Estonian Academy of Sciences president demands independent budget

Estonian Academy of Sciences president Mart Saarma has proposed funding the academy from a separate budget line, with the amount tied to 0.01 percent of GDP. According to Saarma, this change would ensure the academy's independence and strengthen the role of scientists in advising the state.

Estonian Academy of Sciences president Mart Saarma has proposed that the academy be funded from a separate budget line starting next year. According to Saarma's vision, the funding amount should be tied to 0.01 percent of gross domestic product, which would ensure stable and predictable financing for the academy.

Saarma says such a solution is necessary above all to ensure the academy's independence. The current funding structure does not allow the academy to fulfill its primary role with sufficient autonomy, which also undermines scientists' ability to effectively advise state leaders.

The proposal emphasizes that the Estonian Academy of Sciences' mission is not only to advance science, but also to provide competent and impartial expert knowledge to state decision-makers. A separate budget line would create the institutional foundation necessary for this, independent of annual political budget negotiations.

Funding tied to GDP would ensure that the academy's budget grows in line with economic development, making long-term planning easier for the research institution and increasing the impact of its work.