Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Science and Technological Policy Signed by the Head of State
This document aims to develop science and implement technological policies, incorporating scientific achievements to ensure the country’s competitiveness and address strategic professional and social issues in scientific activities.
✔️ Firstly, a new mechanism for evaluating the justification and technological readiness (TRL) for the implementation of scientific research, from the idea stage to mass production, has been introduced to align the state’s scientific-technological and economic policies. The TRL mechanism encompasses all stages of the scientific-production cycle and commercialization, providing support.
Thus, Kazakhstan’s scientific-technological policy will focus on reducing the innovation gap with the world’s technological leaders.
✔️ Secondly, the status of the Science Fund has been expanded to become the National Agency for Technology Commercialization. It will serve as a single window for programs in the field of science and technology, supporting innovation infrastructure and attracting venture financing.
✔️ Thirdly, a new mechanism for collecting, processing, and analyzing scientific and technical information has been implemented to monitor scientific achievements, the innovation market, and new technologies, with the establishment of the National Center for Scientific and Technical Information.
Monitoring scientific and technical information will provide information and analytical support for the scientific process, contributing to the stability of scientific and innovation development and enhancing the efficiency of science management in the country, turning the scientific sector into a full-fledged segment of the digital economy.
✔️ Fourthly, to incentivize scientists, the right to acquire subsidized housing for young scientists is introduced. Additionally, the Tax Code provides for state incentives to offer tax benefits and deductions for expenses related to research, scientific and technical, and experimental-design work to scientific and/or scientific-technical entities. Tax deductions are provided at a rate of 50%.
✔️ Fifthly, the law improves the structure of science management. The law proposes granting local executive bodies the competencies to implement state science policy and coordinate research work through grant financing.
Additionally, the new status of the National Academy of Sciences as the highest scientific organization is defined, specifying its competencies, funding sources, and the authority of the Board of Trustees, the General Assembly of Academicians, the Presidium, and the Management Board.
Furthermore, the President signed the Law “On Public Procurement,” simplifying procurement procedures for scientific organizations. Henceforth, procurement procedures for research institutes and higher and/or postgraduate education organizations for conducting scientific research will be carried out according to rules approved by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in coordination with the authorized public procurement body.
