RTD is still a marginal undertaking in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244). Until recently, the general expenditure on R&D in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) amounted to only approximately 0.1% of its GDP. This is a ratio significantly below the European average, and even well below the average of the regional neighbourhood and many developing countries. The absorptive knowledge and technology capacities in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) are severely limited in size, scope and quality. A reason for this deficit is the absence of any critical mass of research and technological development (RTD) funding for at least the last 20 years.

The present Research Programme of Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) aims to counterbalance these deficits by providing a conceptual orientation frame for upgrading scientific capacities in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244). Clearly, the research sector per se is not the only beneficiary of this approach; other policy areas, such as economic policy, health policy, environmental policy, agricultural policy, urban and rural planning, foreign policy and European integration policy do immediately benefit from an upgraded knowledge base of the research capacities of Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244).

Specific science and technology (S&T) targets, which are needed to support the socio-economic development of Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) towards a knowledge society, have been identified and need to be managed systematically:
■ Development of human capacity for research activities
■ Development of research infrastructure
■ Internationalisation of scientific research activity
■ Strengthening the links between science and society and economy for enhancing economic and social development
■ Excellence in research and scientific activity

For each objective the targets and most crucial activities to achieve them are outlined.
Furthermore, research priorities have been identified in a participatory process to which funding from Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) as well as international RTD funding should be channeled. The range of identified research priorities reflects the generic thirst of Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) to catch up in the area of S&T across different disciplines. Priorities were set and led to the following five research priorities:
1. Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
2. Agricultural Production and Food Safety
3. Medical Research
4. Social and Economic Studies
5. Linguistic, Cultural and Historic Studies

In addition, the field of Information and Communication Technologies is considered as a cross-horizontal priority that may occur in any of the abovementioned fields.

The Research Programme also contains an implementation plan indicating the responsibility, timing and the budgets for each planned activity. The necessary budget to implement the instrumental activities stipulated in the present Research programme in order to meet the objectives of the Law on Scientific Research and to serve the identified priorities is characterised by a steep yearly increase from € 1 million in 2010 to more than € 6 million in 2015.

The planning process involved more than 100 researchers and policy makers from Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) and was supported by the Kosovo-Austria Partnership Project in the field of Higher Education and Science (KAIP).

Author: Dukagjin Pupovci