SLOVENIAN RESEARCH AGENCY PRESENTATION Ljubljana, 2007
Dec 25, 2015
SLOVENIAin the Heart of EUrope
Basic data:Constitution: Parliamentary democracyCapital: Ljubljana (population 330 000)Area: 20 273 km2Population: 2.009.052Population density: 98.0 per km2GDP: 27,6 mrd USDGDP per capita: 13.849 USD (2003)GDP per capita PPP: 15.000 USD (1999)Annual real growth rates of GDP: 2,3 (2003)
Young country with rich scientific culture!
• The begining of science and technology to the late Middle Ages – University of Ljubljana - 1919– Slovenian Academy of Science and Arts - 1938– modern research institutes - after 2. world war– parallel and complementary concept of S&T
policy from 60’s– autonomous institutional construction of S&T
policy from 1991
Contents:
• About Slovenian Research Agency• Some facts about the research
system in Slovenia • Recent changes of the Slovenian
science policy • Main research policy instruments• Research evaluation system of SRA
A brief description of the SRA logo
A graphic image of the manuscript of the Logarithm Tables by Slovenian mathematician, physicist and artillery officer Jurij Vega.
• Establishing: November 2004, Government of the Republic of Slovenia
• Status: a legal person of public law; indirect user of the budget of the Republic of Slovenia
• Mission: performing professional tasks relating to implementation of the adopted National Research and Development Programme
• Budget: 145 million € per year (2006)
SRA main areas of operation Promotion of
excellent and aplicative
research
Monitoring and analysing
Funding of research
Objectiveevaluation
SRA main function:
Carrying out selected tasks of public interest, with the purpose of ensuring highly competent and independent evaluation and selection of the research programmes and projects financed from the national budget of the Republic of Slovenia.
MISSIONThe Slovenian Research Agency as an independent public funding organisation perform tasks relating to the National Research and Development Programme and creation of European Research Area.
• provides framework for scientific research within the national budget and other sources
• promotes high quality scientific research in Slovenia and its application
• fosters internationaly comparable evaluation standards in Slovenia
• provides the transparency of organising research community in Slovenia
• promotes international research cooperation • analyses R&D activities and provides science policy expertise
Organisation chart of the SRA
Management Board
Scientific Council
Expert bodies
Temporary expert bodies
Peers
Director
Scientific Fields
Research Infrastructure
Young Researchers
Monitoring
International Cooperaration
Finance
General Affarirs
Information Technology
Working bodies
National organisation chart of public decision-making and funding
Science & Technology
Council of theRepublic of
Slovenia
Government of the Republicof Slovenia
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
Slovenian ResearchAgency
Funding of Science
Ministry of Defence
Other ministrie
s
SRA budget by research activities, 2006
84,4
25,619,7
14,4
1,8
0,0 10,0 20,0 30,0 40,0 50,0 60,0 70,0 80,0 90,0
BASIC AND APPLIEDRESEARCH
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
INTERNATIONALCOOPERATION
Mio evro
145 mio €
1.300 FTE by research type
Reasearch programmes
Basic projects
Applied projects
Post-doctoral projectsTarget research programmes
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Target research programmes
Post-doctoral projects
Applied projects
Basic projects
Reasearch programmes
Funding of research by fields of science
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
%
Government funding of research by fields of science; Sweden (2001), Slovenia (2005)
Sweden - 2001
Slovenia - 2005
Contents:
• About Slovenian Research Agency• Some facts about the research
system in Slovenia • Recent changes of the Slovenian
science policy • Main research policy instruments• Research evaluation system of SRA
Institutionalresearch landscape
• 4 Universities: – University of Ljubljana (26 faculties)– University of Maribor (12 faculties)– University of Primorska (7 faculties)
– University of Nova Gorica (6 faculties) • National Research Institutes (15)• Private (non-profite) Research
Institutes (ca. 100)• Research unites in business (ca. 300)
Comparative structure of the sources of financing R&D expenditure
46
50
53
56
59
59,3
64
66
66
71
72
73
30
36
39
35
31
35,3
29
29
32
26
21
19
6
3
2
2
3
1,4
5
5
0,4
1
4
8
18
11
7
7
5
4
2
3
3
0,4
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
UK
Netherlands
France
EU
Denmark
Slovenia
OECD
USA
Germany
Finland
Sw eden
Japan
Business sector Government sector Other Funds from abroad
Funding from different sources as a % share of RD expenditure by sector of
performance
68
81
5
5
26
37
6
1
1
0
2
1
15
11
93
88
69
55
4
1
0
0
1
0
7
6
1
7
2
7
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Fi - Public s. (state + privat non-profit)) 01
SLO - Public s. (state + privat non-profit))01
Fi - Business s. 01
SLO - Business s. 01
Fi - Total R&D expenditure 01
SLO - Total R&D expenditure 01
Government
Other domestic public
Compaineis
Domestic funds
Foreign funding
Fi
Fi
Fi
R&D expenditure as a % of GDP
0
0,5
1
1,5
2
2,5
3
3,5
4
4,5
1991 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
%
Denmark EU Finland France Japan Germany
Netherlands Slovenia Sweden UK US
SloEu
Sw
Structure of researchers (FTE); Sweden and Slovenia
Business s.Government s.
