The Conference of Rectors of R&D applied to the President, the Government, the Seimas and the leaders of individual parties for funding at the end of October.
In a letter, the conference notes that the government is not adhering to the education agreement when planning next year’s state budget.
“The party agreement, which provides for more funding for R&D activities, has been well received by academia. However, we see that instead of the need for additional funds for state budget appropriations (EUR 67.7 million) calculated in accordance with the agreement, the project envisages allocating only LTL 24.1 million for R&D activities. Eur, ”said a positive address.
Warns of the consequences
According to the Rectors’ Conference, without a significant increase in appropriations for R&D, the agreement on political parties signed this year on education will not be reached.
“This would weaken the confidence of the country’s academic community in the parties and the authorities, as well as reduce the opportunities to contribute more effectively to the strengthening of an innovative, welfare state. <...> We believe that the refusal to consistently increase investment in R&D will have a negative impact on the further development of university higher education institutions and the state as a whole, ”says the Rectors’ Conference and requests to ensure adequate funding for R&D activities.
The refusal to consistently increase investment in R&D will have a negative impact on the further development of university higher education institutions and the state as a whole.
By signing an agreement on education on 1 September, parliamentary parties have pledged to steadily increase public funding for education and science from 2022 onwards.
The parties have predicted that by the end of 2030, the state budget allocations for R&D activities in higher education and the government sector will reach at least 1%. GDP, and by the end of 2024 – at least 0.75%. GDP.
Ministry: Funding for R&D will grow by 15 percent.
“Under the agreement, R&D funding will be gradually increased from 2022 onwards,” 15min indicated by the Communication Department of the MESM.
According to the ministry, it is planned to increase R&D funding by 15% next year:
“2021 LTL 159.2 million has been allocated from the state budget to finance R&D. Eur, 2022 it is planned to allocate 183.3 million. Eur, ie 15 percent. (EUR 24.1 million) more than this year. “
Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Budget
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“In addition, funding for R&D in 2022 an additional € 157.3 million is foreseen. “The European Union, co-financing and the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan,” the ministry added.
He says the project is still subject to change
And why is there no more public funding for R&D activities?
Additional state budget appropriations are allocated taking into account the state’s financial capabilities, the ministry stated:
R&D funding is subject to change.
“Currently, in 2022. the draft budget is being discussed in the Seimas, proposals for its improvement are being submitted, therefore the financing of R&D may change. ”
Currently, the draft state budget is being discussed in the Seimas committees, and its approval in the Seimas is scheduled for December 14.
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