The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) was created by decree No. 426 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated April 27, 1992, on the initiative of the nations leading scientists. RFBR is a state-run non-profit organization existing in the form of a federal agency under the authority of the Government of the Russian Federation. The Russian Foundation for Basic Research is a self-governing state-run non-profit organization whose main mission is to provide support for research work ongoing in all areas of abstract science on a competitive basis, thereby contributing to the building of new relations between the scientific community and the state.
The principle of self-governance of the Foundation consists in its right to support independently research areas, to distribute off-budget funds and to approve the distribution of allocations from the federal budget with respect to science fields and projects on a competitive basis as well as to cover its expenses in accordance with the budgetary classification of the Russian Federation.
RFBRs creation marked the birth of an all-new organizational form for Russian science - one that has since opened to scientists wider opportunities for academic self-expression, enabled them to select research topics independently, to set up academic teams and to concentrate resources on the most promising research projects.
Over the years RFBR was headed by leading Russian scientists: Academician Alexander A. Gonchar, organizing director of the Foundation, Academician Vladimir Ye. Fortov, Academician Mikhail V. Alfimov. Since December of 2004 the Russian Foundation for Basic Research has been headed by Vladislav Yu. Khomich, a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
During 1992 through 2004 RFBR organized and held twelve competitive selection cycles in all branches of natural and social sciences. By now over 120,000 applications have been submitted to the main selection contests held by RFBR. Support has been provided to over 35,000 initiative-based research and publishing projects involving, both in the past and at the present time, about 100,000 scientists from the nations almost 2,000 research organizations.
By 2003 the total number of competitive selection contests held by the Foundation had reached 24, including 14 main contests, 9 international contests and 19 domestic regional contests. In 2004 were held 10 main contests, 18 domestic regional contests and 9 international contests.
Over 1,800 scientific monographs have been published with funds provided by the Foundation. Over 3,500 all-Russia and international conferences have been held; over 11,000 Russian scientists have been given opportunity to go on academic sojourns abroad.
The Russian Foundation for Basic Research has now gone through an important coming-to-be stage and is in possession of important and varied experience. Realization of certain principles, which were once new to our country, has made it possible to identify and support the most talented and promising scientists engaged in first-class basic research in the research institutions of State Academies, in universities, higher learning institutions and in industry research institutes.