Research Policy

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

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Context of research policy

The S&T activities in Georgia are regulated by 2 legal acts: “Law on Science and Technologies and their Development”, and the “Law of Georgia on Higher Education”. The Intellectual Property protection system effective at present in Georgia comprises all the elements necessary for its functioning. Georgia is a party to all the main international agreements concerning IPR.
The Government (Ministry of Education and Science) intents to elaborate principles for science and higher education development and main directions for scientific research and ways for integration to the European Research Area. In the process of development of a new system, organisation, administration and financing of S&T the Government cooperate with foreign experts and rely on information and experiences of running scientific systems in EU member states.

Research policy: objectives and priorities

The Government is willing to develop S&T policies, to identify the S&T priority areas for Georgia in order to concentrate resources in these areas, and to enhance linkages between the users of research, whether enterprises or public organisations, and research producers so that outputs can be exploited more effectively.  
Main objectives and priorities include:

1. Overall assessment and comparative analysis of the existing situation in S&T in Georgia.
2. Drafting a National Strategy on the Development of S&T in Georgia and its adaptation to European standards.
3. Elaboration of a programme for the commercialization of the results in scientific research and for the participation to appropriate European programmes.
4. Elaboration of special programmes to support researchers in their research activities.

Policy making and coordination

The main ministry responsible for S&T policy is the Ministry of Education and Science. The Ministry coordinates the general horizontal policies and infrastructure development for S&T, as well as for funding research in its area of expertise.
Amendments to “Law on Science and Technologies and their Development” made in December 2004 have initiated changes in structure and management of S&T. In particular The Georgian National Science Foundation (GNSF) was established by Presidential Decree # 653 (July 2005) as a Public Legal Entity to promote the progress of science by implementing competitive granting system. In May, 2007 Rustaveli Foundation (Foundation for Georgian Studies, Humanities and Social Sciences) was established as a Legal Entity of Public Law.
Around 100 S&T organisations/institutes (most of which at that time belonged to Academy of Sciences) had become independent entities of public law and were given the choice: to proceed their activities in this new status and (having limited basic funding) compete for grants of GNSF; merge each other to joint capacity and efforts; integrate to universities; close down. As a result, number of S&T organisations/institutes reduced to 66 and nowadays the Ministry fulfils general coordination of their activities and provides basic funds.
The participation of universities and S&T organisations in various programmes implemented by GNSF has become effective instrument for optimisation their size and structure since all this programmes are of competitive granting nature.
Essential role in coordination of activities of universities and S&T organisations plays gradually developing system of information-consultation services, especially in facilitation of international cooperation.
A new system of coordination and management of S&T should ensure in-time and effective implementation of policies as well as the existence of permanent feedback and evaluation necessary for making adequate decisions. This system should allow optimal allocation of national financial and technical resources to support S&T as well as for adequate development of S&T community.

National research programmes

1. Support of Research Activities
   • Establishment of Competitive Frame for S&T Development (National Competitive Grants for S&T Projects)
   • Provision of State Stipends to Georgian grantees of NATO scientific programmes: “Science for Peace” and “Networking Infrastructure Grants”
2. R&D Commercialisation
   • GNSF-CRDF Joint Funding for STEP Business Partnership Projects in 2007- 2008
   • GNSF-ISTC Joint Funding for Georgian R&D Projects with innovative potential
3. Support of Young Scientists
   • Presidential stipends
   • I. Vekua Award in mathematics and ICT; Iv. Beritashvili Award in life sciences
   • GNSF-CRDF Joint Funding - Georgian National Science Scholars (NSS-2007) Programme
   • State Grants for Organisation of the Summer Schools;
   • GNSF-CNRS First Joint Call for Bilateral Research Projects
4. International cooperation
   • Cooperative programmes and jointly funded activities with: CRDF, STCU, ISTC, CNRS
   • State Grants for Organisation International Scientific Conferences in Georgia
5. Mobility
   • Travel grants to Georgian researchers for participation in international scientific events
6. Development of S&T infrastructure
   • Infrastructure Grants
   • Grants for Universities Libraries
7. Popularization of science
   • New Program: “Scientific-Popular Lectures for Public Schools”

Source: GNSF
Last up-date: 26 May 2010