Research Structure

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

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S&T Background

 (Up to 2004, the year of adoption of the new Code on Science and Innovation which marked the turning point for the development of science and innovation in the Republic of Moldova)

Analysis of the science area development in Moldova within the last 30-40 years has shown that it was developing mainly on the basis of both social requests and direct and indirect industrial needs. Historically, Moldova has been an agrarian republic, which reached good achievements in large-scale agricultural production. Mild moderate climate and advantageous geographical location in the Central part of Europe contributed to the increase on population. Mechanization in the agrarian sector led to the increase in people amount, which were not involved into this kind of production.

Since 1990s the Moldovan science has passed through a period of degradation. This led to the exodus of scientists abroad and ruination of the scientific and technical patrimony. The scientific potential was reduced by more than three times from 20 to 6 thousands researchers. The number of doctors-habilitat and doctors of science has decreased by one and a half time.

Due to the conservative forms and lack in flexibility with regard to the development of science and as a result of social changes in the Republic of Moldova, science was not demanded. Consequently, in the first years of independence the area of science and innovation had only inertial character, completely ignoring the needs of society, responsibility for the quality and condition of research elaborations, and have degraded significantly. The material research base, without capital investments in science and without renovation with new research instruments and tools, have been rapidly destroyed. However, the intellectual level of Moldovan scientists and researchers has remained rather high. This situation has become the result of the lack of balanced state policy in the sphere of science and innovation at that time, successful forms of its organization and transparent ways of budget financing. The prestige of research and innovation activity was extremely low, wits connection with the educational system was only formal, the forms of science organisation remained unchanged and conservative, and the legislative framework had a rather regressive than stimulating character.

The main reason of the scientific potential decline was the sudden reduction of investments in science.  In conditions when investments in scientific research constitute less than 1% of GDP this definitely leads to degradation of science and innovation. Thus, after gaining independence, the funding of science in the Republic of Moldova varied between 0.73 % (in 1990) and 0.18% (2000-2001) share of GDP, this index being in a continuous decrease.

The necessity of reform in Moldovan science matured. The reform in science began in 2004. The Code on Science and Innovation was ratified by Parliament on the Initiative of President of the Republic of Moldova on July 15, 2004. 

Characterisation of the Research System

The main legal act which regulates the activities in the S&T domain of the Republic of Moldova is the Code on Science and Innovation. This code regulates legal relations related to the elaboration and implementation of the state policy in the field of science and innovations, activity in the field of scientific researches, innovations and transfer of technologies, scientific-technological information, accreditation of organisations in the field of science and innovations, attestation of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel of highest qualification, protection of intellectual property, legal status of entities in the field of science and innovations.The Code was adopted on July 15, 2004 and it marked a turning year in the development of science and innovation in the country.

The Code was adopted on July 15, 2004 and it marked a turning year in the development of science and innovation in the country. Thus, the Code introduced two most essential changes in the role of the Academy of Sciences in science and innovation and these are: 

1) The Academy of Sciences becomes the sole public institution of national importance in the field of science and innovation, the plenipotentiary coordinator of the scientific and innovational activities, the supreme scientific forum and scientific adviser to the public authorities. 
2) The Academy of Sciences is authorised with the Government’s competence in the field of scientific research, reinforced by the Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Moldova (presently for the period of 2009-2012). The Agreement authorises the Academy to distribute all State funds designed for scientific research, allocated on a competition basis.

Besides, the Agreement stipulates the strategic priorities in the development of science and innovation, which are coordinated with the strategic directions stipulated by the European Union:

• Consolidation of the State of Law and utilisation of cultural heritage with the perspective of Euopean integration;
• Efficient utilisation of human, natural and information resources for sustainable development;
• Biomedicine, pharmaceutics and human health;
• Agricultural biotechnology, soil fertility and food security;
• Nanotechnology, industrial engineering, new materials and products;
• Efficient growth of the energetic complex, assurance of energetic security, including the use of renewable resources.

Specific priorities and objectives for the period 2011-2014 are currently undergoing a process of consultation with the scientific community.

Structure of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova

The Assembly is the supreme leading body of the Academy of Sciences. It consists of full and corresponding members: 78 doctors habilitat elected for a term of four years, representing the scientific community of the Republic of Moldova. The Assembly approves the by-laws of the Academy of Sciences and elects the President of the Academy of Science.

It approves once in 4 years the Partnership agreement, confirms the policy of the Academy of Science in the fields of science and innovation while implementing the strategy of this policy. It is competent to approve representatives of divisions in the Assembly and to elect representatives of the scientific community, including institutions of higher education, as members of Supreme Council for science and technological development.

The Assembly examines and decides on the annual report regarding the activity results in the science and innovation field. In addition, it examines and approves programs and strategies related to this field. It determines strategic directions in the science and innovation field.

