Regional landscape of applied science in Russia (on the example of the Federal Targeted Program "Research and development in priority areas of development of the Russian scientific and technological complex for 2014-2020")
This study examines geographical distribution of scientific projects supported by federal targeted program “Research and Development in Priority Areas for the Development of the Russian Scientific and Technological Complex for 2014-2020”. Based on this distribution we assess innovation potential of regions in Russia and analyze how geographical proximity of scientific and industrial organization influence on innovation potential of regions. Paper aim to identify scientific specialization of Russia's regions and to analyze the nature of the relationship between scientific organizations and industrial partners in the regional context. To achieve this goal, we carry out a statistical analysis based on program monitoring's data, as well as data obtained from survey conducted in 2016-2017. We analyze distribution of the projects by Priority Areas, the main characteristics of recipients of subsidies and industrial partners, their geographical location and mutual relations with one another. Our conclusion is that there is a significant geographical differentiation of the innovation potential in Russia, which is to a certain extent explained by the availability in the industrialized regions of demand for the results of applied research. We also conclude that federal targeted program does not achieve one of its main objectives - increasing role of business enterprise sector in financing R&D in Russia. The paper shows that the particularly deplorable situation in this respect has arisen in such priority areas of science as “Life Sciences” and “Rational Nature Management”. Weak connections between industry and science in some regions can be explained by regions specialization in these priority areas. The results of the analysis show the need for further improvement of government tools that support applied research in Russia.