HUN-REN CSILLAGASZATI ES FOLDTUDOMANYI KUTATOKOZPONT

Their core work

HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences is Hungary's leading research institute for astrophysics, planetary science, and Earth observation. They specialize in stellar evolution modeling, nuclear astrophysics, protoplanetary disk dynamics, and small body characterization — working with data from ESA missions like Herschel, Gaia, and XMM-Newton. Their research spans from understanding how stars form and evolve to practical applications like ground-penetrating radar for planetary and terrestrial exploration. They also contribute to European astronomical infrastructure networks, supporting access to optical and radio telescopes across the continent.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2016–2019), the centre focused on fundamental astrophysics — characterizing asteroids and transneptunian objects with radiometric techniques (SBNAF), studying accretion disk physics (SACCRED), and nuclear processes in stars (RADIOSTAR, IPUSS). From 2021 onward, their work shifted toward applied and infrastructure-oriented activities: UAV-based radar for Earth and Mars exploration (FlyRadar), intelligent systems for star formation modeling (NEMESIS), and deeper integration into pan-European astronomical infrastructure (ORP, ChETEC-INFRA). There is a clear trend from pure observational astrophysics toward computational modeling, multi-mission data exploitation, and cross-disciplinary applications connecting space science with Earth observation.

They are moving from pure observational science toward computational astrophysics, ESA data exploitation, and dual-use technologies (space/Earth radar), making them increasingly relevant for applied space and Earth observation consortia.

How they like to work

With a perfect 50/50 split between coordinator and participant roles across 10 projects, this centre is equally comfortable leading and contributing. Their coordinated projects tend to be focused ERC and MSCA grants (SACCRED, RADIOSTAR, IPUSS, MATISSE, NEMESIS) driven by individual research excellence, while their participant roles are in large infrastructure consortia (OPTICON, ORP, ChETEC-INFRA). With 91 unique partners across 27 countries, they are a well-connected hub in European astronomy — a strong signal that they integrate smoothly into diverse international teams.

Highly networked with 91 unique consortium partners spanning 27 countries, reflecting deep integration into the European astronomical research community. Their infrastructure project participation (OPTICON, ORP, ChETEC-INFRA) connects them to virtually every major observatory and astrophysics lab in Europe.

What sets them apart

This centre combines two rare strengths: individual research excellence (winning competitive ERC Starting and Consolidator grants) with deep infrastructure network membership across European astronomy. For consortium builders, they offer a Budapest-based partner that brings both scientific leadership capacity and established connections to pan-European telescope and nuclear astrophysics facilities. Their emerging radar exploration work also bridges space science with Earth observation — a crossover few pure astronomy institutes can offer.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RADIOSTAR
  Largest single grant (EUR 1.73M ERC Consolidator) — studying how radioactive elements travel from stars to planetary systems, signaling top-tier individual research recognition.
• SACCRED
  EUR 1.37M ERC Starting Grant on accretion disk dynamics and planet formation — demonstrates the centre's ability to win highly competitive personal excellence funding.
• FlyRadar
  A clear pivot toward applied technology — UAV-mounted ground-penetrating radar for both Mars and Earth exploration, connecting space science with practical prospecting applications.