Estonia may miss 1% of GDP target for research and development in 2027 — ERR News

In Estonia, funding for research and development in 2027 may not reach the agreed level of 1% of GDP. The draft state budget approved by the government on Monday allocates 0.97% of GDP for these purposes, ERR News reports.

Funding of €455 million

Education Minister Kristina Kallas said that funding for research next year will amount to €455 million. The same amount is planned for research and development in 2028 and 2029.

According to Kallas, the nominal amount of funding will not decrease, but its share of GDP will decline. The explanatory note to the draft budget states that funding will be maintained at the level agreed in the state budget strategy for 2025–2028.

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Budget and external funding

At the same time, in 2027 the government plans to reduce funding for research and development from the state budget by €2.5 million. The final amount of funding will also depend on Estonia's agreements with the European Commission on the national plan, negotiations on whose financing are still ongoing.

Kallas noted that external funding will end in 2029. To avoid a nominal reduction in spending and maintain the amount at €455 million, the government decided to add funds from the state budget.

In 2018, leaders of political parties, scientists and business representatives signed a public agreement to increase funding for research, development and innovation to 1% of GDP.