The situation in the science and innovation sphere

Two ongoing parallel processes marked the year 2016. The first one had to do with the continuing implementation of previously planned measures, although it clearly fell behind the earlier established schedule. The scientific research community defined it as progressive stagnation. The second process involved the active elaboration, at the government level, of new strategic documents aimed at a fundamental revision of current policies in the sphere of science and innovation. These were the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation, the National Technology Initiative (NTI) Strategy, and the draft federal law On Scientific, Scientific-technological and Innovation Activity in the Russian Federation, to supersede the Federal Law On Science and State Scientific and Technological Policy enacted in 1996. In August, a new RF Minister of Education and Science was appointed, and so it could be expected that the priorities of the government policy in the field of science and related measures would likewise be adjusted. The focus may well be shifted towards the sphere of education, which is also important from the point of view of science: the creation of high quality human resources in the field of scientific research begins in the secondary school education system. In spite of the introduction of a number of comprehensive measures aimed at support and promotion, some aspects of the issues that have to do with lack of personnel in certain key areas have never been resolved. Among other things, it is necessary to alter the hierarchical and age structure of research personnel, create proper conditions for their career growth, and properly adjust the highest-level qualification training system.