The designation of the Grantor has changed
In line with changes to ministerial responsibilities and powers, the new Guidelines clarify the designation of the Grantor. Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation is considered the Grantor until 13 May 2026, while from 14 May 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology assumes this role.
More favourable rules for the salary costs of new employees
The rules governing eligible salary costs under personnel-related expenditure have also changed. Under the previous Guidelines, in the case of a newly hired employee, the eligible salary cost could not exceed the annual average salary recorded in the year preceding employment for the relevant occupation classified under the FEOR system.
By contrast, the amended Guidelines provide that, for a newly hired employee, an amount complying with the limits specified in the relevant call for proposals may be claimed. This means that the salary of a newly recruited employee is no longer limited by the previous year’s average salary for the applicable FEOR occupation; instead, the salary ceiling specified in the relevant call must primarily be taken into account.
During the project implementation period, however, the indexation rules applicable to existing employees must also be applied to newly hired employees, and the salary claimed may not exceed the maximum amount specified in the call.
For existing employees, data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office linked to the relevant FEOR code continue to be used primarily when assessing the extent of salary increases. Where necessary, the increase must be justified individually for each employee, indicating the FEOR code and the annual percentage change.
The definition of lump-sum financing has been clarified
The wording of the section on lump-sum financing has also been amended. According to the new text, under this form of cost settlement, the project grant amount, or part of it, may be disbursed to the beneficiary once predefined conditions have been fulfilled.
The fundamental settlement rule remains unchanged: as a general rule, there is no possibility of proportionate payment of the grant. If the agreed performance is not completed in full, no grant may be paid. An exception may apply where proportionate payments are linked to predefined interim milestones set out in the grant document or grant agreement.
New rules for authenticating grant applications
One of the most important practical changes concerns the authentication of the declaration accompanying the grant application. The previous Guidelines permitted the use of a qualified electronic signature, AVDH authentication or, depending on the relevant call, an authorised signature on a paper-based document.
Under the current rules, the declaration must primarily be signed using a qualified electronic signature or an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate. If such a signature is unavailable, the ePapír/FEDOR service may be used. The authenticated declaration must be attached to the grant application, while the application itself must be submitted exclusively through the electronic application platform. There is no need to submit it separately in paper form or through the ePapír service.
The change also affects project information boards
The mandatory content of project information boards eligible under communication activities has also been amended. The board must continue to display the beneficiary’s name, the project title and implementation period, the amount of funding awarded, the name of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, and a statement that the funding is provided from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund. However, the date on which the Grantor’s responsibilities were transferred must now be taken into account when indicating the name of the ministry. The Ministry of Culture and Innovation must be displayed until 13 May 2026, and the Ministry of Science and Technology from 14 May 2026.
In view of these changes, applicants and beneficiaries should review not only their internal procedures for submitting grant applications, but also their salary cost planning, settlement documentation and project communication materials.
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