Highereducation s.
Sweden
Slovenia 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
%
Structure of researchers (FTE) by sectors (2001)
Sweden
Slovenia
Evolution of research organizations in Slovenia
Number of Research Organizations in Slovenia1945 - 2004
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1945 1954 1964 1974 1981 1987 2002 2004
Research institutes
Reserch units in economy
Faculties in universities
Institut “Jožef Stefan”
• Physics• Chemistry and biochemistry• Electronics and information
science• Energy studies• Environmental sciences
RP1-0040: Dynamic of complex nano-systems
• Head: dr. Mihailovič Dragan
• Aim:investigate complex nano-systems, focusing on
nonequilibrium dynamics of new and existing nano-
materials, nonperiodic inhomogeneous matter, and
biological nanosystems.
• Center of Excellence: Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology (response of Slovenian researchers and
industry to meet the challenges of new technology)
The National Institute of Chemistry
• Pure and applied chemistry• Chemical engineering• Environmental protection• New materials• Information science• Biotechnology
RP4-0176: Molecular biotechnology
• Head: dr. Roman Jerala• Aims: research of the biochemical processes,
particularly molecular recognition and signal transduction, and towards the application of modern biochemical, biotechnological, microbiological, biophysical and molecular biological methods to problems, which have potential industrial application in fields such as medicine, pharmacy or biotechnology. Industrijski projekti;
1,7
Raziskovalni projekti ARRS; 4,9
Raziskovalni program; 6,3
National Institute of Biology
• Monitoring the state of the environment in Slovenia
• Developmental and applied research in plant and medical biotechnology
RP4-0165: Plant Physiology and Biotechnology
• Head: dr. Maja Ravnikar• Aims: Understanding the physiological
processes in plants help in easier and more efficient solving of problems connected with production of economically important plants. The response of plants, including Slovene varieties, to pathogens, which increases the importance of our results for Slovenia.
University of Maribor
Through its basic activities-education and research-the University of Maribor seeks to contribute to the provision of human resources for an accelerated cultural development in all of Slovenia, but especially in the region of Maribor and assurance knowledge input in the economy.
RP2-0046: Extraction processes
• Head: dr. Željko Knez
• Aims: Achievements of the research program are important for sustainable as well as for technological development of Slovenia. New technologies with minor influence on environment and knowledges for high-quality products were offered. Ms and PhD students who finished their study in the frame of high-pressure technologies are now employed in industry.
The results of high-pressure research are due to high-tech products in close connection with many development objectives of Slovenia.
Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences
and Arts
• Linguistics• Literary studies• History• Musicology• History of art• Archaeology• Ethnology and
ethnomusicology• Philosophy
• Migration studies• Geography• Karstology• Biology• Palaeontology• Medicine• Audio-visual
laboratory• Spatial information
centre
Contents:
• About Slovenian Research Agency• Some facts about the research
system in Slovenia • Recent changes of the Slovenian
science policy • Main research policy instruments• Research evaluation system of SRA
EU research Building Knowledge Europe
• Research and Knowledge are keys to our future• European Research Area • Improving Human Research Potential• The Lisbon Strategey
• Increase and improve investment in RD(to 3% of EU GDP)
• Toward FP7• European Research Council• Technology Platforms • European Institute of Technology
Recent changes of the Slovenian science policy
• Research and Development Activities Act (priorities, concession for public service,
new agencies)• Economic and social reforms of the
Government of the Republic of Slovenia• NRDP Resolution for 2006 – 2010 (measures
of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia)
Main Slovenian R&D policy objectives
• to increase investments in R&D according to the 3% GDP
• to increase effectiveness of public investments in R&D
• to strengthen human resources in R&D• to strengthen R&D co-operation between
public research sector and enterprises • to strengthen business sector R&D• to increase international co-operation
Main measures to attain the policy objectives
• definition of priority areas for RTD• allocation of R&D budget in the ratio 80% to
technological development, 20% to science• establishment of 8 centres of excellence in
the priority RTD fields (structural funds)• reinforcement of intermediary
organisations (structural funds)• development of favourable environment for business R&D and
innovation (legal, administrative, financial)
Priority areas of Slovenian RTD
• Information and Communication Technologies • Advanced New Materials and
Nanotechnologies• Complex Systems and Innovative Technologies• Technologies for Sustainable
Development• Health and Life Sciences
Priorities related to social and cultural development
