The Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS) is the most important and prestigious scientific institution in Hungary. It was founded in 1825 by Count István Széchenyi, one of the country’s leading statesmen at the time, and currently has more than 1,700 members. HAS plays a key role in promoting Hungarian science both domestically and internationally, and its activities are financed primarily by the state.
HAS has eleven research institutes, which cover a wide range of disciplines from the natural sciences to the humanities. The institute directors are elected by HAS members for six-year terms. HAS also has a number of other scientific bodies that are responsible for specific tasks or fields of research. These include the National Scientific and Technical library, which is Hungary’s largest library specializing in science and technology; the Museum of Applied Arts; and the Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences.
One of HAS’s most important functions is to provide financial support for Hungarian scientists working abroad as well as for foreign scientists conducting research in Hungary. In addition, HAS offers scholarships for young scientists to study abroad, organizes conferences and symposia on various topics related to science and technology, publishes a number of scientific journals, and provides input into government policy on science and technology issues.