Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA) Program

Russia’s transition to a knowledge economy requires the creation of a modern educational culture that focuses on the development of intellectual capital and the transfer of “innovation” to the market place. In the past two years, the Russian government has undertaken major higher education reforms aimed at integrating academic work and research, as well as cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit among university students and faculty and developing favorable conditions for the commercialization of intellectual property created at Russian universities. On August 2, 2009, a Federal law was signed by President Medvedev, giving Russian universities control over their intellectual property and allowing the creation of small companies on campuses. Moreover, the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of the Russian Federation has selected 28 universities as national research universities, in two rounds, and provided them with generous funding to become Russia’s leading entrepreneurial institutions.

In keeping with its central mission of assisting the long-term development and diversification of Russia’s economy, the US Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) is launching a multi-year program - EURECA (Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity) - to develop collaborative partnerships between U.S. and Russian universities that will result in building and strengthening the capacity of Russian research universities to commercialize intellectual property developed or identified by their research faculties. USRF is implementing EURECA in close consultation with the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.

  • EURECA will begin with two discrete pilot projects that will focus on the skills, knowledge and infrastructure needed to handle such critical tasks as:
    Modernizing university research management;
  • Engaging effectively with the business sector and government to stimulate economic innovation and development;
  • Developing the legal framework and necessary legal instruments to secure registration and patenting of university intellectual property;
  • Conducting “technical audits” to determine the commercial potential of research results;
  • Securing initial funding and venture capital to further develop the product;
  • Disseminating best practices of entrepreneurship to other Russian universities. 

USRF has selected a consortium of one Russian (New Eurasia Foundation) and two U.S.-based NGOs (American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS and the National Council for East European and Eurasian Research) to administer this project under the overall guidance of USRF. They will: a) select the Russian universities for the pilot projects; b) identify U.S. partners; c) assist in “matchmaking” and preparing joint programs for the pilot projects; d) administer programs of exchanges, mentoring, and curriculum development; and d) monitor the realization of the program and provide information to permit USRF to evaluate overall progress.

Request for Proposals to implement the Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA) Program.

EURECA Program on-line application form

EURECA Program Frequently Asked Questions

Questions pertaining to EURECA should be submitted in writing to Evgeny Zvedre, Program Director, at ezvedre@usrf.ru