Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced that the country’s government plans to spend RUB 1.1 trillion ($36.8 billion) on fundamental and applied science, higher education, high-technology medicine, and special programs this year. Funding will include RUB 50 billion for new research centers, and RUB 90 billion to support universities. Speaking as the new chairman of the Cabinet’s High-technology Commission, Mr. Putin said the Commission has now been given authority over other government agencies. Mr. Putin also indicated that government agencies, which spend RUB 134 billion on procurement annually, will be encouraged to purchase high-technology solutions, as opposed to less expensive products. In addition, the Vneshekonombak development bank will be required to spend a set amount on high-technology investments. Mr. Putin cited the Kurchatov Institute, a nuclear research center, as a model scientific center. The Institute will receive RUB 12.5 billion over four years under a project to unify several research centers.

Source: The Moscow Times