Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 October 2023, a panel session was held in the city of Tashkent as part of the International Week of Innovative Ideas “InnoWeek.Uz-2023”: “Implementation of the World Bank project Modernizing Uzbekistan National Innovation System (MUNIS). Current activity and future plans.”

The main purpose of this session was to discuss the progress of the MUNIS project. In particular, the mechanisms for the development of the field of science and innovation, developed and implemented within each of the following subcomponents, were presented in detail.

Subcomponent 1.1. Research Excellence Program (REP) aims at enhancing the ability of public research institutions to strive to achieve international standards of research quality. To achieve this, the subcomponent supports the implementation of modern research funding instruments based on two main criteria: strict selectivity in terms of scientific value and potential for commercial application or social relevance of the results. REP also prioritizes international collaboration (to improve research quality) and career development for young researchers.

Subcomponent 1.2. The Research Commercialization Program (RCP) aims to promote the commercialization of scientific research results. Its purpose is to promote and strengthen the long-term commercial sustainability of eligible beneficiaries by creating new and better quality jobs and marketable products and services. Employment opportunities will preferably be in the commercialization of scientific research, as well as in the design, production and delivery of high-tech products around the world.

Subcomponent 1.3. The Program for Modernization of Selected Public Research Institutes (PRIM) supports the development and implementation of institutional modernization plans for public research institutes. Also, the subcomponent will provide technical assistance to modernize research infrastructure.

Subcomponent 2.1. Innovation Capability Program (ICP). The objective of the sub-component is to enable SMEs to develop new or improved products, services and processes, enabling their expansion in domestic, regional and global markets. The ICP will fund (a) Supplier Development Alignment Grants for the adoption of quality standards by domestic SMEs under the Supplier Development Initiative (SDI); and (b) targeted technical assistance with possible procurement of equipment to support the modernization of selected parts of the national quality infrastructure (NQI) (equipment acquisition and implementation of regulatory reforms), if necessary.

Subcomponent 2.2. Business Investment in Research and Development (BIRD) program. The purpose of the sub-component is to encourage SME investment in R&D. This sub-component will therefore support later stages of research commercialization, R&D projects in SMEs and early stages of knowledge-based start-ups. BIRD will offer matching grants for joint SME R&D projects, as well as joint R&D projects between SMEs and public research institutes.

More than 150 representatives of the scientific and business communities, international experts, employees of authorized government bodies and interested organizations were invited to participate in the event.

The World Bank supports the innovation policy agenda of the Republic of Uzbekistan by financing the project “Modernization of the National Innovation System of Uzbekistan” (MUNIS), the implementation of which was launched by the Ministry of Innovative Development (in accordance with Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PKM-172 dated April 3, 2021 “On measures for the implementation of the project “Modernization of the national innovation system of Uzbekistan” with the participation of the International Development Association”) and is continued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

The MUNIS project has three key components that provide a set of policy tools to improve the productivity and economic value of research and development (R&D), stimulate enterprise-level innovation to develop new or improved products, technologies and processes, and also the creation of new institutions, such as the International Expert Council (IEC) and the Technology Transfer Center (TTC). In addition, the MUNIS project aims to provide technical assistance and capacity building to support the implementation of the mentioned activities. In particular, Component 1 supports improving the quality and relevance of R&D, as well as the modernization of research institutes through special competitive funding programs. Pillar 2 promotes sustainable innovation and industry-academic collaboration by providing co-financing for innovation, a local supplier development program, and selective improvements to the national quality infrastructure. Component 3 funds technical assistance to support the development, implementation and integration of pilot mechanisms into the mainstream public policy toolkit.