The Regional Cooperation Council – RCC approved the "Technical Assistance for Creating Roadmaps of Research Infrastructures in the Western Balkans" as part of its efforts to support researcher mobility and strengthen cooperation in research through assistance in the regional mapping of research infrastructures. The technical assistance included Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and the Republic of North Macedonia, which expressed interest in this type of support—also one of the region’s requirements by the European Commission.
In the initial phase, a team of experts analyzed the existing policies on research and innovation in North Macedonia, with a focus on ongoing reforms in the research sector, through reviewing existing strategies and policy documents related to research and innovation, the status of Smart Specialization Strategy development, and the legal framework for research infrastructures. A questionnaire was answered by two selected experts, and all requested documents were submitted (Law on Scientific-Research Activity, Law on Innovation Activity, relevant bylaws, lists of public and private universities and scientific institutes, database of laboratories, etc.).
The next phase involved conducting research and collecting technical data on the research infrastructure. The questionnaire was distributed to all public and private universities and scientific institutions in North Macedonia, with responses received from all interested stakeholders.
The final phase resulted in the development of Research Infrastructure Roadmaps for each of the four countries, including the Roadmap for Research Infrastructure of the Republic of North Macedonia in English, translated and proofread in Macedonian and Albanian.
The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for the development of scientific research, the higher education system, and technological advancement. Although universities in North Macedonia are mainly education-oriented, they also engage in research activities, mainly led by public universities. Of the total 62 laboratories/institutes that responded to the questionnaire, 20 own individual capital research equipment valued at over €50,000. At public universities, this equipment is mostly found at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. The Institute for Advanced Composites and Robotics in Prilep is the only private research institution possessing such capital equipment.
The comprehensive Roadmap for Research Infrastructure of the Republic of North Macedonia outlines the current research potential and sets the principles for the future development of research infrastructure while offering recommendations for strengthening the research sector and broader societal development. Given the limited number of internationally recognized large research infrastructures that North Macedonia participates in, this document defines research infrastructure as the facilities and equipment within research institutions (universities and institutes) intended to provide basic conditions for research activities.