ACIR contract renewed with the Ministry of Education and Science in Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Education and Science renewed its contract with ACIR to oversee the “Fostering Productive Innovation and Prosperity” program, financed by the World Bank.  The $110 million dollar program promotes and develops commercial innovations in Kazakhstan by providing grants to entrepreneurs and start-ups seeking to improve the quality of people’s lives.

To promote high-quality, nationally relevant research on, and the successful commercialization of, new technologies in Kazakhstan, the Ministry and World Bank have named an International Science and Commercialization Board to oversee the project, including drafting the grants program, selecting the technology proposals and monitoring their results.  During its first two years, president of ACIR Erik Azulay was named Chairman of the Board and led it for 2 terms.  The Ministry has recently renewed its contract with ACIR and Erik will continue to sit on the ISCB and advise the Ministry and World Bank on best practices in technology commercialization, tech transfer policies and government programs to support innovation and entrepreneurship.