The Foundation of Contemporary Research was set up in 1989, and incorporated in 1990, in order to carry out documentation of, and research into, the political transition. Its first seat was at 8 Corvin Square in Budapest. At the time of its establishment, almost 40 researchers and 9 academic institutes (mostly with the profile of sociology or political science) became a part of its activities. Later its seat moved into the Department of Political Sciences of ELTE University of Budapest (until 1999), then to 9 Sas Street (until 2016 when the Foundation ceased to exist).