• support to national identity, modern
Slovenian history, natural and cultural
heritage
• development of efficient state and modern
democratic society
• management of social processes and risks
caused by new technologies, globalization,
changing the demografic structure
Contents:
• About Slovenian Research Agency• Some facts about the research
system in Slovenia • Recent changes of the Slovenian
science policy • Main research policy instruments • Research evaluation system of SRA
Policy instruments of SRA
• Research programmes • Basic and applied research projects• Targeted research programmes• Young researchers
Relevance and quality of Research programmes
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Science quality
So
cial
an
d e
con
om
ic
rele
van
ce
(patent)
(patent)
Efficiency of research programmes
0,4
0,6
0,7
0,9
1,0
1,1
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0 1,2
Humanities
Medical sciences
Natural sciences
Social sciences
Biotechnical sciences
Engineering
FTE other sources /FTE SRA
Relevance of the research projects
• Tematic public calls for basic, applied and postdoctoral projects
• Targeted research programmes (TRP)
– Slovenian competitiveness 2006-2013– S&T for peace and security 2004-2010
• Important criterion of evaluation
Actual thematic priority areas
1. Genomics and biotehnologies for health, food quality and safety, sustainable development
2. Information society technologies, citizenship, human resources, social cohesiveness, preservation of natural and cultural heritage
3. New materials (nanomaterials), new manufacturing processes and tools
TRP Public call“Slovenian competitiveness”
2006-2013 Main aims:
• Competitive economy and faster growth• Knowledge based society: education, training,
research and development• Efficient and rational public administration• Modern social welfare state and higher level of
employment• Synergy of measures for achieving the sustainable
development
TRP Public call:”S&T for peace and security
2004-2010”
Research chapters:
• Slovenian Army of the 21st century• Development of the communication and
information system according to the needs of national security
• Defense against terrorism, civil protection and environmental protection
• Development and management of the national security system
Programme of Young researchers (YR) in Slovenia
• 1.200 young reasearchers (850-900 FTE) financed per year
• 250 new candidates for young researchers accepted per year
• 25 mio EUR per year• 19% of the budget of SRA
YR by research organizations
Total number of young researchers financed by research organization type 2001-2004
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2001 2002 2003 2004
Research units in businesssectorOther research organisations
Public research institutions
University of Primorska
University of Maribor
University of Ljubljana
Features of the YR programme
• YR participate in research work during their postgraduate studies on research projects;
• they have regular, fixed-term employment contracts;
• the Agency finances their pay, social contributions, as well as material and non-material costs for research and postdoctoral study;
• the average annual cost of financing one YR is cca. EUR 30,000;
Conditions and criteria of YR
• have at least university-level education in the appropriate field;
• have an average grade for all examinations and coursework (excluding the degree examination) of at least 8.00;
• be aged up to 28 years inclusive (with respect to the year of birth); if a young researcher has already enrolled in a postgraduate study programme without financial support from the Agency or ministry responsible for science, the age of the candidates may rise above 28 years, namely, one year shall be added for each study year.
“Brain gain”
• Opening the national programmes: integration of foreign citizens into the programme of young researchers, postdoctoral research and excellent foreign scientists
• Funding of postdoctoral research for researchers who will switch over from public to business sector
Aims: member countries of the European Union, neighbouring countries (apart from
European Union members, Croatia and Hungary…),
non-European, highly developed countries (the U.S.A., Japan, Israel, etc.),
EFTA and CEFTA member countries, and regionally important countries.
International bilateral co-operation
Number of bilateral research projects
(30 countries)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
number
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
year
Aims:
EU programmes (6th Framework Programme and EURATOM),
other European research and development programmes (COST, EUREKA, NATO),
co-operation with international organisations (UNDP, UNIDO, CICGEB, ICS, CERN, ICPE, ICTP, ICSD, EMBC, IIR), and
Slovenian Business and Research Association in Brussels.
International multilateral cooperation
Number of projects in 6. FP per million people
1
5
9
9
13
15
15
16
18
18
18
21
22
24
24
25
37
41
41
44
46
48
48
50
52
52
52
55
57
59
65
68
87
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
TR
RO
BG
PL
DE
IT
LT
FR
ES
UK
SK
CZ
HU
PT
IL
LV
GR
LU
NL
AT
EE
BE
CH
SE
FI
IE
NO
DK
SI
LI
CY
MT
IS
number
SI in FP6 contractsOverall figures17.7.2006
EU27 population 490 mio.
