Government Decree on the Research and Innovation Council of Finland

Unofficial translation Government Decree on the Research and Innovation Council of Finland 1043/2008 Amendments up to 1028/2011 18 December 2008 Section 1. Research and Innovation Council of Finland 1. For addressing important matters relating to the targeting, follow-up, evaluation and coor dination of research, technology and innovation policy there shall be a Research and Innova tion Council of Finland. The Council shall assist the Government and its ministries in matters within the purview of the Council. Section 2. The remit of the Council 1. The remit of the Council shall be to: (1) follow national and international developments in research, technology and innovation; (2) evaluate the state and developments within the sphere of its authority; (3) address major matters relating to the development of science, technology and innovation policy and the human resources they entail and prepare proposals and plans concerning these for the Government; (4) address matters relating to the development and allocation of public research and innova tion funding on a preparatory basis for the Government; (5) coordinate Government activities in the field of science, technology and innovation pol icy; and (6) execute other tasks assigned to it by the Government. Section 3. Composition 1. The Council shall consist of the Prime Minister as chair, the Minister of Education and Sci ence and the Minister of Economic Affairs as vice-chairs and the Minister of Finance and a maximum of six other ministers appointed by the Government. In the appointment of the mi nisterial members, care shall be taken to ensure that the administrative sectors of major rele vance to research and innovation are represented on the Council. (Amendment 1028/2011) 2 2. In addition to the ministerial members, the Council shall comprise ten other members ap pointed by the Government for the parliamentary term. The members must comprehensively represent expertise in research and innovation. The Council shall have representation of the fi nancing organisations in its domain and the performers and users of research and develop ment. 3. If a Council member resigns or becomes incapable of executing his or her duties during the term of office, the Ministry of Education, after having heard the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, shall appoint a new member in his or her place for the remainder of the term. Section 4. Subcommittees 1. For the preparation of matters, the Council shall have a science and education subcommittee and a technology and innovation subcommittee. The Council may delegate the power of deci sion to a subcommittee in an expressly specified matter. 2. The science and education subcommittee shall be chaired by the Minister of Education and Science and the technology and innovation subcommittee by the Minister of Economic Af fairs. The Ministry of Education shall appoint one member to the science and education sub committee and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy one member to the technology and innovation subcommittee. Both shall serve as vice-chairs of their subcommittees. The ot her members of the subcommittees shall be appointed by the Council from amongst its mem bers. 3. The Council may also set up other subcommittees to prepare matters. 4. The Council and its subcommittees may consult permanent and ad hoc experts. Section 5. Operation of the Council 1. The Council and its subcommittees shall meet at the invitation of the chairman or, if he or she is indisposed, at the invitation of a vice-chair. 2. The Council is quorate when the chair or one of the vice-chairs and at least six other mem bers are present. A subcommittee is quorate when at least half the members of the subcommit tee, including the chair or the vice-chair, are present. 3. Matters shall be decided by simple majority. If the votes are equal, the chairman has the casting vote. Section 6. Secretariat 1. For the preparation of matters, the Council shall have a secretariat comprising a full-time secretary general and at least two full-time chief planning officers within the scope of the state budget. The secretary general shall lead the work of the secretariat. The secretary general shall be appointed by the Government after having heard the Council. The chief planning officer 3 acting as secretary to the science and education subcommittee shall be appointed by the Mi nistry of Education and the chief planning officer acting as secretary to the technology and in novation subcommittee by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy after having heard the Council. 2. The qualification requirement for the secretary general shall be a Master's degree, profi ciency required for the post and proven leadership skills. The qualification requirement for the chief planning officers shall be a Master's degree and proficiency required for the post. 3. In addition, other persons may take part in the Council's preparatory tasks. They shall be appointed by the ministries in a manner decided by the Council. 4. The Council’s clerical work shall be performed at the Ministry of Education. Section 7. Fees 1. The amount of remuneration for attendance at meetings relating to the Council's work shall be confirmed by the Ministry of Education. The cost of travel shall be recompensed in accor dance with the terms of the state collective bargaining agreement. Section 8. Entry into force 1. This Decree comes into force on 1 January 2009. 2. This Decree repeals the Government Decree on the Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland (847/2005) of 27 October 2005. The Science and Technology Policy Council ap pointed under the Decree to be repealed shall function as the Research and Innovation Council referred to in this Decree until the new members are appointed after the next parliamentary election held after the entry into force of this Decree. 3. At the entry into force of this Decree, the secretariat of the Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland shall carry on as the secretariat referred to in Section 6.1 of this Decree. 4. Measures needed to implement this Decree may be taken before the Decree comes into for ce. Minister of Education Sari Sarkomaa Counsellor for Higher Education Juhani Hakkarainen