Support to integrate the research, development and innovation organisations in Romania in the European Research Area

Information in brief (objective, date of approval/ratification of the legislative act) and a brief description (objective, content of the legislative act, initiator, date of adoption/publication, main benefits brought to citizens).

Objective of the reform

The objective of this reform is to increase the performance and consolidation of the public research, development and innovation organisations in Romanian and their integration into the European Research Area.

The reform shall be implemented by entry into force of legislation that encourages, facilitates and regulate the voluntary and functional integration and merger of research institutions.

The legislative framework shall take into account the recommendations of the 2021-2022 Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility, and shall specify at the minimum: a periodic external evaluation of the performance of all research, development and innovation organisations in Romania, and their capacity to add value to the international scientific community and create social and economic impact.

The periodic evaluation shall identify synergies and potential mergers among research institutes, and access to financial and non-financial support for research organisations shall depend on the results of these periodic evaluations.

The implementation of the milestone of the reform shall be completed by 31 December 2022.

Date of approval/ratification of the legislative act Law no. 25/2023 regarding the voluntary integration of research, development and innovation organizations from Romania in the European Research Area, as well as for the amendment of Government Ordinance no. 57/2002 on scientific research and technological development was published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 33 of 11.01.2023.

The document was initiated by MCID.

Main benefits brought to citizens

The enter into force of the law address the high fragmentation of the research system in Romania and encourage, facilitate and regulate the integration of research institutions into the European Research Area, access to financial and non-financial support for research organisations.