The amendment to the Law on Scientific Research and Innovation will provide additional funding for science.
The government has published the draft amendment to the Act on Scientific Research and Innovation Activities (ZZrID) and submitted it to the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia for consideration via the standard legislative process.
When presenting the amendment, Dr Igor Papič, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, emphasised that it represents a strategic change that will further increase funding for scientific research and innovation activities.
'The amendment will provide additional funding for science in the coming years, with the increase mainly benefiting the area of innovation. This will ensure the conditions for effectively transferring knowledge to society,' said Dr Papič.
'Before this government came into power, €354 million was invested in scientific research activities. Last year, this government invested €528 million; this year, it is investing €674 million; and by 2026, more than €700 million will be invested in scientific research activities," stressed Dr Papič.
Further increase in science funding
The amendment to the ZZrID redefines the funding of scientific research and innovation activities with the aim of reaching 1.25 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the national budget, with one percent dedicated to scientific research and 0.25 percent to innovation activities. Although there is room for deviation in certain economic and exceptional circumstances, a minimum level of funding is guaranteed."
It also sets out how funding for scientific research and innovation will increase over time. The share of GDP will increase by 0.08 percentage points each year until the targets are reached.
The functioning of ARIS
New developments also concern the operation of the Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia (ARIS), including adjustments to its legal basis and policy formulation. Notably, the operational framework for ARIS, encompassing scientific research and innovation activities, is being established, necessitating the adaptation of all legal bases for the agency's operations and the design and implementation of scientific research and innovation policy measures and activities.
Translated by Deepl.