Fruitfully cooperating with its partner - the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) and a great number of other international organizations over the last ten years, the Moldovan Research and Development Association (MRDA) played an essential role in supporting the science and technology sector in Moldova.
Therefore, over 2500 young and experienced scientists benefited of about 300 projects and grants, announced and supported by the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) in common with its Moldovan partner – Association MRDA. During this partnership about 60 seminars, trainings, national and international conferences were organized. Under Moldovan Travel Fellowship Program MRDA awarded 40 young scientists and engineers with travel grants for a period of two to three months and more to the United States. They had the opportunity to work in up-to-date laboratories and initiate collaboration with US scientists. Upon return to Moldova young people were eligible to apply for a Follow-on grant to continue collaboration with newly established US partners.
To fulfilled its mission MRDA organizes grant competitions, provides technical assistance, and delivers seminars, conferences and various trainings. All these activities aim at enhancing the scientific infrastructure, supporting the young generation of scientists, integrating research with education, opening R&D opportunities to scientists, and creating the right environment for innovation promotion. Grants were awarded to renew the research infrastructure and encourage science and business partnerships.
During this activity also three centres of excellence in advanced biotechnology, nanotechnology and microelectronics were created in Technical University, Institute of Research “ELIRI” and Institute of Physiology of Plants. Eight laboratories from different institutions were supported through acquisition of modern and large-scale pieces of equipment. The Central Scientific Library of Academy of Science was awarded a grant with a special destination to improve to internet resources for researchers of the Academy of Science of Moldova and the Moldovan University system by providing needed maintenance and cost-effective upgrades to the networking infrastructure. MRDA in collaboration with CRDF implemented as well interesting special program (STEP) to deliver a progressive series of scientific-business community building events to increase interaction between entrepreneurial scientists and the greater business community. During this program seven seminars to promote R&D partnerships between companies and teams of scientists were organized in order to develop new commercial opportunities of economic benefit to both parties. The cooperation between Moldovan and American scientists is appreciate and in the context of reforms in the sphere of science and innovation organized in Moldova. The well known American experts participated in the elaboration of regulatory framework and institutional development in the field of science and technology. Moldova’s success in CRDF programs is a very good opportunity to continue the cooperation with other countries for the benefits of the scientific community of Moldova.
Press-service of ASM |
