Use of National and International Research Infrastructures in Evaluation of International Project Award Potential of Slovak Research Institutions

Abstract

The Slovak research base comprises public and state-funded research organisations including higher education institutions (the Slovak Academy of Sciences public, research institutions and universities), private research organisations, enterprises and not-for-profit research organisations (referred to as research institutions: RIs). An RI is eligible for state research funding only if such an RI holds a certificate issued by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic as to its competence to conduct research. In addition, in compliance with Act 172/2005 Coll., an RI is obliged to register in the Slovak Research Information System (SK CRIS). Many RIs benefit from their participation in national as well as international grant schemes, contributing to the global research knowledge and, via the technology transfer process, introducing new products and services.

However, the latest analyses of Slovakia’s participation in Horizon 2020 projects reveal that, despite the relatively large number of projects proposed up to 1st January 2018 (1902), only 244 have been funded, of which more than 90% are related to research, development and innovation. These figures do not give a positive signal, especially in respect of the statement of the Slovak Government in its programme manifesto that support for research, development and innovation is essential for stimulating Slovakia’s developmental potential, its competitiveness, for concentrating resources, for growth in the innovation performance of enterprises, and for developing the principles and the culture of a new level of labour relationships.