Hungary’s NRDIO Launches 2026 Funding Program for Domestic and International IP Protection

The National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) in Hungary has unveiled its Industrial Property Protection Funding program for 2026, designed to assist innovators, researchers, businesses, and organizations in securing intellectual property (IP) protection both domestically and internationally.

Funded through the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, the program’s primary objective is to strengthen IP protection while fostering innovation, commercialization, and the effective utilization of intellectual assets.

Eligible applicants include legal entities established within the European Economic Area (EEA) that operate a branch office in Hungary. These entities can apply for financial support covering a variety of industrial property protection activities.

The funding encompasses patent applications, trademark registrations, industrial design protections, plant variety protections, as well as procedures related to European patent validation and international patent filings.

Specifically, the program supports applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), providing assistance for both the initial filing and the subsequent national or regional phases.

Applicants may receive up to HUF 500,000 per country for costs associated with full patent specification translations, a significant expense in international patent protection.

To participate, applicants must submit a finalized proposal that includes a declaration verifying electronic submission, authenticated via an approved electronic signature or authentication service. This declaration must be attached before submission.

The program emphasizes the importance of protecting intellectual property as a critical step in transforming innovative ideas into valuable commercial assets, thereby contributing to research, innovation, and sustained economic growth.

All activities funded under the program must be completed within the designated funding period to ensure compliance.

By reducing the financial barriers associated with obtaining IP protection, the NRDIO’s 2026 funding initiative aims to empower Hungarian innovators and businesses to expand their reach and competitiveness in international markets.

This program represents a strategic investment in Hungary’s innovation ecosystem, supporting the country’s broader goals of fostering technological advancement and economic development through robust intellectual property management.