At present, the main guideline and document for Estonian R&D policy is the Estonian Research and Development and Innovation Strategy 2007-2013, Knowledge-based Estonia II, which was approved by the Estonian parliament in 7. February 2007. The strategy formulates the aspiration of Estonia to become a knowledge-based society where research and development are valued highly as one of the preconditions for the functioning and development of the entire society.
The strategy sees Estonia as an innovative, highly competitive, successful country within the European research and economic area. The document emphasizes the necessity for a longterm perspective in R&D investments, in order to better weigh the impacts and requirements arising from external factors (global trends in scientific, technological and economic development; the internationalisation of research, etc.) as well as internal factors (the implementation analysis of the previous strategy document, the need to apply scientific knowledge to meet socio-economic challenges, etc.). The strategy highlights the key role of human resources and the transfer of knowledge in raising the quality of R&D and building the innovative capacity of industry. It also devises the instruments for achieving the identified aims.
