-term foundation for the development of Hungary’s research and innovation ecosystem.
At the signing ceremony, Minister of Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening Hungary’s scientific competitiveness and fostering internationally recognized research collaborations.
In his address, Professor Ferenc Krausz, Chair of the Board, Initiator of the Frontiers Foundation, underlined the strategic importance of knowledge for national competitiveness.
“A country’s competitiveness is determined by knowledge. In Hungary’s case, this is especially true,” he said. “Frontier research is not an end in itself. It gives rise to discoveries and technological breakthroughs that create new industries, new enterprises, and new forms of value creation.”
Professor Krausz stressed that, for a country without abundant natural resources, sustainable prosperity can be secured only through high-value-added intellectual work. This requires a strong research base, internationally competitive standards, and the large-scale presence of world-class scientists.
While Hungary already has outstanding researchers, he noted that significantly more internationally leading scientists are needed to ensure that economic transformation becomes decisively knowledge-based. Creating an environment where excellence, ambition, and mentorship are natural expectations is essential to attracting and retaining the most talented young minds.
The mission of the Frontiers Foundation builds on this recognition: to bring internationally renowned researchers to Hungary, integrate them into the existing research ecosystem, and develop world-class research centers in close cooperation with universities and research institutes.
The agreement signed, on February 20, provides the long-term planning security needed to make this vision sustainable.
The signing marks an important step toward ensuring that from spark of curiosity can increasingly turn into discovery - here in Hungary.
The full speech is available to watch here.
Photo credit: Frontiers Foundation / Geza Marossy