On June 17, 2026, a significant development occurred in the Central European academic and scientific landscape. Corvinus University of Budapest hosted the founding meeting of the Hungarian Association of Research Managers and Administrators, commonly referred to as HUNARMA. This newly established professional body brings together research management professionals from across the country to foster collaboration, share critical knowledge, and systematically strengthen Hungary’s research and innovation ecosystem. For professionals tracking News Articles related to institutional development and academic administration, the creation of HUNARMA represents a structural shift in how Research Management is approached and valued in Hungary.
The Critical Role of Research Management in Hungary’s Innovation Ecosystem
Modern scientific advancement relies heavily on the infrastructure that supports it. While principal investigators and researchers focus on scientific inquiry, research managers handle the complex administrative, financial, and strategic frameworks that make large-scale research possible. The founding meeting of HUNARMA highlighted this dynamic by gathering approximately 150 professionals representing more than 70 distinct institutions across Hungary.
Attendees included representatives from universities, specialized research institutes, national funding organizations, and innovation agencies. The sheer volume and diversity of participating institutions underscore a growing consensus: the administrative and strategic support provided by research managers is no longer a peripheral function but a core component of institutional success. As research funding becomes increasingly competitive and regulatory requirements more stringent, the demand for standardized, professional Research Management practices continues to rise. Explore our related articles for further reading on how administrative infrastructure impacts academic funding.
Leadership Perspectives on Professional Research Support
The inaugural event featured prominent voices from the highest levels of Hungarian academia and government, all of whom emphasized the necessity of professionalizing research support staff.
Institutional Investment Yields Tangible Results
Prof. Dr. Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Rector of Corvinus University of Budapest, welcomed the participants and articulated a clear vision for the future. He noted that achieving research excellence requires more than just hiring outstanding researchers; it demands robust, professional research support capacities. Rector van Pottelsberghe pointed to Corvinus University as a case study, highlighting that the institution’s deliberate investments in research support over recent years have directly resulted in measurable improvements in both overall research performance and successful grant activity. This perspective reinforces the idea that funding allocated to research administration is an investment with a high return.
Government Recognition of the Profession
Adding to this, Dr. Péter Horváth, State Secretary for Science Policy, addressed the assembly to underline the indispensable role that research support professionals play in the broader development of Hungary’s research and innovation system. The presence and remarks of a State Secretary signal that the government recognizes the need for a highly trained administrative workforce to execute national science policy effectively. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about aligning institutional strategies with national science policy objectives.
Endorsement from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Further validating the new association, Prof. Dr. Mihály Pósfai, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, sent a formal congratulatory message expressing strong support for HUNARMA. This endorsement from the nation’s most prestigious scientific body bridges the traditional gap between scientific researchers and the administrative professionals who support them.
Establishing HUNARMA: Leadership and Organizational Structure
A primary objective of the June 17 meeting was to transition the initiative from a conceptual phase into a formally structured organization. During the General Assembly, the attendees officially adopted the Association’s Statutes and elected its inaugural officers. Corvinus University played a highly active role in this process, with several of its staff members taking on leadership responsibilities within HUNARMA.
Judit Fekete, the Head of the Corvinus Centre for Grants and Projects, was elected Vice-Chair for Professional Coordination. Her election to this specific role is indicative of the association’s immediate priorities: standardizing practices and coordinating professional development across institutions. Additionally, Nándor Petrovics, a Senior Research Expert at Corvinus University, was elected as a member of the Executive Board, ensuring that deep research expertise informs the association’s strategic direction.
The foundational work of the association also relied heavily on Dr. Orsolya Lugmayer, Corvinus University’s Liaison Officer in Brussels. Dr. Lugmayer provided essential legal support throughout the establishment process, bringing an invaluable international and regulatory perspective to the Hungarian context. Furthermore, the broader team at the Corvinus Centre for Grants and Projects actively managed the logistics and preparation of the inaugural event. Have questions? Write to us! to discuss the structural benefits of university research offices.
Bridging Policy and Practice: The Core Mission of HUNARMA
The opening presentations at the founding meeting went beyond organizational formalities to deeply analyze the development opportunities within the Research Management profession. Speakers consistently highlighted the unique position occupied by research managers. Because they operate at the intersection of various stakeholders, they serve as a vital bridge connecting researchers, institutional leadership, funding organizations, and policymakers.
Historically, research administration was viewed purely as a compliance and accounting function. However, the discussions at the HUNARMA meeting reflected a modernized understanding of the role. Research managers possess direct insight into how national and international policy objectives, new regulatory frameworks, and complex funding requirements are translated into researchers’ everyday work. They are the professionals who interpret shifting European Union funding guidelines, adapt institutional protocols to match new national science strategies, and ensure that researchers can focus on their work rather than administrative burdens.
By formalizing this bridge through HUNARMA, professionals in Hungary can more effectively aggregate their on-the-ground insights and feed them back into the policy-making process. This two-way communication channel is essential for creating regulations and funding mechanisms that are not only ambitious but also practically implementable. Share your experiences in the comments below regarding how research administration has evolved in your sector.
Next Steps: Thematic Working Groups and Systemic Challenges
The launch of HUNARMA is not the conclusion of a process, but the beginning of a structured effort to improve the profession. The inaugural program concluded with the establishment of the Association’s first thematic working groups. These groups are designed to move beyond theoretical discussions and tackle actionable objectives.
The primary mandates of these working groups include:
- Identifying Systemic Challenges: Mapping out the recurring administrative, legal, and financial hurdles that research managers face across different Hungarian institutions.
- Developing Joint Solutions: Creating standardized templates, best-practice guidelines, and shared operational frameworks that individual institutions can adopt to reduce redundancy.
- Sharing Good Practices: Facilitating continuous professional exchange so that successful strategies developed at one university or research institute can be rapidly disseminated to others.
By focusing on these areas, HUNARMA aims to elevate the overall standard of Research Management in Hungary, making the country more competitive in securing international grants and executing complex, multi-institutional research projects.
Corvinus University’s Strategic Position in Academic Administration
For Corvinus University of Budapest, hosting the founding meeting of HUNARMA was a strategic demonstration of its commitment to operational excellence in research. The university did not merely provide a venue; it provided intellectual, organizational, and legal leadership to establish the association. The election of multiple Corvinus staff members to top leadership roles within HUNARMA further cements the university’s position as a central hub for research administration best practices in the region.
This aligns closely with Corvinus University‘s broader institutional strategy of heavily investing in support structures. As noted by the Rector, when administrative bottlenecks are removed and grant management is professionalized, researchers are empowered to pursue more ambitious, high-impact projects. The success of the Centre for Grants and Projects serves as an internal proof of concept for the very principles that HUNARMA will now promote on a national scale.
The Future of Research Administration in Central Europe
The establishment of HUNARMA reflects a broader, European-wide trend of professionalizing research support. As countries across the continent compete for Horizon Europe funding and other international grants, the quality of a nation’s research management infrastructure becomes a distinct competitive advantage. Associations like HUNARMA provide the necessary community and standards to ensure that this infrastructure is continuously improved.
For those following News Articles about academic development, the creation of this association is a clear indicator of maturity in Hungary’s research sector. It recognizes that scientific excellence is a collective achievement, requiring the synchronized efforts of investigators, administrators, and policymakers. As HUNARMA’s thematic working groups begin their work and the association grows its membership, the long-term impact on Hungary’s innovation ecosystem will be closely monitored by international academic observers. Submit your application today if you are interested in joining a forward-thinking academic community that values structural and scientific excellence equally.
