National Research Excellence Programme (NKKP)

NKKP STARTING_26 — Starting Research Projects

Supports early-career Hungarian researchers through foundational grants for long-duration projects.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

STARTING_26 is the early-career track of Hungary's National Research Excellence Programme (NKKP), administered by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH). The NKKP was announced as the institutional successor to the OTKA research grant system and is funded through the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund with a combined HUF 40 billion budget allocated across six sub-programmes for 2026–2030. STARTING_26 specifically targets starting researchers — those at an early stage of their independent research careers — who are conducting fundamental research at Hungarian universities or recognized research organizations.

Awards under STARTING_26 reach up to HUF 100 million per project over a fixed 48-month duration, with all funded projects starting 1 January 2027. As with other NKKP tracks, experimental research projects may access an optional 25% supplemental allocation for material costs on top of the base award. Eligibility is limited to researchers based at Hungarian institutions; for-profit organizations may not apply. The submission deadline for the 2026 cycle was 24 February 2026 at 16:00, meaning this cycle has closed; the next cycle is expected in 2027 in line with the NKKP's annual call cadence.

The STARTING_26 track occupies the smallest award tier in the NKKP family, below ADVANCED_26 (HUF 120 million) and EXCELLENCE_26 (HUF 160 million), reflecting its positioning as a launchpad for independent research careers rather than a continuation of established programs. Applications are prepared and submitted through palyazat.gov.hu, Hungary's unified government grant application platform. Researchers planning for the next cycle should monitor nkfih.gov.hu for the 2027 announcement, as NKFIH has signaled NKKP will continue as a recurring instrument through at least 2030.