Scientific “Centers of Excellence” in Russian Universities: Changing Models

Abstract

This paper analyzes the so-called “centers of excellence” that represent an organizational form for conducting scientific research at universities. Such centers, which became popular in the recent decade, are considered effective for stimulating advanced research that generates high quality results. The underlying assumption is that special conditions and additional generous funding will significantly facilitate the production of scientific knowledge. We demonstrate that in practice, this organizational form generates mixed results, and, sometimes, emerging research teams that exhibit strong growth potential are more successful than centers created around “star” scientists. During the post-Soviet period, Russia accumulated a vast experience of establishing centers of excellence (more commonly referred to as research-educational centers) at its universities. The analysis shows that only some of these centers proved to be effective. Factors contributing to success include duration of financial support and a system that combines activity indicators set by the government with those devised individually for each center according to its area of specialization and type of research. Another factor that can be associated with success represents flexible terms of employment offered to foreign scientists working in these centers.