Co-operation

incrEAST provides information about the scope and objectives of international co-operation in research, science and technology between Armenia and EECA countries, EU Member States and associated countries as well as about further opportunities for enhanced networking.

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Scope and objectives

Integration into intenrational scientific and technological system is one of the priorities of Armenia stated in the Law on Scientific and Technological Activity. During the years of independence certain steps have been undertaken towards inhancing international S&T cooperation. In 1992 the National Academy of Sciences of Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) joined the International Council for Science (ICSU). NAS RA is also a member of the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues, International Association of Academies of Sciences, and Council of Academies of Sciences of BSEC Countries.

Co-operation with EECA-countries, EU-member states and associated countries

NAS RA has cooperation agreements with the Academies of Sciences of Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Hungary, China and Memorandum of Understanding with Indian National Science Academy. 
Being among leading universities of Armenia Yerevan State University, State Engineering University of Armenia, and Yerevan State Medical University maintain wide international cooperation within cooperation agreements in the field of education and research with various universities and research centers of more than 30 countries of the world, including Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Japan, China, USA, and others.
On the intergovernment level during 1991-2005 S&T and/or cultural cooperation agreements  were signed with around 20 EECA and EU-member states, including France, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, UK, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
In 1999, Armenia and European Union signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which serves as legal basis for development of cooperation including in the field of S&T. New prospects for closer EU-Armenia cooperation were openned after inclusion of Armenia in the European New Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Initiative and further development of the ENP Action Plan aiming at contributing to sustainable economic development of the country. The ENP Action Plan includes the article on measures in the field of S&T incorporating points towards assisting in development of adequate S&T and Innovation policy system reformation activities and creation of independent peer-review structure for competitive selection of RTD projects in Armenia. It also contains an article stating the need for closer integration of Armenia into European Research Area through more active promotion of participation of Armenian research organizations in EU’s Framework Programmes. 
Inclusion of Armenia in the EU’s new Eastern Partnership Initiative officially launched in May 2009 will add a new multilateral framework for EU-Armenia relations in various fields of economy.      

EU-funded projects

International funding comprise important source of R&D funding in Armenia.   Figure 3 illustrates the dynamics of international funding of R&D in Armenia during 2001-2006. In 2006 the international funding amounted to more than 1,5 mln. USD, which made around 11,5 % of Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D.

Figure 3: Dynamics of International Funding of R&D in Armenia (2001-2006, mln. USD)

Source: Statsitical Yearbook 2007, State Statistical Service of Armenia, http:www.armstat.am

The major source of foreign funding for research in Armenia is the International Scientific & Technological Centre (ISTC). In 2006, ISTC contributed $ 2,118,016 in grant payments to Armenian beneficiary scientists within 10 funded projects. During 1996-2006, around 120 projects were financed by ISTC in Armenia with more than 30 mln. total budget. The Academic institutes received 40 grants with around 10 mln. USD total budget. In 2007, the number of successful ISTC projects was 12 in Armenia with more than 4,3 mln. USD total funding.   
During 1994-2004, 162 Armenian research teams received more than 2.8 mln. Euro grants within the framework of programmes of the International Association for the promotion of co-operation with scientists from the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union (INTAS). In 2002-2007 Armenia received the total of 602 043 EUR of funding for the research projects within INTAS Open and Thematic Calls. During the same time span Armenian young researchers received individual grants for 186 250 EUR within INTAS Young Scientists Fellowship Programme. In 2006, joint INTAS-South Caucasus Collaborative Call was launched on co-funding basis with 1.9 million Euro total budget within the framework of which 9 Armenian teams were granted more than 430.000 Euro. 
Around 1 mln. Euro was received by Armenian research organizations within EU’s 6th Framework program (2002-2006). Up to July 2008, Armenian teams were present in 55 submitted project proposals within FP7, out of which 9 were selected for mainlist with around 500.000 Euro funding.
Other important international sources of funding are the US Civil Research and Development Foundation and National Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies (until 2004, 235 grants with $4.3 mln. total cost), and NATO Science programme, particularly for infrastructure and equipment upgrading. 
Yerevan Physics Institute (YPI) is one of leading research centers involved in high-energy physics research with wide international collaboration. During 1996-2005 YPI researchers received more than $ 7 mln. international grants. It cooperates closely with accelerator laboratory DESY in Hamburg and the European Centre of Nuclear Research (CERN).

Source: CIT
last update: 15.05.2009