A New Law: National Council for Civilian R&D
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A New Law: National Council for Civilian R&D

The Israel National Research Council (NRC)
Israel’s Academy-inspired “Proposed Law for a National Council for Civilian Research and Development (R&D)," after a lengthy period of incubation, was submitted to Israel’s Knesset for second and third readings and passed, without objections, on November 11, 2002.
The new 15-person NRC will advise the government on formulating national R&D-related policy.
01/12/2002
The Israel National Research Council (NRC)
Israel’s Academy-inspired “Proposed Law for a National Council for Civilian Research and Development (R&D)," after a lengthy period of incubation, was submitted to Israel’s Knesset for second and third readings and passed, without objections, on November 11, 2002.
The new 15-person NRC will advise the government on formulating national R&D-related policy.
 
The NRC’s members, by law, must include four distinguished academic researchers, four R&D experts from high-tech industry, four experts in science policy and a member of the Israel Academy. It also includes an expert in R&D economics and a fifth scientist, who is also experienced in “directing R&D systems," to serve as chairperson. A scientist from Israel’s defense sector will also participate, as an observer. Members will be appointed by Israel’s president based on suggestions from a broad range of (specified) governmental and non-governmental institutions. The goal is to make the NRC truly comprehensive, representative and effective - as exemplified by its innovative combination of scientific, technological, business and economic experts.
 
The NRC is to make recommendations to Israel’s government regarding:
• R&D planning, organization, procedures and, not least, funding
• Guidelines for a comprehensive national short-range and long-range science policy
• National R&D priorities
• Research infrastructure and major scientific and technological initiatives
• Establishment, maintenance and standards of government research institutions and professional standards for government R&D appointments
• Other R&D matters at the government’s request.
 
The NRC must also submit, annually, a report of its activities and a list of its recommendations. The government will include the NRC’s report in its discussion of the national annual budget, and it will seek the NRC’s advice regarding the funding of civilian R&D. The law also includes provisions for both the collection of information and its protection, particularly for information of economic value. The Israel Academy will provide the NRC administrative and staff services (to be reimbursed via the Academy’s annual budget). However, Academy staff will perform their NRC-related tasks under the direction and supervision of the NRC’s chairperson.