Introduction

The R&D system: Financing

The R&D system: Organization

• Research and Development Council
• Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
• Other ministries and institutions related to the R&D agenda
• Grant Agencies
• National Contact Points for the FP7
• Other R&D related agencies

INTRODUCTION

Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is usually presented as a measure of the power of the R&D system. The Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) amounts to 1,42 % of GDP (CSU) in 2005, out of which a "smaller half" came from the state budget, which contributed by 0,58 % GDP to the GERD. 

The Czech R&D system has undergone substantial changes since 1989, for instance a functioning system of grants and public tenders was set up. The scheme of the state support of R&D indicates that the R&D Council of the Government and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports play particular role in the state administration of the R&D. 

The R&D system: FINANCING

Although one can’t characterize a complex system by of its input only, the trend of the GERD as percentage of GDP of the Czech Republic well reflects that the R&D system undergone thorough changes already in the first half of nineties. For instance, the total number of employees in R&D dropped from 106 000 in 1990 to less than 40 000 in 1994 and the percentage GERD/GDP decreased accordingly until 1995. The necessary reform of state financing of R&D was mainly focused on changing its structure: financing realised via newly established grant agencies and tenders became more and more important.
In the second half of nineties the time dynamics of the Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D expenditures was positive. According to the OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2001 the average annual growth rate of the GERD at the end of nineties was higher than 6%. During 2000 - 2004 the expenditure on R&D stayed constant between 1,21 % (2000) and 1,26 % (2004) of GDP. In 2005 the share of total R&D expenditure on GDP grown up to 1,42 %. But due to the preparation of the financial reform a decrease in R&D expenditure is expected in the near future. 

To see the distribution of  the total state expenditure on R&D on the state institutions (ministries, grant agencies and other relevant bodies) in 2005 and 2006 click here.

The R&D system: ORGANIZATION 

Research and Development Council

The Research and Development Council of the Government is an advisory body to the Government of the Czech Republic according to the R&D Act. The scheme of the state support of the R&D system indicates that the R&D Council has the most important role in raising incentives to shape the Czech R&D system.

It should be also noted that results of the state supported R&D projects are monitored in the National system of R&D databases.

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) bears the responsibility for participation of the Czech Republic in mulilateral and bilateral international cooperation (7th Framework Programme, COST, EUREKA, etc.) as well as for the participation of the Czech Republic in international R&D organizations (European Science Foundation, etc.). 

The MEYS has a multi-facetted role in  R&D, e.g. it administeres the programme „R&D Centres“ that currently covers 33 research centres.  Each „Centre“ e.g.  „Centre for integrated genomics“, is based on co-operation of several research institutes, universities and industry, which is supported by a considerably high budget.

A new position of a Plenipotentiary of the Government for the European research has been recently established at the MEYS.

Here you can also find more information about research and development in the Czech Republic.

Other ministries and institutions related to the R&D agenda

Grant Agencies

National contact points for the FP7 

Other R&D related organizations