Estonian science 2025
-
Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Research Council
In an era of fiscal austerity and geopolitical flux, Estonia’s research system stands at a pivotal crossroads.
Anu Noorma, head of the Estonian Research Council, outlines the sector’s current challenges: volatile funding, an overreliance on EU structural instruments, and mounting pressures on scholars amid fragmented support. While business R&D investment is rising and international grant capture commendable, foundational science is receding. Doctoral output lags behind European benchmarks, with early-career researchers deterred by administrative burdens and uncertain prospects. Yet, Estonia’s scientific productivity and public trust in science remain robust. To join the ranks of innovation leaders, Estonia must fortify its research base, embrace long-horizon inquiry, and uphold academic freedom. With reforms to its science law imminent, this is a moment to act boldly—balancing excellence, utility, and sustainability in a fiercely competitive global knowledge economy.