Midcareer Seminars in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy

CIPRE plans to offer advanced training courses for S&T policy practitioners from the nations of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on a regular basis beginning in 2002.  These courses, which will be very intensive, are designed to cultivate a network of young leaders in S&T and innovation policy throughout the CEE countries and provide them with mentors in their own countries who will serve as resource-persons for them as they develop their careers. 

The first course was held in Budapest, 14-25 January 2002 on the theme, “The Changing Role of National Governments in STI  Policy Making  in the Age of Globalization and Regionalization."  The faculty consisted of senior policy makers, mainly from Western Europe and North America.

Among the subjects covered were:

• The changing role of national governments in policy making
• Shaping and managing policy
• Priority-setting
• Requirements for policy design and implementation:  Lessons from European Union member states
• Budgeting for S&T and innovation
• Facilitating and managing S&T and innovation policy; international cooperation
• Encouraging and regulating foreign (multinational) investment in S&T and innovation
• International relations in scientific and technical subjects
• Public-private relationships and government-industry-university partnerships in S&T
• Regional innovation policy
• Restructuring of innovation systems in  the CEE countries
• Development and presentation of policy papers
• Managing public debates
• Developing problem-solving and communication skills

One of the unique features of CIPRE's approach is the assignment of Mentors in their home countries to participants in the midcareer seminars.  These Mentors, who are senior policymakers in the science, technology, and innovation field, will serve as resource persons for the midcareer trainees, helping in their career development on a continuing basis.  A seminar for Mentors was held in Budapest in November 2001.  Information about this seminar can be found on the Mentor Seminar page.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is willing to host one or two interns in S&T policy from CEE countries at its offices in Washington, DC.  These interns will have the opportunity to participate in AAAS S&T policy activities, including the R&D Budget and Policy Program; the Research Competitiveness Program; the Program on Scientific Freedom, Responsibility, and Law; and  the Center for S&T and Congress.  Support for these internships is available from the NATO Program in Science and Technology Policy and Organization.  Please contact Dr. Albert Teich at AAAS for additional information.

Internships at CIPRE and IKU in Budapest may also be arranged.  Interns may work on CIPRE research projects or initiate their own projects under CIPRE auspices. Contact Dr. Annamaria Inzelt for details. 

NATO support is also available for internships at other institutions in Western Europe and North America.  CIPRE staff will be pleased to assist interested and qualified persons from CEE countries in making arrangements and applying for funds.

CIPRE encourages young scientists from NATO Partner Countries to take advantage of NATO’s S&T Policy Scholarship program. Under this program, recipients can receive up to two years of support to pursue a graduate degree in science and technology policy at an institution in a NATO country.  Applicants must have a first university degree.  For details on how to apply, see the NATO S&T Policy and Organization web site.   The AAAS Online Guide to Graduate Education in Science, Engineering and Public Policy provides information on universities in the United States and a number of other countries that offer graduate education in S&T policy.