Problem setting. The development of science is always an urgent topic for any state, since the level of scientific development has a significant impact on all spheres of social existence (including economic). One of the issues of scientific development, which deserves attention, is the study of scientifically forecasting as an important component of the scientific process. In this context, it is also advisable to determine the role and place of science in society; characterization of the personality of a modern researcher; and identifying key areas of research that require intensification. Analysis of recent researches and publications. In Ukraine, research of scientific forecasting was conducted in the works of M. Holovatyi, O. Vinnyk, H. Znamenskyi, D. Zadykhailo, N. Kostina, V. Matviienko, V. Mamutov. Target of research is to investigate the role and importance of scientific forecasting, determine the place of science in the coordinate system of modern society, form key areas of intensification of research. Article’s main body. The experience of foreign countries, including Asia, demonstrates a significant relationship between science and economic success. In this regard, the urgent issue is the development of domestic science: determining potential barriers, analysis of current regulation, review of existing ideological approaches to science and formation of priority ways of development of the Ukrainian scientific sphere. This article, above all, offers a systematic analysis of existing problems of scientific forecasting as an important component of any science. To this end, the work provides a general description of science in the coordinate system of modern society. The heritage of world literature, containing thorough treatises, which cover the process of origin of science, analysis of the stages of its development and disclosure of mechanisms of knowledge by researchers of social life and nature of phenomena that ensure progress in the development of mankind. Among other things, the article examines the positions of J. Bernand (regarding revolutionary innovations), V. Vernadskiy (regarding the place of history of science), F. Bacon (regarding the classification of science into three components), A. Puankare (regarding the special scientific methods and personality of the researcher) and others. The content of the concept of «science» is revealed. There is a definition of forecasting and its types. It is substantiated that national sectoral and regional programs are part of the forecasting and planning system, which are the main means of implementation of state policy, priority directions of economic, social, environmental, scientific technical development of Ukraine. The development of methods of forecasting research works and long-term forecasts of development of computer technology is considered. The question of the personality of the modern scientist is considered. There is an increased importance of such individual personality quality as intuition. The tangible role of small and medium -sized enterprises in scientific development is stated. The need to improve the existing law enforcement system for small and medium-sized enterprises is indicated for the purpose of rational and productive use of existing scientific potential. The conducted research gives grounds for the author’s proposals of seven key areas of intensification of scientific research. Conclusions and prospects for the development. A proper system of scientific forecasting and planning plays a leading role in the scientific development of any country. The importance of this type of activity suggests that the expediency of introducing scientific forecasting as an independent stage of scientific research. In order to prepare correct scientifically sound forecasts, a number of factors (such as the results of sociological research, generalization of the practice of executing officially approved measures, the provisions of the National Economic Development Strategy by 2030) and to focus on the needs of entrepreneurs, the experience of advanced economies of the world and the preliminary achievements of domestic science. Analysis of the personality of a modern researcher gives grounds to claim that the experience of analytical work and the possession of the methodology for forecasting and deep scientific intelligence in any scientist. However, it is noted that the quality and prompt development of a modern researcher depends significantly on the intuition. The necessary step for the development of domestic science can be considered the refinement of existing developments of continuous scientific forecasting to the level of modern IT technologies; creation of typical software of these processes; formation in each field of research a list of problems for launching a global forecasting ecosystem; Formation of a team of experts from among the specialists of employed development of certain problems. According to the results of the study, seven proposals have been developed on key areas of intensification of research.