Hungary’s rule of law breeches - several Hungarian universities threatened to be cut off from Horizon funds

Several Hungarian universities are threatened to be cut off from Horizon Europe funding over ongoing concerns about rule of law breaches in the country, based on the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506, effective as of 16 December 2022. The suspension, under the EU’s conditionality regulation affects institutions operated as ‘public trust foundations’ or maintained by such foundations. Science Business reported that the Hungarian government has brought 34 institutions under the control of these foundations since 2021 and has published a list of the concerned universities.

Hungarian entities concerned by the Council Implementing Decision can continue to apply to calls for proposals after 16 December 2022. For successfully evaluated proposals, if these measures are not lifted at the time of the grant agreement signature, the concerned Hungarian entities would be found ineligible to receive Union funding. These Hungarian entities could still participate without receiving EU funding, as associated partner, if allowed by the call conditions.

While the purpose of this decision is to protect the Union budget and not to exclude these entities from participation in Union programmes, the Commission has prepared a list of FAQs on how this decision affects their participation in Horizon Europe actions. It will be up-dated in reaction to further questions.