Research and Innovation background
Research and development is a key priority of the Slovak Government, with various policies and strategic documents guiding these efforts. Key documents include:
- Strategy for Smart Specialisation of the Slovak Republic (RIS3): This document is fundamental in defining Slovakia’s research and innovation strategy. It aims to enhance the country’s competitiveness by focusing on specific sectors that have the potential for growth and innovation. It sets out priority areas for investment, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, energy efficiency, and biotechnology.
- Recovery and Resilience Plan: This plan outlines a comprehensive set of reforms and investments designed to support Slovakia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate the green and digital transformation of the economy. The plan consists of measures that will address the challenges identified in the context of the European Semester, in particular in the European Commission's recommendations to Slovakia. The plan also includes measures aimed at addressing the challenges facing Slovakia in the context of the green and digital transformation.
- Strategic Plan for the Development of Slovak Transport until 2030: A long-term strategic document that aims to set out objectives for the development of transport and determines the methods by which the objectives will be achieved. As part of this, the document provides a framework for national transport research.
- Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation of the Slovak Republic 2021-2027(SK RIS3 2021+): A strategic document defining the objectives, policy system and measures in the field of research, innovation and human resources. It aims to support the structural change of the Slovak economy towards growth based on increasing research and innovation capacity and excellence in the segments with the highest competitive potential.
- 2030 Strategy for Digital Transformation of Slovakia: A cross-sectional government strategy that addresses the policy priorities of Slovakia in the context of currently ongoing digital transformation of economy and society under the influence of innovative technologies and global megatrends of the digital era.
- Urban Development Policy of the Slovak Republic: Aims to create sustainable urban environments by integrating transport planning into broader urban development strategies, promoting efficient public transport and infrastructure enhancements.
- Vision and Development Strategy of Slovakia 2030: Establishes a vision for sustainable transport, identifying goals such as emission reductions and improved public transport services.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Institutional framework of transport research
The transport research program is comprehensive and shared by several national institutions.
- Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sports: Responsible for drafting, implementing and evaluating national science and technology policies.
- Ministry of Transport and Construction: Responsible for developing and implementing transport policies. It works in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop a sustainable transport system.
- Ministry of Finance: Provides funding for national R&D through the state budget, which sets out public funding programmes and benchmarking indicators.
- Slovak Government Board for Science, Technology, and Innovation: Advises the Government in the preparation and implementation of science and technology policy. It is the key advisory body for the coordination of the Slovak research and development. It consists of 23 representatives of central government ministries, higher education institutions, research institutions, and industry and employers' associations.
- Slovak Research and Development Agency (SRDA): Responsible for R&D promotion in all research fields, including international research cooperation. It also plays a key role in managing R&D grant schemes.
All information about Slovak R&D is available on the Current Research Information System (CRIS), which is a national register that provides data on projects financed by public resources and their results, R&D institutions and researchers.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
Transport research is funded through national research funding. The main sources of public support for R&D are:
- State budget
- EU Framework Programmes
- Structural Funds
- National/Regional Programmes
The allocation of funds is organised by several agencies operating under the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sports.
Current funding sources or initiatives include:
- Scientific Grant Agency (VEGA): A joint advisory body of the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sports and an auxiliary body of the presidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) for projects selected for funding from institutional finance resources under two sub-chapters of the State Budget: the University-based science and technology, and the Slovak Academy of Science. The key activity of the VEGA is to support basic research in the SAS and universities in general and institutional finance in particular. The VEGA is an advisory body in field of implementation of S&T policies, financing basic research and evaluation of research projects.
- Cultural and Educational Grant Agency (KEGA): The internal grant system which is aimed at funding projects of applied research in the fields of education, teaching and creative and performing arts, which are initiated by investigators from public universities or the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic.
- Slovak Research and Development Agency (SRDA): The research and development grant agency in the Slovak Republic. It was established by the Act No.172/2005 in July 2005 and it is a successor of the previous agency functioning since 2001. SRDA is the instrument for distribution of public finances for research and development on the competitive basis in Slovakia. SRDA is responsible for research and development promotion in all research fields, including international research cooperation.
- Slovak Research and Development Agency (Agentúra na podporu výskumu a vývoja – APVV): The major R&D grant agency in Slovakia. It was established in July 2005 and it is a successor of the previous agency running since 2001. In 2014 – 2020, the expenditure on operations and programmes of APVV is planned for 316 million €. The Agency acts in compliance with the long term objective of the S&T policy and its programmes are approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic.
- Eurostars: A funding initiative specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaging in international R&D collaborations. It provides grants of up to €450,000 per project.
- Innovation Fund for Climate Action: This fund supports innovative projects that contribute to greenhouse gas reduction, which can encompass sustainable transport solutions. It offers funding for both large-scale projects and smaller initiatives.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)