Research Structure

The year 2004, when the new Code on Science and Innovation was adopted, marked a turning point for the development of science and innovation in Moldova.

An analysis of the development in the field of science in Moldova over 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 and moderate climate and its advantageous geographical location in the Central part of Europe contributed to the increase in population. Mechanisation in the agrarian sector led to an increase in those people that were not involved in this kind of production.

Since the 1990s Moldovan science has passed through a period of degradation. This has led to the exodus of scientists abroad and the ruin of the scientific and technical patrimony. The scientific potential was reduced by around 70% from about 20 to about 6 thousand researchers. The number of habilitated doctors and doctors of science decreased by about 60%.

As a result of the conservative procedures and lack in flexibility with regard to the development of science and social changes in the Republic of Moldova, science was not in demand. Consequently, during the first years of independence, the field of science and innovation was not progressing and completely ignored the needs of society and its responsibility for the quality and condition of research elaborations, and thus degraded significantly. The material research base, with no capital investments in science and no improvement through new research instruments and tools, was rapidly destroyed. However, the intellectual level of Moldovan scientists and researchers remained rather high. This situation was the result of the lack of balanced state policy in the sphere of science and innovation at that time, as well as no successful forms of organisation or transparent budget financing. The prestige of research and innovation activity was extremely low, its connection with the educational system was only formal, the organisational forms for science remained unchanged and conservative, and the legislative framework had a regressive rather than stimulating character.

The main reason for the scientific potential decline was the sudden reduction of investment in science. In conditions where investment in scientific research constitutes less than 1% of GDP the degradation of science and innovation is the inevitable result. Thus, after gaining independence, the science funding in the Republic of Moldova varied between 0.73% (in 1990) and 0.18% (2000-2001) of GDP, and this figure continuously decreased.

The need for a reform in the field of Moldovan science matured and this reform finally began in 2004. The Code on Science and Innovation was ratified by Parliament on the initiative of President of the Republic of Moldova on 15 July 2004.

Characterisation of the research system

The main legal act which regulates activities in the field of S&T in the Republic of Moldova is the Code on Science and Innovation. This document regulates legal relations related to the elaboration and implementation of state policy in science and innovation, activity in the field of scientific research, innovation and transfer of technologies, scientific-technological information, accreditation of organisations in science and innovation, attestation of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel of highest the qualification, protection of intellectual property rights, and the legal status of organisations in science and innovation.

The Code was adopted on 15 July 2023 and marked a pivotal year in the development of science and innovation in the country. The Code introduced two essential changes to the role of the Academy of Sciences in science and innovation, specifically:

1. The Academy of Sciences became the sole public institution of national importance in the field of science and innovation, the plenipotentiary co-ordinator of the scientific and innovational activities, the supreme scientific forum and scientific adviser to the public authorities.
2. The Academy of Sciences is invested 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 2009-2012 period, and prolonged for 2013 and 2014). The Agreement authorises the Academy to distribute all budgetary funds designated for scientific research and allocated on a competitive basis.

In addition, the Agreement stipulates the strategic priorities in the development of science and innovation, which are co-ordinated with the strategic directions stipulated by the European Union:

• Consolidation of the State of Law and utilisation of cultural heritage with the aim of European 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 energy complex, assurance of energy security, including the use of renewable resources.

These important transformations brought about a qualitative advance of the Moldovan R&D sector. However, it can be observed that research and innovation in the Republic of Moldova is challenged by the issue of the efficient application of some austere budgetary resources in order to ensure an excellence-based research process that is integrated in the international research circuit and focused on satisfying the ever growing demands of society and the national economy. Thus, while the financing of science and innovation activities from budgetary sources rose considerably in 2004-2008, the share of GDP allocated to science has decreased over the last few years due to the widespread economic and financial crisis that has affected the Moldovan economy among others.

The financial constraints caused by the global economic crisis over recent years has caused ASM to rethink the existing R&D management system. For this purpose ASM carried out, with the assistance of international experts, two exercises:

• Mix Peer Review: need for improvement of S&T policy;
• Foresight exercise for Moldova RDI system.

The S&T policy Mix Peer Review was carried out between March and June 2012 by six experts from Austria, Belarus, Greece, Estonia and Germany. This exercise resulted in the publication of a comprehensive report regarding the current situation in the RTDI sector in Moldova and the measures that are required to improve it. We took the international peer reviewers’ conclusions as a starting point for setting up a new vision on policy and initiatives. The Foresight exercise for Moldova, developed by our national experts with the assistance of our colleagues from Romania, was an important step for the implementation of a new knowledge paradigm.

