The Armenian government plans to significantly reduce funding for the scientific sector in 2025 while increasing spending on the development of the military-industrial complex.
According to the draft budget law for 2025, the government intends to allocate around $85 million to science and technology, which represents 0.9% of total state budget expenditures. This amount is $20.6 million, or more than 19%, less than the adjusted plan for 2024.
The Center for Socio-Economic Studies (ACSES) reported that about 43% of these funds will be used to support the ongoing activities of scientific institutions, including 57 research organizations. In 2024, funding is planned for research on 802 topics, with more than $23.2 million allocated for this purpose.
Notably, about 17% of the budget for the scientific and technological sector, or approximately $15.5 million, will be directed towards the development of the military-industrial complex. This funding will support the signing of seven contracts for research and development (R&D) projects and the production of seven prototypes.
The 19% reduction in science spending is primarily attributed to a decrease in funding for the re-equipment of research centers with modern equipment (-89%) and the completion in 2024 of the artificial intelligence research center modernization project, which had a budget exceeding $7.7 million.
