The amendment to the Scientific Research and Innovation Activities Act was drafted to implement the adopted amendments to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Act and the State Administration Act. The most important solution concerns the merging of scientific research and innovation activities in a single portfolio, the new Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. A new, joint Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation Activities of the Republic of Slovenia (ARIS) is being established, adding an innovation component to the existing research activities.

The key body for innovation activity is the “Innovation Council”, composed of members representing the various stakeholders in the innovation environment. ARIS is based on separate professional bodies, the Scientific Council and the Innovation Council, while the Board of Directors and the Director are joint.

The new ARIS adds an innovation pillar to the scientific work to improve the link and transition from basic research to application, or the link between scientific research and society, which is one of the steps towards Slovenia’s progress in the European Innovation Scoreboard. The innovation pillar will also enable better inter-ministerial cooperation in the use of research funds.