R&D Expenditure
R&I projects
R&I projects by STRIA Roadmap
Evolution of daily funding by mode (Eur)
Top 5 beneficiaries
Distribution of R&I projects by transport mode
Number of projects by funding origin
Distribution of EU funding by transport mode
The key document that will set out the research strategy in Romania is the National Strategy for Research, Technological Development and Innovation 2021-2027 (SNCDI), but this is yet to be approved. This document encourages local economic development through new instruments and regulates their organization and funding.
For the 2014-2020 SNCDI, the main instrument for implementing this strategy was the National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation 2015-2020 (PNCDI III). PNCDI IV is in the process of being approved as of June 2022 for the 2021-2027 planning period. PNCDI III ensured the coordination, coherence and implementation of R&D policies and detailed seven schemes in different research areas that followed the principles and objectives laid out by the SNCDI. The SNCDI was also put into practice through the Competitive Operational Programmes ‘Research, Development and Innovation supporting economic competitiveness and business development’ and ‘Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a competitive digital economy’ coordinated by the Intermediate Body for Research.
The key transport planning document is the Romania General Transport Master Plan which outlines short- and long-term strategies to improve national and trans-European connectivity for business and society. It establishes a framework for the prioritisation and evaluation of transport infrastructure projects using multi-criteria analysis for several indicators.
The Ministry of Research and Innovation (MCI) is the central body responsible for R&D policy, as well as the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of scientific research, technological development and innovation. The Ministry develops strategy for the implementation of Government research programmes and evaluates the use of resources to implement policies within its areas of activity. As the state authority of research, development and innovation, the ministry holds the responsibility of enforcing regulatory measures of the Government and the EU within its areas of activity, and of providing support for the participation in Horizon2020 and other EU programs. Operating under authority of the MCI is the Institute of Transport Research (INCRETRANS) which is the Government body responsible for applied research, design, and consultancy studies and services in the field of transport, traffic and the environment.
The Ministry is supported by an advisory board made up of four organisations:
- Advisory Board for Research, Development and Innovation (CCCDI);
- National University Research Council (CNCS);
- National Council of Ethics for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (CNECSDTI);
- National Council for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CNTTI).
The Ministry of Transport is responsible for setting national transport policy, specific strategies and regulations for transport, and is the state authority in transport. By preparing sectoral documents, the Ministry of Transport contributes to setting transport priorities.
The instruments for financing Romanian research are:
- Funds from the state budget;
- Funds from the private sector;
- Funds available from international programmes.
The body responsible for the coordination of funding for R&D is the Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI), which is a public institution under the Ministry of Education. The agency conducts studies to inform the distribution of funds allocated from the state budget and coordinates, in administrative terms, the PNCDI III.
Transport research can be funded in several ways in Romania:
- Transport research is mainly financed by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Research and Innovation;
- International funding is provided by the EU;
- Individual research grants available through the Competitive Operational Programmes coordinated by the Intermediate Body of Research, under authority of the Ministry of Research and Innovation.
Current ongoing national programmes include:
- PNCDI IV - (still in the process of being approved)
- REGELE CAROL I - Programme to provide grants for young researchers
- Cohesion fund - provides support to Member States with a gross national income (GNI) per capita below 90% EU-27 average to strengthen the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU.
International research and cooperation programmes and partnerships of the European Union relevant to Romania are:
Latest projects
Multisensory robotic system for aerial monitoring of critical infrastructure systems
Multilayer inorganic/organic tribological coatings for space applications — SpaceCoat
Management Strategies for development of motivation in work for the employees from the urban public transport
National architecture for road ITS
Technology and information systems based on current and medium voltage unconventional sensors for the management of electrical locomotives power consumption with a view to the alignment to the European Standards
A modern system of commutation and protection of the electrical power lines in the railway transport in view of alignment to the requirements of the European system
Strategy of research and technological development in the fields of transports, territory management, constructions and urbanism in the perspectives of integration in the European Research Area
Transport optimisation by information-communication, mobile and spatial technologies
TRIMIS Search Hub
Latest funding programmes
Environment, Energy and Resources
Stimulating the Invention Application
Territory Arrangement and Transport
Territory Arrangement and Transport
Economic Re-Launching by Research and Innovation
