Legal analysis of the new register of research organizations

Abstract

Abstract In the middle of 2017 the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports published a new register of research organizations as part of an ongoing effort to establish, within the framework of the Czech Republic state administration, a central body responsible for assessing the defining attributes of research organizations, thereby removing the need for each grantor to conduct such assessment individually. The consequence of this measure is to effectively replace the existing register maintained by the Research, Development and Innovation Council, which essentially has no legal relevance compared to this new register. Successful completion of the assessment is a requirement for research organizations to obtain funding not considered to be state aid therefore the existence of a legally binding register is crucial even though the above mentioned authorities do not perceive it this way. This approach questions the future of the register itself underscored by the fact that it has been marred by legislative errors. However, the register now works and more than 112 entities (updated to 14th of December 2017) are registered and available for grantors to use to assess beneficiaries. The aim of this article is presentation with its legal substance and analysis of its meaning for potential registrants, especially in the context of providing grants, including the relevant issues.