The Civilian Research and The Civilian Research and Development FoundationDevelopment Foundation

for the Independent States of the for the Independent States of the Former Soviet UnionFormer Soviet Union

““New Markets, New Opportunities: New Markets, New Opportunities: Strategic Capacity Building for Economic Strategic Capacity Building for Economic

Development in the Caspian Region”Development in the Caspian Region”

Gerson Sher, PresidentGerson Sher, President

Who Are We?Who Are We?

• Created in 1995 by U.S. GovernmentCreated in 1995 by U.S. Government

• Private, nonprofit charitable organizationPrivate, nonprofit charitable organization

• Offices in Arlington VA, Moscow, Offices in Arlington VA, Moscow, St. Petersburg, KyivSt. Petersburg, Kyiv

• Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors

• Advisory CouncilAdvisory Council

Our MissionOur Mission

To engage the scientific and technical To engage the scientific and technical communities of the former Soviet communities of the former Soviet Union in activities of mutual benefit Union in activities of mutual benefit that promote international security. that promote international security.

What Do We Do?What Do We Do?

• Support exceptional, merit-reviewed Support exceptional, merit-reviewed research projects that offer FSU research projects that offer FSU scientists alternative to emigrationscientists alternative to emigration

• Redirect weapons scientists Redirect weapons scientists • Develop industry-oriented Develop industry-oriented

collaborations collaborations • Strengthen research and education Strengthen research and education

in universities in universities

CRDF’s Major ProgramsCRDF’s Major Programs

• Cooperative Grants ProgramCooperative Grants Program• Industry ProgramsIndustry Programs• Nonproliferation ProgramsNonproliferation Programs• Centers and Institution Building ProgramsCenters and Institution Building Programs• Grant Assistance Program Grant Assistance Program

What does CRDF What does CRDF mean by Capacity mean by Capacity

Building?Building?

• Strengthen research management Strengthen research management practices, including merit-based practices, including merit-based science fundingscience funding

• Integrate research and educationIntegrate research and education• Integrate research and marketIntegrate research and market• Improve capital equipment baseImprove capital equipment base

Why Capacity Building in the Why Capacity Building in the Caspian Region?Caspian Region?

• Science is key to economic developmentScience is key to economic development• Stability in the region is in everyone’s Stability in the region is in everyone’s

interestinterest• Potential in the region is greatPotential in the region is great• Known gas and oil reserves are great, Known gas and oil reserves are great,

potential even greaterpotential even greater• BUT….BUT….

The Problem -- EducationThe Problem -- Education

• Education and research communities Education and research communities not in line with Western standardsnot in line with Western standards– Economic development is laggingEconomic development is lagging– Western companies cannot find qualified Western companies cannot find qualified

employees or research facilitiesemployees or research facilities– Development is occurring at the cost of the Development is occurring at the cost of the

environmentenvironment

CRDF Proposal: Education and CRDF Proposal: Education and Research CentersResearch Centers

• Competitively selectedCompetitively selected• Devoted to areas critical to environmentally-Devoted to areas critical to environmentally-

sound advances in the oil and gas industry sound advances in the oil and gas industry • Support research and attract promising Support research and attract promising

young scientistsyoung scientists• Serve as local source for analytic and Serve as local source for analytic and

research capabilities for western companiesresearch capabilities for western companies

Why Education and Why Education and Research Centers?Research Centers?

• We’ve done it and it worksWe’ve done it and it works– Centers at 16 universities in RussiaCenters at 16 universities in Russia– Equipment centers throughout former Equipment centers throughout former

Soviet UnionSoviet Union– Buy-in from Governments and othersBuy-in from Governments and others