Research equipment is an important part of research infrastructure for scientific and research activities.

Implementation

The Agency subsidises the purchase of research, information and communications equipment on the basis of public tender and through the direct allocation of funds to ICT organisations that provide the infrastructural basis for the implementation of the National research and development programme.

Funding

Subsidizing the purchasing of research equipment covers the acquisition of units when the unit cost exceeds EUR 10,000 in SIT equivalent on the day the tender is published.

A subsidy for the purchase of research equipment within this programme can amount to a maximum of 75% the cost per unit of research equipment.

The Rules on the Conditions and Methodology for the Selection of Proposals for Subsidised Purchase of Research Equipment set out the conditions for this form of subsidy. The selected proposals for subsidised purchase of research equipment are drawn up into a national list, known as a "package".

At present, the co-financing process for research equipment selected under a 2001 public call (package 11) is in its concluding stage, while the co-financing for research equipment selected under a 2003 public tender (package 12) is still underway.

In line with the Public Procurement Act, and other acts and provisions on public spending and implementing Slovenia's national budget, and in line with the Rules on Conditions and Methodology for the Selection of Proposals for Subsidised Purchase of Research Equipment (OGRS, No. 14/94 and No. 54/01), the beneficiaries of public funds have to purchase research equipment in accordance with the above legal provisions.