In 2023, the new regional law On Science will come into force, in the development of which scientists from Altai State University took part

On January 1, 2023, the regional basic law On science and scientific and technical activity will come into force. It will create a legal basis for effective management of science and state support for scientific activities in Altai Krai.

The previous law, adopted back in the 90s, is outdated, and parliamentarians decided not to update it, but to develop a completely new law. The working group also included representatives of Altai State University: Rector, Doctor of Economic Sciences, professor Sergei Bocharov, Director of the Institute of Law of Altai State University, Doctor of Legal Sciences, an associate professor Anton Vasiliev, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovative Development Alexander Dunets, and Candidate of Legal Sciences, an associate professor, Chairman of the Committee for Education and Science of Altai Regional Legislative Assembly Alexander Molotov.

This basic law, among other things, defines the powers of the competent authorities in the field of science, said Alexander Molotov:

“This is a very important point. In Altai Krai, we have developed such a model of state management of science, when certain functions and powers are assigned to various government bodies. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education dealt partly with science, focusing more on higher education. The Ministry of Economic Affairs was responsible for science and innovation. Prizes in the field of science and technology – Ministry of Industry. Grants in the field of innovative products and biotechnology were issued by the Department of Food, Processing and Pharmaceutical Industries. The bill, among other things, envisages entrusting the Ministry of Education and Science with the function of coordinating the intersectoral activities of the relevant government bodies.”

Also, the law On Science and Scientific and Technical Activities for the first time in Altai Krai provides for the possibility of creating Science Support Funds. Their task is to ensure interaction between government, science and business, to promote the commercialization and promotion of science.

“Today the amount of grants and awards in the field of science in Altai Krai is very small. For example, the entire grant fund in the field of biotechnology is 5 million rubles per year. The size of the grant is 500 thousand rubles – this is not enough for science. And the size of the prize in the field of science and technology is 120 thousand rubles. The creation of Science Support Funds will make it possible to intensify interaction between science, government and business and attract additional funds. As practice shows, in Russia science is actively developing precisely in those regions where such structures have been created and operate,” notes Alexander Molotov.

For now, this provision is dispositive in the law. But next year, parliamentarians plan to pledge funds for the creation of a Science Support Fund in 2024.

The law served as a catalyst for the revision and updating of state support measures in the field of science. For example, according to Alexander Molotov, the size of the prize in the field of science and technology in 2023 will increase from 120 to 150 thousand rubles, 15 scientists will receive them; in the future, deputies plan to propose an increase in the number and volume of bonuses. The total amount of funds for grants in the field of biotechnology and funds for holding the annual competition of the Ministry of Education and Science “Intellectual Capital of Altai” has also been increased.