Peer review of the Moldovan research and innovation system : Horizon 2020 policy support facility, background report

The purpose of the report is to summarise evidence on the situation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Moldova to provide a background for the Horizon 2020 Policy Support Facility Peer Review of Moldova's research and innovation system. This Peer Review, requested by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, will be implemented by the panel of independent experts and national peers between November 2015 and May 2016. Moldova, as a country having emerged of the former Soviet Union, has a tradition of education and research. In spite of the difficult social and economic situation since the independence of the country, a functioning education and a significantly downsized research system could be conserved. Tough cuts in education and research financing and very low investment in these sectors over many years have led to a decline in quality and outcomes. Still, some niches of excellence, for example in nanotechnologies, could be conserved. The main legal basis for research and innovation policy in Moldova is the Code on science and innovation of 2004, and the annual partnership agreement between the Moldovan Academy of Sciences (ASM) and the government. Moldova's R&D and innovation system is rather centralised, with the ASM being the main policy-making institution fulfilling the role of a ministry of science. Besides ASM, several ministries deal with R&D and innovation related issues i.e. The Ministry of Economy, The Ministry of Environment, The Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and The Ministry of Education).