The government has completed a draft plan to create a new Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, bringing universities and research under a single portfolio and seeking what officials describe as a new chapter for the sector after years of fragmentation.
The proposal, prepared by a committee established last October, is in final legal and technical review and is scheduled to be presented to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on July 21 before being released for consultation with stakeholders.
Under the plan, universities and research centers, which currently fall under different ministries, would be brought together within one ministry. Primary and secondary education would remain under the Education Ministry.
The committee said its objectives include creating a unified research space, ensuring stable funding through the state budget, reducing bureaucracy, improving coordination, applying merit-based criteria and introducing quality evaluation mechanisms.
According to the draft, the new ministry would include two general secretariats: one for higher education and another for research and innovation. Two bodies would play central roles. The National Research Organization would manage the budget and issue calls for programs, while the Hellenic Innovation Organization SA would seek resources, including from the private sector. The latter would be owned 70% by the state investment fund and 30% by the government.
