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Published online 30 January 2008 | Nature | doi:10.1038/451507b
Funding freeze shakes Russia's prodigals
Academy pulls the plug on research programme.
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"Funding freeze" is not a correct term. In fact, the situation described is usual and normal reality with most grants from Russian Academy of Sciences. Money are transferred in May of June, to be spent till the end of the year. Therefore, there is a several months gap with no cash available. Repatriated scientists have been shocked by this practice and this is the reason for all the uproar they stir in various media. In a sharp contrast, resident Russian scientists just feel happy if they foretaste any kind of funding and prefer to keep silence.