Research and development activities

TAI strategy establishes the general directions and aims of research, development and innovation in the state, and points out areas to be primarily developed, which are related to wise specialisation. For enacting such wise specialisation, national programme(s) are formed. More precise aims, directions and budget are to be specified by other development plans or programmes. The programme establishes nationally important research and development themes, their potential sources, schemes and extent of financing.

In organising research and development, the Ministry of the Environment cooperates with Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, Estonian Research Council and research institutions. Cooperation memorandums are concluded with Estonian universities, aiming at agreeing on cooperation. For example, seminars are jointly organised for students, where they get to know what are the interests and areas of activity of the Ministry of the Environment, and they also get a possibility to introduce their research, which could be of interest to the Ministry.

• The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for coordination of its research and development activities, development of research and development programmes, as well as the organisation and financing of them.
• The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for planning and financing of general research and development activities, but area specific programmes, their implementation and coordination has been given to different ministries, who are responsible for setting priorities and implementation in cooperation with the experts and researchers of their field.