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The main goal of the activities of the Archimedes Foundation10 is to open the European education and research area for Estonia through various cooperation programmes and projects as well as to organize the accreditation of higher education and evaluation of research. The Archimedes Foundation is also the national contact organization for EU research and development framework programmes. Archimedes Foundation’s Implementing Agency of Structural Support11 is the agency responsible for implementing EU structural support during the period 2007–2013. The Archimedes Foundation mediates support for the strengthening of Estonian competitiveness in the field of research and development, including the development of human resources, the implementation of research programmes, and the modernization of institutions of higher education and scientific research establishments.
Membership of the Estonian Academy of Sciences12 includes approximately 60 top Estonian scientists. Ten research associations and societies and six research institutions have also joined the Academy in order to achieve common goals.
Research and archive libraries13 are designated by the Government of the Republic. The task of research libraries is to collect, store and process research information as well as to make it accessible for research purposes. The task of archive libraries is to compile national publications and to make them accessible for research purposes.
The Estonian Research Information System (ETIS)14 is a national register which incorporates information on R&D institutions, researchers, projects and research results. At the same time, ETIS is also used as a medium for the submission applications and reports as well as the revision and approval thereof.
The main objectives of research and development activities are specified in the Estonian research, development and innovation strategy Knowledge-based Estonia 2007–201315. Three main objectives are established in the strategy:
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Competitive quality and increased productiveness of research and development activities -
Innovative business activity creating added value in the global economy
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Innovation-friendly society aimed at long-term development
The key technologies in supporting R&D and innovation include:
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Information and communication technologies (ICT)
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Biotechnology
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Materials technology
These research-intensive and quickly developing fields are at the forefront of modern R&D and provide added value and increased productivity in many areas of life.
