The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the draft Law of Ukraine “On Priority Areas of Scientific, Scientific-Technical and Innovation Activity” prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES). The draft law has been developed to modernize the system of priority areas in the fields of science and innovation.

What changes:

🔹 From 500+ priorities to 10 key ones
The current system with more than 500 priority areas at various levels will be replaced by up to 10 priorities of true importance for the country, identified through foresight studies.

Foresight studies are a widely used tool in many countries for predicting the future. They help identify promising trends in the development of science, technology, the economy, and society. Conducting such studies is the most effective way to determine priorities for scientific and technological development and serves as an effective instrument of public policy in this field.

🔹 Competitive vs. baseline funding
Competitive funding will be provided according to the newly defined narrow priorities, while baseline funding will remain without thematic restrictions, within the framework of academic freedom and based on the results of state attestation.

🔹 Unified system of priorities
For the first time at the legislative level, a single system of scientific and innovation priorities will be established. Long-term priorities (for 10 years) will be determined by Parliament, while on their basis the Government will define medium-term areas (for 5 years) to receive state support.

🔹 Foresight as the foundation of strategic decisions
The new system will shape priorities on the basis of a deep analysis of the needs of the state, the economy, and the scientific community, conducted through foresight studies.

🔹 Updated implementation tools
The list of tools will include applied research and development, public-private partnerships, the development of research and innovation infrastructure, and the promotion of scientific and innovation results.

🔹 Focus on defense, post-war recovery, and the real economy
Scientific research and development under the new priorities will target the needs of the economy, national security, and post-war recovery. Research results are expected to be applied in practice, while the new system of priorities will enhance the country’s competitiveness by introducing new technologies and innovations.