The Supreme Council for Science and Technological Development (SCSTD) is the executive body of the Assembly. It consists of 17 members: the President of ASM, the First Deputy President, two Deputy Presidents and General Scientific Secretary, division coordinators of ASM and 6 representatives of the scientific community, including higher education institutions as well as the State Agency on Intellectual Property, elected by the Assembly for a four-year term.

SCSTD coordinates the elaboration of both the state programs, international scientific and scientific-technical programs in the science and innovation field and mechanisms for their implementation and monitoring. It coordinates and stimulates the activity in the field of innovation and technology transfer.

Its competence is distribution of the budget allocations on the basis of the Partnership Agreement and according to the strategic directions in the science and innovation field. SCSTD also organises state-financed competition of the projects and designs mechanisms of monitoring, stimulation and implementation of state programs in the science and innovation field, development of markets for products in this field, etc.

Within the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, three scientific divisions and two subdivisions are presently active:

• Division of Natural and Life Sciences, which includes 2 subdivisions on medical sciences and agricultural sciences;
• Division of Exact and Economic Sciences;
• Division of Social Sciences and Humanities;

Evaluation of institutions and accreditation of scientists is handled by the National Council for Attestation and Accreditation (NCAA). The accreditation system of institutions from the fields of science and innovation gives them an opportunity to qualify for financial support from state budgetary funds.

The State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) has been created on the basis of the Code of Science and Innovation. It represents the Republic of Moldova at the World Intellectual Property Organization and other international and interstate organisations for intellectual property protection. AGEPI supports, cooperates and deepens relations with those organisations as well as with profiling agencies of individual other states.

The Agency on Innovation and Technology Transfer (AITT), created and charged - according to the Code on Science and Innovation - with implementing innovation and technology transfer policies and strategies, also promotes the development of innovation infrastructure within the country.

Main tasks of AITT include:

a) implementation of policies in the field of innovation and technology transfer;
b) consulting on the development of policy and legal framework for innovation infrastructure;
c) devising strategic directions for innovation and technology transfer activities that will be reflected in programmes and projects at all levels;
d) deepening and reinforcing relations between research institutions, universities and businesses;
e) coordinating the creation of innovation and technology transfer infrastructure;
f) business assistance in the field of innovation and technology transfer.

In July 2007 the Law on Science and Technology Parks and Innovation Incubators No. 138-XVI of 21.06.2007 was approved, and fiscal incentives were granted to residents of science and technology parks and innovation incubators: 

1.  Exemption from payment of VAT (20%) on goods and services imported from abroad and on those bought in the Republic of Moldova. 
2.  Exemption from payment of customs taxes (5%) on imported goods and services.. 
3.  Exemption from payment of income tax for three tax periods. 
4.  Low tariffs on premises leasing and on public utilities for residents of the science and technology park or innovation incubator.

Additionally, these residents benefit from reduced rent rates for production facilities and offices. What is more, 95% of patent costs will be covered by AGEPI.

Created in 2007, the science technology park "Academica" currently houses 27 residents - small and medium innovational enterprises from different areas. Although the park was originally designed as "broadly specialised," many of the park's residents are active in the energy sector, particularly in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

With its mission to create favorable conditions for the development of innovative start-ups, the innovation incubator "Inovatorul" currently houses six residents.

Founded in 2008 as a response to reality-driven environmental imperatives, the science technology park "Inagro" houses 15 residents active in the fields of ecologically intensive and organic agriculture. This park consists of a large set of valuable assets such as buildings, plantations and agricultural land with multi-purpose recovery potential (in Chisinau and Cahul).

Since the Agency on Innovation and Technology Transfer was created, the number of projects centered around technology transfer have risen from one in 2004 to 30 in 2009. Costs are covered in half by AITT with the other 50 percent contributed by private-sector beneficiaries.

Created within the Academy of Sciences of Moldova based on this institution's university, the scientific-educational cluster “UnivER SCIENCE” consists of an association of specialised and competitive structures in research and education that can assure excellence in science. While aiding the process of integrating research with education with the ASM's Lyceum for gifted children, the cluster also comprises a scientific park and innovation incubator that provide common ground for research and education institutes, state and private sector, commercial associations and other entities.

Specific objectives of the scientific-educational cluster include:

• Professional education of researchers;
•  High performance;
• Competitiveness based on scientific criteria ensuring specilisation on domains;
• Growth of innovative capacity through program expansion;
• Management experience;
• Attaining management and marketing capacity in research development.

The Lyceum for gifted children was founded in 2006 by decree of the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the aim of providing modern quality education to gifted children from Moldova. Gifted children should be allowed to benefit from positive educational conditions that allow them to develop their abilities to the fullest - not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of society as a whole.