SI population 2 mio. 0,41%
Total no. of contracts 6.654 100%
No. of SI contracts 360 5,4%
All participants 51.304 100%
No. of SI participants 429 0,84%
Total EU funding 12.122 100%
For SI participants 56.5 0,47%
SI in FP6 contractsERANET projects
195 ERANET projects (were submitted in 4 calls)
– 90 projects were selected– SIovenia is participating in 20 projects
• Ministry (MHEST) is participating in 16 projects• Slovenian Research Agency in 2 projects
Supporting cooperation & coordination of national or regional research funding
programmes
Contents:
• About Slovenian Research Agency• Some facts about the research
system in Slovenia • Recent changes of the Slovenian
science policy • Main research policy instruments • Research evaluation system of SRA
ISI – Science indicators for 2001-2005
PAPERS IMPACT CITATIONSCITED
PAPERS % CITED
FINLAND 38.578
5,60
216.012
26.595
68,93
NETHERLANDS 103.477
6,25
646.372
72.121
69,69
SLOVENIA
8.039 3,04
24.443
4.485
55,79
TURKEY 49.428 1,87 92.645 23.206 46,94
USA
1.352.443
6,41
8.664.518
904.521
66,88
WORLD
4.019.419
4,51
18.120.357
2.462.760
61,27
Triadic patent families and publications per mio population
Figure 3.2.5 Triadic patent families and publications per million population, 2000
LT
SI
LU
EE
PLCY
CZ
AT
LV
IE
NL
EL
DE
UK
ES IT
PT
HU
MT
DK
SE
FI
SK
FR
BE
JP
EU-25
US
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Triadic patent families per million population, 2000 (1)
Pu
bli
cati
on
s p
er m
illi
on
po
pu
lati
on
, 20
00
Key Figures 2005Key Figures 2005
Evaluation challenges and changes
• Objectivity of evaluations criteria
• Validity of data bibliometrics, technometrics
• Independence of evaluators system (foreign evaluators)
• Implementation of policy evaluation results
RESEARCH EVALUATION PROCESS RESEARCH EVALUATION PROCESS
- EXPERT SYSTEM OF SRA -- EXPERT SYSTEM OF SRA -
ELIGIBILITY TESTELIGIBILITY TEST ELIGIBILITY TESTELIGIBILITY TEST
Administrative bodies of SRAAdministrative bodies of SRAAdministrative bodies of SRAAdministrative bodies of SRA
Professional body for evaluationProfessional body for evaluationof proposals for…of proposals for…
Professional body for evaluationProfessional body for evaluationof proposals for…of proposals for…
FOREIGN PEERSFOREIGN PEERSFOREIGN PEERSFOREIGN PEERS DOMESTIC PEERSDOMESTIC PEERSDOMESTIC PEERSDOMESTIC PEERS
Scientific council of SRA Scientific council of SRA Scientific council of SRA Scientific council of SRA
Management board of SRA Management board of SRA Management board of SRA Management board of SRA
Quantitative data
Professional body for evaluationProfessional body for evaluationof proposals for…of proposals for…
Professional body for evaluationProfessional body for evaluationof proposals for…of proposals for…
Research evaluation system in Slovenia
CRITERIACRITERIA METHODSMETHODS INDICATORSINDICATORSScientific quality Peer review Experts ranking
(contents, 5-top outputs…)
Scientific outputs Bibliometrics COBISS, citations
Socio-economic relevance
TechnometricsTransfer of knowledge
(cooperation with non-academics,
contracts - money)
Efficiency Econometrics Input/Output(FTE/results)
HumanitiesSocial
sciences EngineeringBiotechnical
sciencesMedical sciences
Natural sciences
QUANTITATIVE ELEMENTS
(DATA)
SCIENCE Science-COBISS 5 (=230)5
(=240) 5 (=360) 5 (=250)5
(=290)5
(=480)
SCIENCE Citations 0 (=160)5 (=80) 5 (=120) 5 (=120)
5 (index) (=150/4)
5 (=370)
RELEVANCE FTE - other sources0 (=1,5)
5 (=3) 10 (=6,2) 5 (=3,4)
0 (=1)
5 (=2,9)
PEER REVIEWS
SCIENCEScience - 2-4 achievements (foreign peer A) 5 5 10 5 0 5
SCIENCE /RELEVANCE
Evaluation of training proposal (foreign peer A) 5 5 5 5 0 5
5
RELEVANCERelevance 2-4 achievements (domestic peer B) 5 5 10 5 5
Conclusions:
• Evaluation of research is as a management tool very important instrument for Slovenian research policy-making process.
• Slovenian Research Agency will continue with
professional evaluation activity which will be more oriented towards national research and development priorities for strengthening our competitiveness in global world.