On January 13, 2016 the Government of Czech Republic approved the Concept of Information system of research, experimental development and innovation for the years 2016 - 2020. The new concept builds on the provisions of the Czech Republic for the years 2009 - 2015.

The introductory section of the concept defines connections with the Information system of R&D and innovation and approved policy documents. It also contains a description of the current situation and a description of the measures implemented under the previous approach. Finally, the concept defines 17 specific and targeted long-term measures. 

The new concept will extend the current evidence on the state of science and innovation in the Czech Republic. State will collect information on the results of innovation, the research contracts between scientists and business companies, and the level of international cooperation in science. The approved concept will allow better assessment of the effectiveness of incurred expenses and improve budget planning for Czech science. Contract research (i.e. research which carries out research organization for business companies) and international cooperation in science will be registered also. Czech Deputy Prime Minister for science, research and innovation - Pavel Bělobrádek said that "collaboration between researchers and companies and international cooperation are indicators of innovation performance and competitiveness of the country. In the future, we want these variables into account when evaluating research organizations.” 

The system should be modified for better information on the use of results of applied research. The activities of large research centers funded by the EU will be monitoring also. Investments by the EU funds, in fact, may generate demands for future funding from the state budget and this information allows better anticipate of future demands on the state budget. With respect to the state budget, the financial expenses in long-term grant projects and investment in scientific equipment (greater than 5 million Czech crowns) will be monitored also. The international identifier of scientists should be introduced also.   

Find the concept here.

Illustrative photo, source: flickr.com/Sébastien Avenet