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Research and Development Institutions
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The excellent research work of Tartu scientists, their participation in international research programs and active foreign relations have turned Tartu into an internationally acknowledged town of science. Research activities have mainly concentrated in institutions of higher education (University of Tartu, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu College of Tallinn University of Technology), which practice fundamental and applied sciences and give science-based post-graduate education. Historically, most research institutions of Tartu have stemmed from the University of Tartu, which was founded in 1632. The current Estonian University of Life Sciences separated as an independent university in 1951.
The Estonian Biocentre, which deals with medicine and biotechnology, was founded in 1985 as a joint establishment of the structures of the University of Tartu and the Academy of Sciences. Cooperation between the Estonian Biocentre and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu is symbiotic – both institutions share premises and research equipment and train students together. Inspired by their success in the area of gene and biotechnology, 34 private persons went on and founded the Estonian Gene Centre Foundation in 1999 and the initial version of the Gene Bank was developed at its initiative. In 2001, the Government of the Republic founded the Estonian Genome Project, which in five years has to create a database of the gene and health data of a million people in order to identify genes that cause and influence diseases.
The University of Tartu as a distributor of progressive thinking and developer of innovation activities works with companies in order to develop new technologies and it applies the most innovative skills, and supports the creation and development of spin-off companies. Tartu University Institute of Technology, established in June 2001, is a research and development institution, which aims to create a new cultural environment to facilitate the generation of new technological solutions.
The Estonian Museum of Literature is a national scientific institution that deals with fundamental research of Estonian folk culture and the collection and preservation of folk culture materials.
The Tartu Science Park Foundation deals with the creation of an environment that favours the creation and development of business that require high levels of science and knowledge.
The Innovation Centre of the Archimedes Foundation is one of the research and development and innovation support structures of Estonia that is located in Tartu.
Estonian Academy of Sience has an office in Tartu.
