This year, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) once again announced its grant supporting the scientific advancement of researchers raising children. Dr. Ágnes Farkas, Associate Professor at the Institute of Pharmacognosy of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, successfully applied for the program.
The aim of the MTA initiative is to enable researchers to continue their scientific work successfully alongside their family responsibilities, helping those who balance academic careers with the challenges of private life. Within this framework, applicants could apply for support for writing a dissertation required for obtaining the title Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Category 1), as well as for publishing scientific results to support the reintegration of researchers raising young children (Category 2).
According to information published on the Academy’s website, a total of 57 valid applications were submitted in the latest call, covering the fields of humanities and social sciences, life sciences, and mathematical and natural sciences. Nineteen applications were submitted in Category 1 and thirty-eight in Category 2. Applicants in Category 1 could receive a gross grant of HUF 3,000,000, while those in Category 2 could be awarded a non-refundable scholarship of HUF 600,000.
The submitted applications were evaluated by expert committees representing the respective scientific fields, taking into account both professional and equal opportunity considerations, and proposals were made for funding. Based on these recommendations, the final decision on the awarded grants was made by the Secretary General of the MTA. This year, 15 applications in Category 1 and 25 in Category 2 received support, with a total funding amount of HUF 60 million.
Dr. Ágnes Farkas was successful in Category 1, within the Section of Biological Sciences. Her project was titled: “Pollination biology and nectar production of medicinal plants, and the quality and health effects of their varietal honeys.”
"For me, the greatest challenge in balancing work and family responsibilities is finding time for focused, in-depth creative work. Thanks to the support from the MTA, I can delegate some teaching and organizational tasks to my colleagues, allowing me to dedicate more time to writing my doctoral dissertation" - she said regarding the grant.
Dr. Farkas also applied in 2024, when she was successful in Category 2, which supports the publication of scientific results. At that time, her topic focused on the apicultural evaluation of Canadian goldenrod and common milkweed, and she committed to publishing her findings in a Q1-ranked international journal. “The support from the MTA made it possible for me to achieve this goal alongside my family and professional responsibilities, while also providing financial security” she noted at the time.
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