Russia to ‘protect property’ of science academy for further year

Russia is to extend a ban preventing scientific institutions from leaving the care of the Federal Agency for Scientific Organisations, to give the country’s scientists time to adapt to ongoing reforms.

In a speech at the Presidential Council for Science and Education on 8 December, president Vladimir Putin confirmed that an existing moratorium would be continued for a further year. This will ensure the “reliable protection of property and resources” for scientists to use, the president said.

During the session, Putin defended the reforms introduced in 2013, which put the Russian Academy of Sciences under the control of the federal agency. “We have established more flexible and convenient mechanisms for financing science,” said Putin.