THE SUBMISSION PERIOD FOR THE FRONTIERS INVESTIGATOR CALL FOR PROPOSALS HAS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED
The submission period for the first call of the Frontiers Investigator program has concluded, drawing significant international interest. The initiative aims to offer long-term, internationally competitive research opportunities in Hungary, encourage leading researchers worldwide to return home, and strengthen their domestic research careers.
Leading international researchers from European Union member states, Switzerland, the United States, and Hungary submitted proposals in response to the call. A notably high proportion of the applicants are researchers who have received active ERC funding and who intend to carry out the next phase of their research programs in Hungary.
One key objective of the Frontiers Investigator program is to give outstanding Hungarian and international researchers abroad the chance to establish independent research groups competitive by international standards. The distribution of applications across scientific disciplines is balanced. Biology, medicine, physics, and chemistry are all well represented, reflecting the program’s multidisciplinary approach. Potential host institutions include traditional natural science centers and engineering-focused institutions, as well as Hungarian universities and HUN-REN institutes, creating a strong foundation for applying research results and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Applicants also committed to actively nurturing domestic talent. Members of the research groups formed under the program will train the next generation of researchers, from high school students to university undergraduates, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers. This allows the research, development, and innovation experience gained at leading institutions to be directly incorporated into developing the next generation of Hungarian scientists.
The successful completion of the application phase marks an important milestone in the Frontiers Investigator program. In the long term, it can strengthen Hungary’s international scientific competitiveness and make the country an attractive research environment for the world’s most outstanding researchers.