According to the vision identified within the FOR Moldova foresight project, by 2020 the research and development sector of Moldova will have:

• Management of research priorities based on the establishment of efficient interaction with society
• Adequate tools for the implementation of results and the dissemination of knowledge
• A good record of internationalisation of research and integration into the European Research Area

The outcomes of the Mix Peer Review and Foresight for Moldova exercises were used to develop the draft of the National R&D Strategy until 2020, which was launched for public discussion on 13 September 2012. The strategic document was approved by the Government and, in accordance with legal procedures, is waiting to be voted on by the Parliament.

According to the draft of the Strategy, the R&D system development will be based on five pillars:

• Capacity
• Priorities
• Connectivity
• Internationalisation
• Governance

The implementation of these pillars is expected to contribute significantly to the social, economic and cultural development of the Republic of Moldova.

The internationalisation pillar is focused on the full integration of the Moldovan scientific community into the European Research Area. From the point of view of the ASM, this process will help the Moldovan scientific community to:

• Integrate into European networks
• Participate in all EU Framework Programmes
• Benefit from European scientific excellence
• Attract European investment in R&D
• Protect domestic intellectual activity results abroad
• Facilitate scientific mobility
• Access European research infrastructure

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; habilitated doctors 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 the Partnership Agreement every four years, confirms the policy of the Academy of Science in the field of science and innovation and implements the strategy of this policy. It is competent to approve representatives of divisions in the Assembly and to elect representatives from the scientific community, including higher education institutions, as members of the Supreme Council for Science and Technological Development.

The Assembly examines and decides on the annual report regarding the results of activity in science and innovation and examines and approves strategies and programmes related to science and innovation. It determines strategic directions in the field of science and innovation.

The Supreme Council for Science and Technological Development (SCSTD) is the executive body of the Assembly. It consists of the President of the ASM, the First Deputy President, two Deputy Presidents, the General Scientific Secretary, co-ordinators of ASM divisions and six representatives of the scientific community, including higher education institutions and state agency for intellectual property, elected by the Assembly for a four-year term.

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

It is tasked with distributing, on the basis of the Partnership Agreement, the budget allocations according to the strategic direction of the science and innovation field. SCSTD also organises the competition for the projects, financed from the state budget, and draws up mechanisms for the monitoring, stimulation and implementation of state programmes in science and innovation and the development of markets for products in this field, etc.

Within the Academy of Sciences of Moldova there are six scientific divisions as follows:

• Division of natural and exact sciences
• Division of technological sciences engineering
• Division of medical sciences
• Division of agricultural sciences
• Division of social and economic sciences
• Division of art and humanities sciences

The evaluation of institutions and the attestation of scientists are carried out by the National Council for Attestation and Accreditation (NCAA). The accreditation system for institutions in the field of science and innovation gives them the possibility of obtaining financial support from the state budget.

The State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) is established on the basis of the Code of Science and Innovation. It represents the Republic of Moldova at the World Intellectual Property Organisation and other international and interstate organisations for intellectual property protection. The AGEPI supports and develops co-operation relationships with these as well as with profile establishments of other states.

The Agency on Innovation and Technology Transfer (AITT), created in accordance with the Code on Science and Innovation and authorised to implement innovation and technology transfer policies and strategies, promotes the development of innovation infrastructure within the country.

The main tasks of the AITT include:

1. Implementing policies in the field of innovation and technology transfer
2. Providing consultation on policy and legal framework development for innovation infrastructure
3. Establishing strategic directions for innovation and technology transfer activities, reflected in programmes and projects at all levels
4. Participating in strengthening the relationship between research institutions, universities and entrepreneurship
5. Coordinating the process of creating innovation and technology transfer infrastructure
6. Providing 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 June 2023 was approved and fiscal incentives were granted to the 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 during three tax periods
4. Low tariffs on premises leasing and on public utilities for residents situated on the premises of science and technology parks or innovation incubators

Additionally, these residents also benefit from reduced rent rates, production facilities and offices as well as 95% of patent costs covered by the AGEPI.

The Scientific-Technological Park “Academica”, created in 2007, currently houses 13 residents – small and medium innovation enterprises from different areas. Although the park was originally designed to be broad in scope, many residents of the Park are focused on the energy field, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

The Innovation Incubator “Inovatorul” which is tasked with creating favourable conditions for the establishment and development of innovation start-ups, houses two residents.

The establishment in 2008 of the Science Technology Park “Inagro” in the field of ecologically intensive and organic agriculture was necessitated by the imperatives of the environment and agricultural reality and currently houses 13 residents. This park is based on a large and valuable set of assets consisting of buildings, plantations and agricultural land with multi-potential recovery potential (in Chisinau and Cahul).

Since the Agency on Innovation and Technology Transfer was created, the number of technology transfer projects has increased from one in 2004 to 30 in 2009. The financing scheme stipulates that 50% of the costs are covered by the AITT and 50% by the beneficiary (private sector).

