Horizon Europe: Funding restrictions lifted for affected Hungarian entities

Since 14 October 2026, Hungarian entities previously subject to funding restrictions have once again been eligible to receive EU funding under Horizon Europe. The change applies to new proposals, grant agreement preparation and ongoing research and innovation projects. The applicable eligibility conditions continue to apply.

The Council of the European Union adopted the decision to lift the measures on 13 October 2026. The restrictions in place since December 2022 concerned public interest trusts established under Hungarian Act IX of 2021 and entities maintained by those trusts. Previously, these entities could participate in consortia as associated partners without EU funding.

New proposals: Participation with EU funding possible again

When preparing new proposals, consortia can once again include the Hungarian entities concerned as beneficiaries receiving EU funding, provided they meet the eligibility conditions of the relevant call.

Grant agreement preparation: Contact your Project Officer

For proposals already in the Grant Agreement Preparation phase, entities previously included as associated partners can now participate as beneficiaries and receive EU funding.

Coordinating organisations should contact their Project Officer at the European Commission or the relevant EU implementing body to discuss the necessary steps.

Ongoing research and innovation projects: Grant agreement amendment required

For signed, ongoing grant agreements, the entities concerned may, in principle, also receive EU funding. This requires the consortium to request an amendment to the grant agreement. Two key conditions apply:

• No retroactive effect before 14 October 2026: The amendment cannot take effect before this date.
• No increase in the maximum EU grant amount for this purpose: Funding must come from a redistribution within the existing maximum EU contribution.

Your contact at BayFOR

If you are planning a research and innovation project with Hungarian partners or would like to understand what the changes mean for your consortium, BayFOR can support you with questions about EU research and innovation funding.