MTA establishes and maintains research institutes in the fields of the natural and social sciences. It also operates such other institutions of learning as libraries, archives, systems of information, etc. as well as it subsidises research groups at universities and public collections.Currently, there are 47 research institutes operated by MTA. Corporate supervision of the research network is performed by the Council of Research Institues (CRI).

CRI has 15 members. Its chair is the Academy's General Secretary, 11 of its members are nominated by the 11 scientific sections from among their public-law association members employed not as directors in the research network, on the recommendation of their members active in the research network. Nominees are then elected for membership in the CRI by the General Assembly. Another 3 members with voice but no vote are delegated by the Goverment from among leading officials of goverment agencies whose experience in administration or research organisation may contribute to the efficient governance of the Academy's research network.

The exact procedural and operational rules of setting up the CRI are given in the Statutes.

It is the duty of CRI
a) to approve the objectives and duties of units of the research network;

b) to determine the standards and indicators of evaluating of performance of those duties;

c) to recommend budgetary support for each institution;

d) to recommend how the Academy's resources earmarked for research investments should be designated and targeted;

e) to recommend the division of available posts for young researchers among field of science and research units;

f) to evaluate the progress reports, activities, and management system of research centres, institues, and units;

g) to submit a report to the General Assembly on the acitivies of research units;

h) to comment on the Academy's draft report to the Government on the performance of its public duties;

i) to approve the organisational and operational regulations of research centres institues, and OSRU;

j) to nominate members into the external counselling bodies of research institutes;

k) to designate professional commitees assisting groups of institutes in the natural, the life, and the social sciences respectively to prepare their decisions more professionally.

President: 
Németh, Tamás, F.M., General Secretary of MTA

Secretary:
Banczerowski, Januszné, D.Sc., Dept. Head

Members Elected by the General Assembly of HAS:
Aradi, Zsolt, Dept. Head, Ministry of Finance,
Balla, Gergely, State Secretary, Ministry of National Development and Economy
Hunyady, László, D.Sc. Katona, Gyula, F.M.
Kőmíves, Tamás, C.M.
Lovas, Rezső, C.M.
Mentes, Gyula, D.Sc.
Nádai, László, Dept. Head, Ministry of Education and Culture, Department of Science Policy
Patthy, László, F.M.
Pukánszky, Béla, C.M.
Rechnitzer, János, D.Sc.
Somfai, László, F.M.
Szász, Zoltán, Candidate of History
Szirányi, Tamás, D.Sc.

Standing Members:
President of HAS: Pálinkás, József, F.M.

Representative of The Council of the Research Institutes'
Directors: Bedő, Zoltán, C.M.

Deputy General Secretary of HAS: Csépe, Valéria, C.M.

Chairs of Boards of Curators:

Sulik, Béla, D.Sc. (Mathematical and Natural Sciences)

Vass, Imre, D.Sc. (Life Sciences)

Marosi, Ernő, F.M. (Social Sciences)

Kindert, Judit, Dept. Head, The President's Secretariat

Zilahy, Péter, PhD., Dept. Head, The Secretariat of the Secretary General