The main directions of the policy for scientific research for 2027 notably focus on covering the filing fees for invention patent applications at the international level, as well as on contributing to the development and coordination of institutional policies on intellectual property within several public research institutions.
According to the document relating to the economic budget project for the coming year, prepared by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia aims to increase the number of invention patents granted at the national level for the benefit of public research structures and institutions from 100 in 2026 to 160 in 2027. The country also aims to maintain the number of patents at the international level at three in 2027, compared with two in 2026.
In 2027, efforts will focus on promoting research and innovation within the framework of a global vision aimed at stimulating economic and social growth and creating wealth. This approach relies in particular on strengthening the resilience of the research system, improving its performance, aligning scientific research with the country’s economic and social needs, and strengthening Tunisia’s international standing.
Strengthening the resilience of the national research and innovation system
In this framework, work will continue to define an institutional framework for the national research and innovation system, based on optimal use of resources, better coordination among the different stakeholders, and improved quality of research results. The objective is to ensure effective and transparent governance, while strengthening legal monitoring and continuing the revision of the legislative texts governing the sector.
The program also provides for continuing the development of the national strategy for research and innovation, conducting a statistical survey on research and development, and validating its results. It also includes strengthening the technological and IT infrastructure of higher education and research institutions and scientific research centers, as well as establishing an integrated information system dedicated to scientific research.
The orientation retained also provides for continuing support for competitive funding based on performance, quality criteria, and impact on development. They also aim to establish an incentive mechanism to strengthen funding for research and innovation, notably through studying the possibility of implementing a ‘tax deduction in favor of scientific research’ mechanism.
The revision of the criteria for evaluating research structures is also among the envisaged measures, in order to encourage them to mobilize more funding within the framework of collaborative research projects or international cooperation programs.
Strengthening Tunisia’s international standing
At the international level, the economic budget project provides for the ongoing funding of projects under the program to encourage scientific excellence and the program to support young researchers.
Improving the quality of training through research will also be pursued through the funding of excellence contracts and doctoral schools. The document also provides for re-examining and developing scientific partnerships to enable Tunisian researchers to improve their scientific output, notably through the establishment of new partnership programs aimed at stimulating research in Tunisia.
The number of scientific publications is expected to reach 11,611 in 2027. Furthermore, the share of scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals classified in categories 1 and 2 should rise to 72% in 2027, compared with 70% in 2026 and 69% in 2025, according to the data from a chart published by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The directions also include strengthening scientific equipment and infrastructure, through the acquisition and maintenance of equipment, as well as the development of shared service platforms dedicated to research. These measures aim to consolidate the capacities of research structures, improve the quality of scientific services, and strengthen their openness to their economic and social environment.
The program finally provides for the creation, restructuring, and funding of research structures based on an excellence-driven approach, as well as continuing funding for research projects carried out within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Ten new research projects should also benefit from funding.
