Armenian science should not hope for foreign grants, but it is the Armenian Government that must support scientists, Armen Sargsyan, a researcher, Institute of Physiology, Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“We can often hear that foreign grant programs are a way out of the crisis for Armenian scientists. It is an erroneous opinion, however. I have wide experience in using foreign grants. They must be aid rather than the principal financing,” A. Sargsyan said.

He pointed out severe competition for grants as many scientists present high-quality papers. One more problem facing scientists is to find partners abroad. “For example, a grant issued by the Council of Europe requires a European partner. Other grants require partners from at least four countries, which is difficult even for famous scientists,” A. Sargsyan said.

“To establish contacts and reach agreements, scientists have to take part in international conferences. Hardly any scientist will start cooperating after receiving an e-mail message from an unknown person when he does not even know where this particular country is,” A. Sargsyan said. The Government must sponsor scientists’ participation in conferences.

“The Government must allocate as much funds to scientific centers as they need to send at least three to four scientists to international conferences a year,” the Armenian scientist said. He pointed out a more serious reason why foreign grants must not be hoped for.

“Why should the French Government sponsor Armenian science? They have their own interests – using our scientists’ work and ideas and applying them in France. If they give money, they enjoy the result. You have to prove your work is useful for Europe rather than for Armenia,” A. Sargsyan said.

“It is a tale that the Armenian Government has no money. No one believes it. If they can give U.S. $500,000 to Swiss scientists as an award, they have money,” A. Sargsyan said.