Kazakhstan wants to increase the number of researchers. To this end, billions of tenge are allocated for grant programmes, and a mortgage programme for young scientists has been launched.
The total science budget in 2023-2025 increased 3.3 times compared to 2020-2022 and amounted to 643 billion tenge. At the same time, the budget for science for the period 2024-2026 is 729.5 billion tenge.
As a result of the competitions held, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education will implement 1981 grant-funded projects and 161 scientific and technical programmes for programme-targeted funding for research. Competitions for new research projects will continue in 2024.
A total of 86 billion tenge will be allocated to support young researchers under the national project ‘Young Scientist’. This programme is aimed at developing science in Kazakhstan from various angles, making it more competitive, ensuring economic and social progress and development of the country. It also provides for the allocation of KZT 18 billion in grant funding for research conducted by young scientists in 2024-2026.
The Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan made a statement on grant funding for scientific and technical and scientific projects in priority areas of scientific development.
These areas include:
- Efficient use of natural resources, biodiversity and environmental protection;
- Geological research, development and processing of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, new materials, technologies, safe products and structures;
- Energy and mechanical engineering;
- Basic scientific research;
- Medical sciences and healthcare;
- Information, communication and space technologies;
- Sustainable development of the agricultural sector and ensuring the safety of agricultural products;
- Social and humanitarian research;
- Research in the field of education and science;
- National security, defence and specialised research areas in accordance with the Competition Documentation.
Applications for the competition are submitted in electronic format using the electronic digital signature of both the postdoctoral researcher and the applicant through the information system provided by JSC ‘NCSTE’ to the Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan has launched a new housing programme for young scientists. Applicants will be able to purchase an apartment with a 10% down payment and 5% interest per annum. Housing is available in any region of the country. This initiative is one of the tools to support the scientific community. The government's goal is to stimulate active research and reduce the outflow of scientific personnel abroad. A preferential housing loan is available to Kazakh citizens under the age of 40 who hold a master's degree.
Candidates must have been involved in scientific, scientific and technical research or other projects subject to commercialisation for the last three years. No waiting in the housing queue is required. Heads of universities and institutes provide recommendations to young scientists. The scientist applies to the bank and, after confirming his or her solvency, has three months to find housing on the primary or secondary market. The main condition of the programme is that there is no real estate in the name of the researcher or their family members, i.e. this support is provided for the purchase of the first home.
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