EN
Publicly financed non-university research institutions became a subject of sharp debate and attacks in the 1990s in several West European countries. The article covers the main factors behind the disputes and the government measures that brought significant change in the profiles and modes of operation of the institutions concerned. In the light of the developments in Western Europe, it looks at whether there have been or can be expected to be similar imminent changes in Hungary. The situation of the Hungarian research institutes is analysed mainly through statistics on R & D. An attempt to answer the question is made using these and the medium-term policy strategy for science, technology and innovation adopted in 2007.