SHOTA RUSTAVELI NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Their core work

The Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation is Georgia's primary national funding agency for science and research. It manages grant programs, supports researcher mobility, and drives Georgia's integration into the European Research Area. In H2020, it focused on building bridges between Georgian researchers and EU institutions — launching the national EURAXESS network, promoting science engagement, and advancing gender equality in Georgian research institutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2019, the Foundation focused on geopolitical research diplomacy — building STI cooperation channels between the EU and the Black Sea/Eastern Partnership region, and increasing Georgia's participation in Horizon 2020. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted inward to institutional capacity: setting up EURAXESS services in Georgia, implementing gender equality plans, and engaging the public with science. This reflects a maturation from "getting connected" to "building local research infrastructure."

Moving from international networking toward building domestic research support systems — a natural gateway partner for anyone wanting to enter or collaborate with the Georgian research ecosystem.

How they like to work

Primarily a participant in larger EU consortia (4 of 5 projects), but demonstrated coordination capability with EuGeNeS, where it led the EURAXESS rollout in Georgia. With 35 unique partners across 23 countries, it operates as a well-connected node despite its small project count. As a national funding body, it brings institutional authority and access to the broader Georgian research community rather than technical research capacity.

Connected to 35 partners across 23 countries, with a geographic focus on Eastern Partnership and Black Sea region countries alongside established EU member state institutions. A broad network for an organization with only 5 projects, reflecting its role as a national-level gateway.

What sets them apart

As Georgia's national science foundation, it is the single most important institutional gateway into the Georgian research system. Unlike universities or research institutes, it has funding authority and policy influence — it doesn't just participate in research, it shapes the national research agenda. For any consortium needing a Georgian partner with institutional weight and access to the country's entire research community, this is the default choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EuGeNeS
  Their only coordinated project (EUR 200,000) — established Georgia's national EURAXESS network, a foundational piece of research infrastructure.
• CALIPER
  Largest funding received (EUR 171,250) and represents their expansion into gender equality policy, a growing EU priority.
• EaP PLUS
  Key Eastern Partnership networking project that directly supported Georgia's Horizon 2020 participation strategy.