Zoltán Bács, Rector of the University of Debrecen, emphasized in connection with the November event that it is fantastic that students, faculty and universities in Hungary can once again participate in the Erasmus+ mobility and Horizon Europe research programs. We can now also access funding and take advantage of opportunities to study, teach and gain professional experience abroad. With these choices available again, it is not going to be just the University of Debrecen that may continue to welcome European students, as it has consistently done over the past few years.
The head of the university added that the unlocking of EU funds would also provide fresh momentum for the development of education, research and innovation infrastructure, including energy-efficiency investments (which is a strategic goal for our university), the expansion of dormitory capacity and the construction of new student residences.
Vice-Rector for International Affairs Attila Jenei mentioned that significant efforts had been invested in recent years to maintain the university’s network of international institutional partnerships.
- We consider it delightful that the resources and opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ and Horizon programs have once again become available to our students and researchers. This decision, which brings an end to the situation caused by a long period of political turbulence, not only guarantees the continuity of mobility programs but is also crucial to maintain the international strategy of our university. Our goal continues to be to provide our students and researchers with opportunities to gain international experience at the highest level- said the Vice-Rector for International Affairs.
The Hungarian Tempus Public Foundation has already sent the Erasmus+ grant agreement to the University of Debrecen, on the basis of which travel under the program can now be resumed.
- Based on this, our institution has received funding for as many as 340 mobilities in the 2026/2027 academic year. The larger volumes of travel within the Erasmus+ program are expected to take place during the spring semester of the 2026/2027 academic year through study-abroad trips and summer professional internships, but actual travel will commence as early as the signing of the grant agreement on October 22- said Orsolya Jánosy, Director of the Centre for International Relations at the University of Debrecen.
Jánosy Orsolya also added that the first group of students would be able to leave in early November as part of a Blended Intensive Program (BIP). Further mobility opportunities under the Erasmus+ program are already available, and calls for scholarship applications for the next academic year will be announced in February.
Ferenc Kun, President for Research and Innovation at the University of Debrecen, explained that, beyond student mobility, the Erasmus+ program also supports joint curriculum development, knowledge transfer and university-industry partnerships, most notably through the “Alliances for Innovation” initiative. These efforts primarily focus on developing the skills and collaborations essential for innovation.
- In addition, our institution will gain access to joint projects within international research consortia (such as Horizon Europe), ERC grants (which support the independent, pioneering research of outstanding scientists and the development of their research groups), international doctoral networks, Marie Skłodowska-Curie programs (which facilitate the hosting of postdoctoral researchers and the acquisition of international experience), as well as the EIC Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator programs, designed to support the utilization of research results- listed the President for Research and Innovation. He also remarked that, following a council decision, the University of Debrecen had participated in the NeurotechEU project as an associated member over the past three years. However, it is expected that, in the project’s new phase, starting in 2027, the University of Debrecen will once again be able to contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the project as a full partner.
The flag of the European Union was hoisted on the Main Building by President of the Erasmus Student Network in Debrecen Abigél Péter along with Vice-Presidents Tibor Rózsa and Boróka Mihály.
Press Centre