In 2013, the Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted the Innovation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova “Innovations for competitiveness” for the period 2013-2020 . This strategy defines a vision, objectives and measures for developing innovation activities in the Republic of Moldova. The overarching aim is that innovation should contribute to achieving a sustainable and competitive knowledge-based economy. The strategy assesses the current situation and the development potential in the area of innovation. It includes an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and identifies strategic innovation priorities. The strategy perceives innovation as transforming new ideas into successful products, or known ideas into new products.

In the strategy it is planned that innovation will be stimulated in SMEs as well as in the society in general. The strategy formulates that Moldovan firms should be supported to absorb, generate and disseminate innovation. Business should be better connected to universities and research centres. A list of practical measures for implementing the strategy has been compiled and annexed to the strategy in an Action Plan. These measures include support for innovation and technology transfer projects, introducing an innovation voucher scheme, etc.

In order to ensure a high level of transparency in the decision making and funds distribution processes, the Academy of Sciences of Moldova has established three new auxiliary science supporting institutions:

• Advisory Expertise Council
• Center for International Projects
• Center for Fundamental and Applied Research Funding of Moldova

The public institution Advisory Expertise Council (AEC) was founded in 2004. It is a national consulting body. Its main task is to promote excellence in research by selecting scientific projects on a competitive basis for funding. The evaluation procedures foresee the scientific peer review of projects performed by independent experts.

The Center for International Projects (CIP) was created in 2009. It promotes and manages bilateral and multilateral programmes in science and innovation launched within Co-operation Agreements between the ASM and various international organisations and foundations. Since its inception, CIP has managed around 250 bilateral projects under Co-operation Agreements. CIP provides managerial, technical, informational assistance to members of the Moldovan scientific community, as well as for Moldovan Diaspora members, including consultation activities, seminars, training courses and other activities as part of international and bilateral projects. CIP is also the host institution of the network of the National Contact Points of the EU Horizon 2020 Programme for research and innovation.

The Center for Fundamental and Applied Research Funding of Moldova (CFCFA), established in June 2012 by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, is a science support organisation responsible for all the steps in the project lifecycle of national programmes funded by the state budget.

Scientific-educational cluster 'UnivER SCIENCE'
Within the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, a scientific-educational cluster was created on the basis of the University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the ASM’s Lyceum for gifted children, research institutes, scientific parks and innovative incubators, and represents an association of specialised and competitive structures in research and education that can ensure excellence in science and establish premises for the integration processes of research with education, as well as innovation premises between research and education institutes, state and private sector, commercial associations and other structures.

Specific objectives of the scientific-educational cluster:

• Professional education of researchers
• High performance
• Competitiveness based on scientific criteria, insuring specialisation in domains
• Growth of innovative capacity through programme expansion
• Management experience
• Obtaining of management and marketing capacity in research development

The Lyceum for gifted children was founded in 2006 by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the aim of providing a modern and quality education to gifted children from Moldova. Gifted children should be able to benefit from special educational conditions that allow them to fully develop their abilities, for their own benefit and for the benefit of society as a whole.

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

• Identifying and supporting gifted young people
• Training scientific staff at high performance, using the most successful achievements of the national and foreign systems of university and post-university education
• Strengthening the synergy between science and education
• Integrating educational activity and academic science
• Training in managerial skills and communication of scientific research, including the basic elements
• Fostering the development of relationships between science and the business sector
• Involving young people in research during their training as specialists
• Attracting renowned researchers within the country and beyond in the process of youth education in Moldova
• Developing younger scientific-didactic staff within ASM
• Establishing the new strategy of science development in Moldova

The main activities include: 

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

In contrast to other higher education institutions in Moldova, the process of training in the UnASM is undertaken through integration of teaching with research, of science with technologies, of theory with innovation experience. The training programme of UnASM includes: Communication Programme, Teaching and Learning Programme, Business Administration, Technology and Society.

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 is dedicated to the public benefit and takes the national legislation and internal rules as its legal basis. The ATCM PRO-Science represents a non-governmental, non-political and non-commercial association, and its main goal is the creation and development of an open framework for the junior researchers in order to implement the values of social democracy in the following activity areas: education, teaching-learning, science, research and development, and international co-operation.

Research indicators

• 262 institutional projects (basic research – 92; applied research – 170)
• 15 projects as part of state programmes
• 35 grants for young scientists
• 3 grants for S&T infrastructure development
• 22 technology transfer grants
• 58 international grants in the framework of bilateral agreements with Belarus, Germany, Italy, Romania, France, Black Sea ERA NET and STCU

Source: ASM
Last update: March 2014