University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (UnASM) was created to perform as a centre for scientific staff training. The main goals of UnASM:

• Identification and support of gifted young people;
• High-performance training of scientific staff combining most successful approaches in national and foreign university and post-university education systems;
• Strengthening the synergy between science and education;
• Integration of educational activity and academic science;
• Training in learning managerial skills and communication of scientific research including its fundamentals;
• Fostering the development of relationships between science and business sector;
• Participation of youth in research as specialists during their formative years;
• Attraction of renowned researchers from the country and beyond for youth education in Moldova;
• To develop younger scientific didactic staff within ASM;
• Establishment of a new greater strategy of science development in Moldova.

Main activities comprise:

• Implementing university (1^st stage ) and post-university (2^nd and 3^rd stage ) training programmes;
• Realising scientific research projects, both fundamental and applicative; publishing technical-scientific, experimental papers in different areas of physics, chemistry, biology, physiology, experimental medicine, electronics, material engineering, energy, etc.

As opposed to other institutions of higher education in Moldova, the process of training in the UnASM is realized through integration of teaching with research, of science with technologies, of theory with innovation experience. UnASM training includes programmnes in communication, learning and teaching, business administration, technology and society.

With the aim of fostering international scientific relations, the Center for International Projects (CIP) has started its activity in January 2009. CIP was created by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova on the basis of Article 79 of the Code on Science and Innovation. It has the following general objectives:

•   to promote and administer bilateral grant programs (currently the ones between the ASM and the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research, Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany, Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Russian Foundation for the Humanities, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine) and international projects in the sphere of science and innovation (including FP7 projects with ASMparticipation of the ASM);

•   to offer managerial, technical, financial and legal assistance to the members of Moldovan scientific community, including consulting activities, seminars, trainings and other activities in the framework of international and bilateral projects.

 

The Association of Young Researchers of Moldova "PRO-Science" (ATCM PRO-Science), registered by the Ministry of Justice in 2004, started as an initiative group in 2000. The association's efforts are dedicated to the public benefit and serve the national legislation and internal rules as a legal base. The ATCM PRO-Science is a non-governmental, non-political and non-commercial association. Its main goals are creation and development of an open framework for junior researchers to implement the values of a social democracy in the areas of education, learning and teaching, science, research and development, as well as international cooperation.

Research Indicators

NBS Indicators1	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
R&D allocations in % of GDP*	0,21	0,22	0,37	0,46	0,65	0,70	0,54
Organisations conducting R&D activity	79	86	88	67	76	70	n/a
Personnel employed in R&D activity	6858	6696	6678	6299	6522	5314	n/a
Scientific researchers	2737	2725	2583	2507	2592	3471	n/a
Granted patents2	241	256	269	288	268	n/a	n/a

ASM Indicators3	2006	2007	2008	2009
Total number of projects, including:	523	629	647	603
- Institutional	315	310	314	314
- Projects in the framework of state programmes	66	109	112	96
- Independent projects for young researchers	n/a	36	68	52
- Projects of technology transfer	24 (33)	43	37	30
Personnel employed in R&D activity
ASM personnel
Scientific researchers	2945	3100	3247	3279
Doctors-habilitat	392	420	405	418
Doctors of sciences	1310	1300	1356	1398
Young researchers (up to 35 years)	680	875	711	985
Young researchers by total number of researchers (%)	23	28,15	21,9	30,4
PhD students	541	516	1664	1747
Number of publications, including	5056	6385	6788	4659
- Articles in national peer reviewed journals	1688	1608	1798	1273
- Articles in international peer reviewed journals	785	792	722	1771
- Reports at international conferences	1626	1647	1858	509
Patents	169	186	213	251
Organisation of international events, including	192	128	134	47
- national	123	75	95	39
- international	69	53	39	8
Awards	173	202	206	276

The statistical system of the Republic of Moldova, coordinated by the National Bureau of Statistics, is now in a reforming process in accordance with the European Strategy of our country.

However, the statistical system in the Republic of Moldova is highly fragmented. Besides the National Bureau of Statistics, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, State Agency on Intellectual Property, National Council for Attestation and Accreditation all collect R&D data. And they use different methodologies and statistical forms; some indicators are calculated only at ASM for annual reports. This makes it  rather difficult to have a clear overview on R&D activity in Moldova from a statistical point of view.

With the support from UNESCO, ASM has thus launched a project for introducing the statistical indicators accepted by EUROSTAT into the Moldovan scientific sphere.

Research funding system

The Academy of Sciences is authorised with the Government’s competence in the field of scientific research. Therefore, all budget funds designated for scientific research are allocated only through the Academy of Sciences on a competitive basis.

In 2009, the budget for science was allocated to 603 projects⁴ including:

• 314 institutional projects (basic research – 122 & applied research – 188);
• 96 projects in the framework of state programs;
• 51 grants for young scientists;
• 30 of technology transfer;
• 68 in the framework of Agreements between ASM and the Russian and Belorussian Funds of Fundamental Research;
• 70 international grants.

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1 According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports
2 According to State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) reports
3 According to the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) annual reports
4 Activity indicators of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Annual Report 2007


Source: ASM
Last up-date: 31.05.2010