Project objective is strengthening of policy&management of RDI in higher education in three components. C1: Developing capacity to manage RDI in HE - A national coordination model for RDI in Azerbaijani HE system to be proposed. Up to 3 funding schemes to be designed, one piloted. Evidence based policy development to be supported with sound monitoring processes on financing, results/outputs and impact assessments. C2: Improving capacities to participate in research funding opportunities -The capacity of the RDI centres & ULPs in identifying and promoting funds for RDI to be strengthened. To increase R&I activities in HEI, new incentives for the academic staff to be designed. "Open Innovation" concept, including model of cooperation between HEIs, industry& government will be developed. "Open Science" concept to be developed to promote excellence in research and ensure wider dissemination.
C3: Modern doctoral training programme - New strategic framework for modern doctoral training programmes with new learning outcomes-based curricula to be designed. Training curricula for trainers in the area of RDI related skills to be developed and piloted.

The purpose of the project is to increase the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Education to successfully introduce and implement a diversity of competitive research funds to support Research Development and Innovation in higher education.

- A national coordination model for RDI in Azerbaijani higher education system;
- Three schemes (one financial) designed and the Beneficiary staff trained to implement them;
- Sound monitoring processes of RDI activities at Azerbaijani Universities;
- Strengthen capacity of the university RDI centres and University Liaison Points in identifying and promoting research funding opportunities;
- Model of cooperation between higher education institutions, industry and government;
- "Open Innovation" model for shared use of research infrastructure;
- "Open Science" model to promote excellence in research and ensure wider dissemination;
- Modern doctoral training programmes with new learning outcomes-based curricula designed and piloted as five e-courses on research and innovation topics for 300 PhD students and other interested stakeholders.