The National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation is a public legal entity under the ministry responsible for education. It was established by Council of Ministers Decision no. 607 of 31.08.2016, “On the establishment, composition, organisation and functioning of the National Agency for Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation”.
See also Mission and Vision
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Mission and Vision
Mission
The Agency’s mission is to build a modern scientific system. It works to strengthen scientific and technological research and to integrate it into higher education structures, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and promoting collaborative activities and partnerships at home and abroad, in order to reinforce research capacity in the country and the region.
Vision
The Agency’s vision is to act as a coordinating and guiding structure working with science and technology institutions in the service of the country’s sustainable development, in line with national priorities, supporting the development of scientific and technological policy and administering research and development activity across institutions.
Main functions
- Strengthening scientific research and technological development;
- Supporting their integration into the higher education system;
- Promoting national and international partnerships in research.
Organisational Structure
The Agency’s organisational structure is set out in CMD no. 607 of 31.08.2016. The Agency is directed by the Board of Administration as its collegiate decision-making body and is organised into two programme directorates.
Board of Administration
The Agency’s collegiate decision-making body, which approves priority fields for financing, internal regulations and project funding.
Directorate of National Programmes
- National Research and Development Programmes;
- Technology and Innovation Sector.
Directorate of International Programmes
Administers Albania’s participation in international research programmes, including:
- The CEEPUS programme;
- The COST programme;
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions;
- Bilateral scientific cooperation agreements.
Board of Administration
The Board of Administration is the Agency’s collegiate decision-making body. Its composition and functioning are set out in CMD no. 607 of 31.08.2016.
The Board is chaired by the minister responsible for education and meets no fewer than six times a year.
Composition
The Board is composed of representatives of the following institutions:
- The Minister of State for Innovation and Public Administration;
- Two senior representatives of the ministry responsible for education;
- The Director of the National Agency for Higher Education Financing;
- The Director of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education;
- A representative of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania;
- A representative of the Conference of Rectors;
- A representative of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania.
Competences
- Approves the priority research fields to be financed;
- Establishes expert commissions for evaluation;
- Adopts internal regulations;
- Proposes the Agency budget;
- Approves project funding on the basis of expert assessment;
- Evaluates research activity at higher education institutions;
- Publishes the annual activity report within the first quarter of the following year.