Infrastructure Development

MRDA focuses on scientific infrastructure development. Under several programs funds are channeled towards purchase of scientific equipment for research and education centers and laboratories.  High quality science cannot be attained without state-of-the-art instrumentation. Moreover, modern, well-equipped research facilities become strong impetus for students and young researchers to pursue scientific careers. 

• Major Equipment for Research Laboratories (MERL) is a new program launched in 2006 with the scope of enhancing scientific infrastructure of research laboratories at Moldovan institutions and universities.  The great number of proposals submitted to 2006 competition determined MRDA to pursue this programmatic activity in 2007.
  
  
• Centers for Education and Research in Moldova (CERIM)
  The program was developed to create the right environment for integrating research with education at Moldovan Universities, the primary beneficiaries being students and young scientists. The strong competition proved high demand in setting up such centers at educational institutions. Winner of a $300,000 grant turned to be Moldova State University for the creation of the Center for Education and Research in Mathematics and Computer Science (CERMCS). CERMCS has been active since April 2006.   The Center’s super computer (cluster) and various activities including courses, summer campuses, grant competitions etc have attracted over 60 students and young researchers from several institutions including the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.  CERMCS intends to become a regional unit to serve Moldova and the neighboring countries.





• Networking Infrastructure Program (NIP)
  Poor access of Moldovan scientists to Internet resources, including access to the World Wide Web, e-mail, and online full-text international research journals, led to designing the NIP.  The existing infrastructure for Internet access was largely funded by the Soros Foundation and the NATO Science Programme, but little investment has been made in recent years to maintain the network and to secure adequate access for all users. In order to build on existing resources and prepare the basis for a sustainable network that can be maintained by Government funding in the future, MRDA implemented NIP by purchasing equipment at a total of $200,000 for the Center of Informational Resources and Network and the Central Scientific Library of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.