Armenian government approves additional funding for science

An additional approximately 2.36 billion drams ($6.54 million) will be allocated for upgrading scientific centers and funding grant-based research.

The funding was approved at the Cabinet meeting.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan said the funding will enable 12 scientific centers to be equipped with 21 pieces of equipment. Programs to involve scientists from abroad and establish remote laboratories will also receive funding. A total of 1 billion 567.3 million drams is earmarked for purchasing scientific equipment.

The minister said that investments made in this area in recent years have enabled universities and research institutes to conduct studies that previously required them to turn to laboratories abroad.

“At the same time, I should say that we are already seeing results that go beyond scientific research and the publication of its findings. We are also seeing experimental developments and work aimed at producing results of practical significance. In a number of our institutes and laboratories, this new equipment will complement existing capabilities and open up greater opportunities,” Andreasyan said.

As an example, the minister cited the acquisition of additional equipment for semiconductor research at Yerevan State University. The comprehensive analyzer planned for the Institute of Chemical Physics will also enable dual-use research, help produce practical results, and expand cooperation with the private sector.

A total of 789.6 million drams will be allocated for scientific grant-based research. The funding will support projects selected through the following competitions: “PostDoc-Armenia–2026,” “Remote Laboratory Establishment Program–2026,” and “Integration of Foreign Scientists into the Scientific Community of the Republic of Armenia–2026.”

According to Andreasyan, scientists participating in these programs come from various countries, ranging from India to Brazil.

The required 2 billion 356.9 million drams will be reallocated from the funds earmarked for the “Establishment of Academic City” program.

These funds have remained unused because the processes related to declaring the Academic City area to be of overriding public interest, as well as the approval of its master plan, have not yet been completed. The explanatory note attached to the government decision states that there is no need to restore the reduced funding by the end of the year. The reallocation will not change the state budget’s overall revenues or expenditures.