Science in Belarus

Belarus is among the world’s scientifically and technologically advanced nations. Over the years of sovereignty, the country has preserved and significantly strengthened its scientific potential. This is confirmed by the country’s high positions on international rankings (ICT Development Index, Human Development Index, Good Country Index, Doing Business, etc.).

Science is one of the most important attributes of the country’s statehood and sovereignty. It provides intellectual support to the key goal, namely building a strong and prosperous Belarus.

Belarusian science is a system of interacting organizations that are engaged in research and development across a wide range of areas with a view to obtaining and applying the newest knowledge and meeting the advanced frontier of world scientific and technological progress. Key scientific sectors are represented by academic, university, industry and corporate science.

Priorities and Achievements of Belarusian Science Human Resource Potential Innovative Development Intellectual Property International Sci-Tech Cooperation

Science, research and development, certification of scientific personnel of the highest qualifications, and innovative development are supervised by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), the State Committee on Science and Technology and the Higher Attestation Commission of the Republic of Belarus. Key areas of research are determined by state research programs, scientific and technological programs (state, regional, industry programs), other state programs and innovative projects.

National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
National Academy of Sciences. Full size

The National Academy of Sciences provides the framework for the comprehensive development of the country’s scientific and technological capacity. It is the supreme state scientific organization, the intellectual and expert center of Belarus and the backbone of the system generating new ideas and knowledge. The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus subordinates to the President of the Republic of Belarus and is accountable to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus organizes, coordinates and carries out fundamental and applied research across major areas of natural, engineering and human sciences. It is the head organization providing scientific and methodological support for informatization. The areas of research are determined by the country’s social and economic needs and scientific, technological and innovation priorities. The National Academy of Sciences functions as a large research and production corporation integrating program, project and cluster forms of scientific institutions, R&D centers and manufacturing capacities. 

The structure of the National Academy of Sciences has been considerably streamlined in recent years. New types of organizations (research centers and associations) were established. The NASB became the core organization of the International Association of the Academies of Sciences that encompasses 15 academies of sciences of several post-Soviet states and a number of other countries. The NASB is actively promoting international cooperation based on agreements and treaties with the world’s biggest research hubs.

Belarus’ State Committee on Science and Technology implements the government’s policy, performs regulatory and managerial functions in science, technology, engineering and innovations, protects intellectual property rights, runs the integrated system of state scientific and technical examination. The committee reports to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

The Higher Attestation Commission is entitled to regulate attestation of scientists and academic staff of the highest qualification. The commission reports to the President of the Republic of Belarus.