The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy informed that the members of the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Hroisman, were taking part in the plenary session.
Then, the question hour saw the off.
The Chairman gave the floor to Liliia Hrynevych, Ukraine’s Education and Science Minister, who was intended for delivering the report about the birth and future launch of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, as provided for by the governmental resolution of July 4.
The establishment of the foundation is very important for Ukraine since it is believed to become the key element of a new science financing system and to lawfully give another good turn to reforming the system of funding science through a fair apportioning of the funds for the cream of Ukrainian scientists. This objective is seen to become one of the polarest goals for the government until 2020.
“The said reforms ought to rest upon clear and forthright intentions of the government to up the science financing,” stressed the rapporteur. According to her, a lion’s share of the funding - about 90% - falls at the state budgetary funds, whilst the remainder comes from grants.
She also observed that the Government had fulfilled its commitment to increase funding for science through the rise in the budget appropriations up to 69% over the period from 2015 to 2017.
“We are aiming to double the money provisions within two years. This is a challenging goal for the government’s pocket but still lacking for a real breakthrough in Ukraine’s science,” added the speaker.
The existing local funds allocation system seems to be rather inappropriate by offering the money to many budget owners. The ministry is only entitled to have the say for 20% of the science money.
“It is of great significance for now that these funds be allocated through a transparent and clearly understandable tender steered by the National Research Foundation,” underscored L. Hrynevych in conclusion.
The Prime Minister and the members of the Government answered the questions from the floor.
The question hour ended at this point.