Research Structure

On this page, incrEAST provides an overview of the research and technology potential of Armenia.

---

Research structure

In Armenia R&D was one of core sectors of economy before the collapse of the USSR. The independent Armenia inherited quite ramified and developed network of research and education institutions distributed among Academic, university and branch/enterprise sectors.

The present R&D infrastructure in Armenia can be characterized as combination of features of centrally organized administrative system and new elements that have appeared on the way of transition to market economy. It can be stated that progress in integrated science, technology, and innovation-related policy-making in  Armenia during last decade of transition period has been rather modest and has largely failed to keep pace with other areas of social, political, and economic changes.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS RA) with its around 35 research institutions exists without major systemic and functional changes and is the main R&D performer in the country. Table 1 shows the number of R&D institutions in Armenia according to branch subordination.

Table 1: Number of R&D Institutions in Armenia by branch subordination (1991 total, 2001-2007)

Insttutions/Year	1991	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Ministry of Trade & Economic Development	-	17	20	19	16	18	17	-
Ministry of Healthcare	-	11	12	12	11	11	11	-
Ministry of Energy	-	5	4	5	5	5	5	-
Ministry of Agriculture	-	11	11	12	10	10	10	-
Ministry of Education and Science	-	-	1	2	3	7	7	-
National Academy of Sciences	-	37	40	41	41	42	41	-
Other	-	10	8	8	7	9	10	-
TOTAL	124	91	96	99	93	102	101	89

Source: Data of National Statistical Service of Armenia (http://www.armstat.am/)

Figure 1, shows dynamics of R&D personnel for 1991 and 1997-2007, and Figure 2, dynamics of GERD/GDP ration for 1990 and 1996-2007. All these comparative figures are indicative of significant downsizing of R&D intensity and input indicators in Armenia for the mentioned period.

 Figure 1: Dynamics of R&D Personnel, 1991, 1997-2007

Source: Statistical Yearbook of Armenia, 2008. National Statistical Service of Armenia.

 

Figure 2: Dynamics of GERD/GDP ratio in Armenia (1990, 1996-2007)

Source: Statistical Yearbook of Armenia, 2008, and Statistical Data Book, Science in the Republic of Belarus, 2001.

As it has been mentioned the NAS RA institutes remain to be the main R&D performers in the country.  In November 2006 the Armenian government adopted resolution on optimization of the Academy infrastructure and restructuring of some of its institutes through amalgamation and creation of scientific and technological centers. This decision was aimed at improving coordination of research activity in the institutes involved in overlapping or close research disciplines, more efficient use of scarce financial resources and promoting commercialization of research outcomes.  For example, Scientific&Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry was created through amalgamation of the Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Molecule Structure Research Center.

At present there are three main R&D funding mechanisms in Armenia implemented via State Committee of Science within the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia, as follows: 

• thematic (project based) financing;
• basic financing;
• special purpose research projects

The thematic financing was introduced in 1992, which was then a progressive step that had several positive results, as, for instance, general democratization of entire science system,   cutting down of overlapping research teams and projects, and possibility to have overall picture of research projects conducted in the country. However, the allocated funds were mainly directed towards paying salaries. Thus, science in Armenia was deprived of the ability to carry out an integrated policy in the field of fundamental research, to ensure  re-orientation of its potential, to initiate new research trends, to provide effective organizational and financial support to research institutes, and to stimulate investigations. Existence of only thematic financing mechanism had also its negative aspects, as, for instance, weakening of integrated research activity and disintegration of infrastructure on the institutes level. Based on this the government made a decision on introduction of basic financing mechanism in 1998, and, later in 2002, special purpose research projects’ financing mechanism.

Thus, thematic financing is directed to individual researchers and small research groups. Basic financing is allocated to research institutes for carrying out research in the field of general priority of the institute and maintenance of research infrastructure. Special purpose (targeted) financing is intended for important innovative wide-scale research and technological projects, which can incorporate several institutions, including industry and SMEs. There are no data on R&D financing from private sector but it can be stated that funds for research from and within private sector are mainly directed toward specific applications or development of specific products, and are still insignificant. According to data of Armenian Statistical Service, in 2006, the Gross Domestic Expenditure for R&D amounted to around 11 mln. Euro in Armenia.

Source: CIT
last update: 15.05.2009