Research background: The analysis shows the focus of studies on public incentive for science and technology (S&T) on individual tools (financial support, personnel development, infrastructure, scientific collaborations), or the study of the current issues. The development of a systemic view on the evolution of the public mechanism of S&T incentive is required. Purpose of the article: to form a systemic view on the processes and instruments of S&T stimulation in Russia over the past 30 years, allowing to create a methodological basis for centers of excellence development. Methods: A comprehensive historical and logical analysis of Russian and foreign studies is conducted. Using a systemic approach, a classification of S&T incentive instruments is developed, which is greatly influenced by the ideas of S. Zaichenko on centers of excellence. Quantitative analysis of S&T statistics in the context of the implementation of various public incentive mechanism instruments allows to draw conclusions about the level of effectiveness of the latter. On the basis of the synthesis of all the results obtained, proposals for the structure of the mechanism for stimulating centers of excellence in Russia are generated. Findings & Value added: - S&T stimulation tools in Russia over the past 30 years are identified and classified; - a periodization of these instruments is developed; - a chronological analysis of their evolution in the context of the selected groups and their influence on the innovative development of Russia is conducted; - proposals on the structure of the mechanism for stimulation of the centers of excellence in Russia are formulated.