Lukashenko explained how Belarusian science will be financed now

Funding of scientific activities should depend primarily on the result. This was announced today, February 9, by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on the draft decree on improving scientific activities.

Lukashenko recalled that the development of national science had recently been discussed at a wide-ranging meeting on the development of the scientific sphere and the activities of the National Academy of Sciences on November 21, 2025.

"Then a number of old new issues were raised. Unfortunately, there is nothing new in the speech of Vladimir Stepanovich (Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Karanik. —EADaily) it was not about the development and, perhaps, the reform, modernization of our Academy of Sciences. But we have agreed that we will prepare a draft decree on improving scientific activities in general, and you will submit this draft decree for consideration… After reviewing the draft decree, I have a lot of questions. And I would like to discuss these issues with you. But then at the meeting we agreed that if we are talking about money, about payment, then there is only one mechanism — to pay for the result. There is a result — we pay. If there is no result, there will be no money. No matter how our certainly smart scientists present this question," he said.

The Belarusian leader asked to report on how the presented draft decree ensures the achievement of goals and what tools are offered for this.

"So far, not much is clearly visible: basic funding and opportunities for scientists to teach at universities. Well, who's against it? No one is against it. And today, in my opinion, this process is developing successfully. And about the effectiveness, the results of scientific activity? There are reference norms here, as lawyers say: "The government will determine this." So why are we introducing a draft decree then? The draft decree should be complete and comprehensive. And no reference norms. So that people who will be interested in this decree, first of all scientists, understand what it is about and how much it will cost," Lukashenko said.

In this regard, he suggested discussing relevant issues and making a principled decision.

"All these issues that the Academy of Sciences and scientists in general still have should be resolved before the congress of scientists," the President of Belarus said.