Volume 1 Issue 1, January 31, 2019/next issue/UKR
The beginning of transformation
The beginning of transformation
Dmytro Demydenko
January 31, 2019
"The level of development of science and technology is a determining factor
of the progress of society, of improvement of the welfare of citizens,
of their spiritual and intellectual growth."
Law of Ukraine "On Scientific and Scientific-Technological Activities"
In the above quotation, instead of "is a determining factor" it would be more appropriate to write "is one of the determining factors".
In the above quotation, instead of "is a determining factor" it would be more appropriate to write "is one of the determining factors".
In 2019, the National Research Fund of Ukraine (hereinafter NRF, the Fund) is scheduled to start functioning. Its existence and activities are intended to ensure a transparent allocation of funds for research on a competitive basis with an expert evaluation of projects, the independence and objectivity of which should be ensured both by the norms of the new Law and the existence and functioning of the statutory structures defined by the Law such as the Scientific Rada of the NRF and the Scientific Committee (UKR link) of the National Rada of Ukraine for Science and Technology Development (hereinafter National Rada).
In 2019, the National Research Fund of Ukraine (hereinafter NRF, the Fund) is scheduled to start functioning. Its existence and activities are intended to ensure a transparent allocation of funds for research on a competitive basis with an expert evaluation of projects, the independence and objectivity of which should be ensured both by the norms of the new Law and the existence and functioning of the statutory structures defined by the Law such as the Scientific Rada of the NRF and the Scientific Committee (UKR link) of the National Rada of Ukraine for Science and Technology Development (hereinafter National Rada).
The creation of the NRF is one of the consequences of the adoption (UKR link) in 2015 of the new Law of Ukraine "On Scientific and Scientific-Technological Activities" (UKR link), which created legislative basis for transformation in the science system of Ukraine. The initiative to reform the scientific field came from the scientists themselves who have long spoken and wrote about its problems. Developed with the participation of international experts, the new Law does not solve all of the problems, although it is a significant step forward in comparison (UKR link) to the previous Law.
The creation of the NRF is one of the consequences of the adoption (UKR link) in 2015 of the new Law of Ukraine "On Scientific and Scientific-Technological Activities" (UKR link), which created legislative basis for transformation in the science system of Ukraine. The initiative to reform the scientific field came from the scientists themselves who have long spoken and wrote about its problems. Developed with the participation of international experts, the new Law does not solve all of the problems, although it is a significant step forward in comparison (UKR link) to the previous Law.
The creation of the fund was preceded by the creation of the National Rada itself, which, according to the Law, is a consulting and advisory body of the Government and consists of the Scientific and Administrative Committee.
The creation of the fund was preceded by the creation of the National Rada itself, which, according to the Law, is a consulting and advisory body of the Government and consists of the Scientific and Administrative Committee.
Scientific Committee consists of 24 distinguished scientists of Ukraine. The law provides for a complex procedure for selecting members of the Scientific Committee. But it should be noted that one of the main criteria for selection at all levels of the procedure is the high science metric indexes of the scientists, such as the h-index. One of the functions of the Scientific Committee is the function of the supervisory board of the NRF. Scientific Committee also selects the members of the Scientific Rada of the NRF, which is the governing body of the Fund and, among other things, Scientific Committee conducts an expert evaluation of projects of decisions related to the scientific field of the government authorities as well.
Scientific Committee consists of 24 distinguished scientists of Ukraine. The law provides for a complex procedure for selecting members of the Scientific Committee. But it should be noted that one of the main criteria for selection at all levels of the procedure is the high science metric indexes of the scientists, such as the h-index. One of the functions of the Scientific Committee is the function of the supervisory board of the NRF. Scientific Committee also selects the members of the Scientific Rada of the NRF, which is the governing body of the Fund and, among other things, Scientific Committee conducts an expert evaluation of projects of decisions related to the scientific field of the government authorities as well.
The Administrative Committee consists of 24 people representing the Government, the Academies of Sciences, the main science-intensive regions of Ukraine, large-scale science-intensive enterprises, universities, etc.
The Administrative Committee consists of 24 people representing the Government, the Academies of Sciences, the main science-intensive regions of Ukraine, large-scale science-intensive enterprises, universities, etc.
It is also important that the Law introduces legislative definition of a "grant" as " financial or other resources provided on a gratuitous (free of charge) and irrevocable basis" and secures the direction of integration of Ukrainian science into the European Research Area.
It is also important that the Law introduces legislative definition of a "grant" as " financial or other resources provided on a gratuitous (free of charge) and irrevocable basis" and secures the direction of integration of Ukrainian science into the European Research Area.
It is planned to allocate for NRF UAH 262 million (USD 9.4 mln, EUR 8.2 mln) in 2019. Such a low amount, which is only 1.88% of the total funds for the scientific sector in Ukraine, is due to the fact that the Fund has not actually been created. Also the process of creation is at the final stage. European experts have advised to bring a share of funds that NRF will allocate up to 40% of the all funds allocated in the country for the scientific sector, which currently accounts for approximately 0.36% of the GDP of the country, and the Law foresees the increase of the scientific sector budget up to 1.7% of the GDP. Will the recommended level of the Fund financing be achieved? The time will tell. But if the results of the projects financed by the Fund will show the effectiveness of such financing method, the achievement of the above mentioned percent will be quite real.
It is planned to allocate for NRF UAH 262 million (USD 9.4 mln, EUR 8.2 mln) in 2019. Such a low amount, which is only 1.88% of the total funds for the scientific sector in Ukraine, is due to the fact that the Fund has not actually been created. Also the process of creation is at the final stage. European experts have advised to bring a share of funds that NRF will allocate up to 40% of the all funds allocated in the country for the scientific sector, which currently accounts for approximately 0.36% of the GDP of the country, and the Law foresees the increase of the scientific sector budget up to 1.7% of the GDP. Will the recommended level of the Fund financing be achieved? The time will tell. But if the results of the projects financed by the Fund will show the effectiveness of such financing method, the achievement of the above mentioned percent will be quite real.