The previous leadership of HUN-REN could have received a severance payment of 21 million.

Two former leaders of the Hungarian Research Network received substantial salaries and benefits, including company cars and housing. Gulyás Balázs earned a gross monthly salary of 6,468,000 HUF, which increased to 7,050,000 HUF in March 2026, along with performance bonuses. Jakab Roland, the CEO, had an even higher salary, starting at 7,270,000 HUF and rising to 7,892,000 HUF. Both leaders faced criticism for their management and were eventually dismissed by the governing body. The Ministry of Science and Technology is working on legislation to return the research network under the Academy's oversight, aiming for a reorganization.