This scheme is no longer geared toward standalone development projects. Instead, it focuses on collaborations capable of delivering genuinely novel technical software outcomes with business applicability even at the EU level.
What amount of funding is available?
Based on the draft, the grant may range from HUF 75 million to HUF 500 million in the form of non-repayable funding. Projects may be implemented over a maximum period of 24 months, and development activities may take place anywhere in Hungary.
The submission period is expected to run from 14 August 2026 to 30 September 2026.
Advance payment may also be requested under the call: as a general rule, up to 50%, and under certain conditions, even up to 100%. At this scale, the scheme is clearly designed not for smaller development ideas, but for serious, complex digital R&D programmes.
What types of projects can be funded?
The focus is clear here as well: eligible projects are digital R&D initiatives linked to STEP critical digital technologies and aimed at creating new software outcomes with significant scientific or technical novelty. Supported developments may fall within software publishing, information technology services, data processing, and telecommunications.
The logic of the scheme is not to support general digitalisation investments, but rather projects in which the core of the R&D activity is genuinely linked to STEP-relevant digital technologies. At least 80% of the related costs must be allocated to such software-based R&D tasks, and experimental development must account for at least 50% of the project’s total eligible costs.
Who can apply?
One of the most important features of the scheme is that funding applications may only be submitted in consortium form. A consortium may consist of up to four members, and at least 65% of the funding must remain with for-profit enterprises. Micro-enterprises may only participate as consortium members and cannot apply as lead applicants.
On the business side, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large companies may apply, provided they have at least one full closed business year and an average statistical headcount of at least five employees. An important difference compared to smaller schemes is that, in this case, the combined net sales revenue of the participating companies must have reached HUF 150 million in the last full closed business year. The scheme is therefore clearly intended for organisations that already have substantial development and cooperation capacity.
Why is this scheme particularly interesting?
This call is not aimed at companies looking for support for a quick IT development project. It is particularly attractive for those thinking in terms of larger-scale digital R&D projects, strategic partnerships, and international market potential.
Since the call has been published in draft form, this period may be especially suitable for stakeholders to begin building their consortiums in time, refine the project logic, and assess whether their development concept genuinely meets the STEP and R&D requirements. This is no longer just another funding opportunity, but a serious gateway into the world of high value-added digital development.
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