Uzbekistan plans to upgrade 10 universities to national research status under the U10 program, allocating up to UZS 150bn ($11.9mn) per institution to strengthen scientific capacity and innovation.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals aimed at reforming the higher education, science, and innovation system, with a focus on integrating research with economic development and enhancing global competitiveness.
Under the U10 program, selected universities will establish scientific clusters operating as consortia with local and international universities, research institutions, and industrial enterprises. The selection process will be based on criteria such as academic capacity, international rankings, research infrastructure, and funding contributions.
The reforms also introduce performance-based financing. From 2027, universities will receive financial incentives based on national rankings, evaluated by indicators including education quality, scientific output, international cooperation, digitalization, and graduate employment.
New funding mechanisms for state-sponsored students will consider factors such as program complexity, labor market demand, institutional performance, regional conditions, and incentives for faculty.
In research financing, at least 50% of state scientific program funds will be directed toward priority areas, with project selection involving international experts and industry participation. Authorities also plan to expand commercialization through university spin-offs, strengthening the link between science and industry.
To support internationalization, Uzbekistan will launch the “New Uzbekistan” scholarship program, offering up to 500 annual grants for foreign students to study at state universities.
Earlier, Uzbekistan strengthened its global academic presence, with seven universities ranked across 12 disciplines in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, reflecting growing international recognition.
Authorities have recently introduced education loans of up to $20,000 for students admitted to top 300 global universities and launched a national ranking system based on 25 performance indicators to assess domestic higher education institutions.
