The Ministry of Education and Research is responsible for planning, coordinating, fulfilling and supervising education and research policies. In addition, the ministry organizes evaluations for research and development institutes. The Research Policy Committee advises the Minister of Education and Research on strategic development plans for research and development in Estonia, as well as on matters related to the policy-making.
The Ministry of Education and Research is focused on activities that help to modernize the research system, give an adequate overview of the demands of the job market, and aid in offering vocational-, higher education, and adult learning based on societal needs. The scope of activities includes a plan to update the structure of research and development (R&D) to incorporate key topics in the modern scientific landscape, such as Open Science and research ethics, as well as to streamline the state oversight system and funding instruments.
The Ministry of Education and Research has led the development of Estonia’s Open Science framework. The purpose of this framework is to establish timeless general principles and position Open Science as both a guiding model for governance and a response to key challenges in the research system.
The Research, Development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (RDIE) Development Plan 2021–2035 is one of the key supporting documents that outlines a strategic course of action for implementing Open Science principles within the Estonian research system.
Estonia’s Education and Youth Board (Harno) signed the Good Research Practice Agreement on January 9th, 2022, thereby committing to support the adherence to and advancement of good research practices in its activities. A total of 23 Estonian institutions have joined the agreement, including three organizations that support education, research, and development: the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM), the Estonian Research Council (ETAG), and Harno.
