R&D PARTNERING FOR EU BUSINESS AND RESEARCH COMMUNITY
OPEN INNOVATION IN RUSSIA, COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES
AND GEORGIA

The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to international scientific cooperation.
Founded on the basis of an international agreement signed by the European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, and the United States of America in 1994, and in 2004 by Canada, ISTC coordinates the efforts of numerous governments, international organizations and private sector organizations, providing scientists from Russia, Georgia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) opportunities towards meeting the technological and R&D demands of international business and industry.
Objectives
• Support the transition to market-based economies
• Contribute to solving national and global technological problems
• Encourage the integration of Russian, Georgian and CIS scientists into the international scientific community
• Provide Russian, Georgian and CIS scientists opportunities to use their talents to peaceful activities
• Support basic and applied research

The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) based in Moscow, works with both governmental and commercial organizations to source highly skilled scientists and research project teams and promotes high-tech innovation developments. ISTC also offers full project management services that take forward R&D projects and partnerships.

EU private companies, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations can access the services of ISTC by applying to become an ISTC Partner through a no-cost application procedure. This is possible because the EU is an ISTC Funding Party and Governing Board Member.

EU’s Role in the ISTC
EU is one of the main contributors to the ISTC since its establishment.

EU directly supports the operation of the Moscow-based ISTC Secretariat, including EU staff.
Since 1994, EU has contributed over $ 238.5 million to support scientists through the ISTC and has funded over 965 projects involving more than 41570 scientists with a number of private organizations, institutions and individuals acting as non-funding collaborators.
Moreover, EU has over 55 private and governmental Partners at the ISTC which funded 115 R&D projects managed by ISTC in Moscow for an amount of $40.9 million.

WHAT ISTC OFFERS TO EU BUSINESS

Cost-Free Technology Searches – With a network of over 900 prestigious institutes and more than
70,000 expert scientists, ISTC provides a cost-free service to assist EU business and research community to identify appropriate research teams and potential R&D partners in Russia, Georgia and CIS
Specialist Project Teams – ISTC can assemble expert project teams to identify and develop near-to market technologies of interest to EU business and research community.
Introduction and Travel Support – ISTC, can support scientists travel to meet potential EU business and research community partners in order to develop Partner Projects, provides bilingual staff to assist Partners with meeting arrangements, visa support and access to specialist research institutes as appropriate. On request ISTC can organize match-making meetings, thematic workshops and seminars.
Professional Project Management – ISTC offers full in-country project management services for R&D projects at 5% of total project cost (0% up to end 2010) and low-cost R&D incentives
Up to €30,000 Project Preparation Funding Support – EU Partners of the ISTC can apply for funding of up to 50 per cent (to a maximum of €30,000) towards a first-time R&D Partner Project Preparation. This is a new initiative supported by the EU, via ISTC
Further Benefits include – Customs and duty-free imports of equipment used in projects, direct and tax-free payments of grants to scientists working on EU partner projects, full on-site project monitoring by ISTC professional staff and the ISTC Partner has complete control of all project funds

For more information on ISTC, contact:
Albert Gozal, ISTC EU Promotion Manager
32-34 Krasnoproletarskaya ulitsa, 127473, Moscow, Russian Federation
Tel: +7 (495) 982-3281. E-mail: gozal@istc.ru
Further details on the ISTC can be found at www.istc.ru