Visiting Researcher's Guide - EURAXESS Estonia

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The higher education and research potential in Estonia is concentrated in two main cities
– Tallinn and Tartu. In Estonia R&D is closely connected to the universities. There are
also several independent research institutes performing research at a high level.
1.1 R&D strategy
At present the main guideline and document for Estonian R&D policy is Knowledge-based
Estonia, the Estonian Research and Development and Innovation strategy for 2007–2013, that
was approved by the Riigikogu (Parliament) in February 2007. The strategy outlines the aspiration
of Estonia to become a knowledge-based society where R&D are valued highly as one of
the preconditions for the functioning and development of the entire society.
The strategy sees Estonia as an innovative, highly competitive, successful country within the
European research and economic area. The document emphasizes the necessity for a longterm
perspective in R&D investments, in order to better weigh the impacts and requirements
arising from external factors (global trends in scientific, technological and economic development;
the internationalisation of research, etc.) as well as internal factors (the implementation
analysis of the previous strategy document, the need to apply scientific knowledge to meet
socio-economic challenges, etc.). The strategy highlights the key role of human resources and
the transfer of knowledge in raising the quality of R&D and building the innovative capacity of
industry. It also devises the instruments for achieving the identified aims.
Estonian Research and
Development and Innovation
Strategy for 2007–2013
http://www.hm.ee/index.
hp?0&popup=download&id
=5961
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