The National Association for Student Research (OTDT) was established in Hungary in 1973 to coordinate scientific and artistic student circles organised at the level of higher education institutions. Accordingly, OTDT’s task is to represent, support and unite students engaged in scientific activities at higher education institutions and the teachers and researchers who support and assist them at a national level, to ensure the conditions for the functioning of the professional committees that play a central role in the Hungarian tradition of associations for student research, and to organise scientific events and forums of a national nature.
Every two years, OTDT organises the National Student Research Conference (OTDK), which presents the scientific achievements of the most outstanding students and colleges in the framework of an evaluation forum, validated by a panel of experts, professors and academics.
Recognising the importance of the TDK and the OTDK, the OTDT, which brings them together, has been granted independent legal personality by the National Higher Education Act from 1 January 2021, with the Act also stipulating that the resources necessary for the operation of the OTDT and the organisation of the OTDKs are provided by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.