Key Challenges Identified

The white paper outlines four primary challenges facing the Estonian R&I framework:

1. Recruiting and Retaining Young Talent: Despite significant growth in R&D funding, there has not been a corresponding increase in young researchers. The share of first-stage researchers and junior research fellows has declined, highlighting the need for strategies to attract and retain young talent in the R&I sector.

2. Outsized Dependence on Competitive Funding: The reliance on project-based funding has increased, creating instability for research groups. This dependence on external competitive funding sources poses a risk to the long-term sustainability of research projects.

3. Publishing High Impact Research in Volumes: There has been a stagnation in the publication of high-impact research. The number of researchers publishing papers has declined, particularly among early-career researchers, indicating a need for measures to boost research output and quality.

4. Suboptimal Knowledge Transfer Levels: The limited level of knowledge transfer between academia and industry remains a persistent issue. Enhancing collaboration between universities and businesses is crucial for fostering innovation and driving economic growth.

Proposed Solutions

The white paper takes a pragmatic approach, focusing on smaller-scale managerial changes that can be implemented within existing structures. Key recommendations include:

• For Recruiting and Retaining Young Talent:

  • Limit the teaching load of R2 level researchers to 20% of working hours to free up more time for R&D work.
  • Prioritize R2 researchers in grant writing support and establish an academic mentoring scheme.
  • Involve R1 level PhD researchers in larger research project conception stages to familiarize them with standard practices.
  • Establish clear promotion pathways for R1 researchers and assign individual academic mentors.

• For Reducing Dependence on Competitive Funding:

  • Match project-based funding with baseline funding to reduce reliance on external sources.
  • Invest in expanding grant writing services and provide professional support to promising researchers.
  • Develop expertise in data management and AI to enhance research capabilities.
  • Create interdisciplinary "dream team" groups and assign professional project managers for grant proposal development.

• For Increasing High Impact Research Publications:

  • Professionalize project management by assigning full-time project managers to R&D projects.
  • Encourage high-quality publications through writing retreats, awards, and grant writing support.
  • Establish seed grants for interdisciplinary projects to increase research output.
  • Promote international collaboration and co-authorships to enhance research quality and citation rates.

• For Enhancing Knowledge Transfer:

  • Include collaboration with businesses as a performance measure for individual researchers.
  • Introduce financial motivation packages within R&D service contracts to incentivize researchers.
  • Allocate part of R&D service contract overhead funds to support paper writing on the same project.

Conclusion

The "Improving Estonian R&I Framework" white paper provides a detailed analysis of the current challenges and offers practical solutions to enhance the sustainability and impact of Estonia's R&I sector. By implementing these recommendations, Estonia can strengthen its position as a leader in high-impact research and innovation.

Download the full white paper now to explore the comprehensive insights and recommendations that can drive positive change in the Estonian R&I landscape: ECePS WhitePaper Improving Estonian RI Framework.pdf