Research Policy

In this section, incrEAST offers information on national research policies, structures, programmes and organisations in Armenia.

---

Context of research policy

It is widely accepted fact that at the current stage of the development of the society research, development and innovation (RDI) can become determining factors for sustainable economic development, increasing the country’s competitiveness in international market and key to solving many social problems. But in the early years of transition, the Armenian government, in condition of drastic economic crises, ethnic conflicts in the region, and social transformations, was not eager and in no position to formulate and enforce adequate S&T policy.

The efforts of the scientific community were mainly directed to solving arising problems and preserve as much of the inherited from the former USSR R&D potential as possible. Thus, it can be stated that until the late 1990s, the matter of S&T policy-making and priority setting was not a major concern of the political actors in Armenia. During those years the RTD sector has been existing or better say “surviving” in the country by itself with very weak links and hardly any contribution to development of national economy.

Research policy: objectives and priorities

The only major step in S&T policy during the early 1990s, was the government decision to implement thematic (project based) financing of science. There were also several unsuccessful attempts of creating science and technology council subordinated either to the president or prime minister.  

Nowadays a pressing challenge for Armenia is the reformation of its S&T and innovation system in accordance with the requirements of the market economy and needs of economic development.

Policy-making and coordination

In December 2000, the Armenian Parliament adopted the Law on Scientific and Technological Activity aiming at regulating interrelations between R&D performers, state bodies, and R&D outcome consumers, as well as outlining general principles of formation and implementation of state policy in the field of S&T. The Law prescribes the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) as state authorized body to develop and coordinate S&T policy-making.

The Statute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (NAS RA) was approved by the government in April 2002, as of the highest scientific organization coordinating basic research throughout the country and official scientific advisor to the government. It gave the Academy a status of a state non-profit non-commercial organization.

By government resolution as of September 2006, the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development was recognized as authorized body responsible for development and implementation of innovation policy, in co-operation and coordination with other concerned ministries and organizations. The aforementioned situation was indicative of fragmented character of policy-making in S&T and innovation, and poor interlink and cooperation between these organizations.

To improve the policy-making and better coordination in the field of S&T, in October 2007 the government made a decision on creation of the State Committee of Science empowered to carry out integrated S&T policy in the country. This structure is subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science, but with wider power of independent activity. The Committee is also responsible for development and implementation of research programmes in the country through three main financing mechanisms: thematic (project based) financing, basic financing and special purpose projects.

During this period several other governmental acts and decisions have been adopted directed to regulation of S&T and innovation policy in the country.
In April 2001, the government approved the concept on development of science in Armenia, which stated S&T development as priority task for the state, and necessitated implementation of profound reforms in this field.

In May 2001, the government approved the concept on development of information technology industry in Armenia. It emphasizes the existence of adequate potential in the country for development of IT sector, and need for further improvement of infrastructure and legislation supporting development of IT industry.

In August 2002, the government issued a resolution on Science and Technology Development Priorities in the Republic of Armenia.

These priorities are as follows:

• Armenian studies
• Basic research promoting applied research of vital importance
• Special-purpose research
• Information technologies
• Advanced technologies (biotechnology, nanotechnology)
• New energy sources
• Risk factors and human health
• New materials

In January 2005, the government approved the concept of innovation activity in the Republic of Armenia. The main aim of this document was the formulation of general approaches and principles of the state policy directed to consistent creation and development of national innovation system, and its basic elements and infrastructure, capable of ensuring sustainable development of the country and increasing its competitiveness, and creating favorable innovation environment for international economic co-operation.  

Based on this concept, the government approved action plan 2005-2010 in November 2005, directed to creation and development of innovation system in Armenia, which suggests around 20 measures to be implemented during the stated period.

In May 2006 the Law on State Support to Innovation Activity was adopted, which was one of the measures of the Action Plan 2005-2010, and which defined legal and economic bases of national innovation policy formation and implementation, and forms of state support to innovation activity in the Republic of Armenia.

The Government’s decision “Conception on Improvements in Science Sector in the Republic of Armenia” adopted in July 2007 sets several clear targets for action and improvements in the field of S&T. Some of the primary steps defined in the document are setting up clear cut priorities, gradual increasing of science funding in parallel with reformation and improvement of science sector, redefining funding forms and mechanisms, introduction of independent peer-review and expertise system for project selection, modernization of infrastructures, fostering commercialization of scientific outcome.

Source:CIT
last updated: 15.05.2009