Problems persist for Romanian scientists

Nature : In April, Romanian research suffered a major blow when the government slashed the science budget. That, combined with other actions by the ministry of research and education, led to the resignation of all 19 members of the country’s National Research Council. Education and science in Romania have suffered since the fall of communism in 1989. In 2011, however, several major reforms were successfully implemented by then research and education minister Daniel Funeriu. He instituted new policies requiring foreign peer review for grant applications and minimum qualifications for holding academic posts. However, most of his reforms were undone the next year by his successor, Ecaterina Andronescu, who took over the post in July of 2012. Andronescu has also been under attack over accusations of plagiarism and copyright infringement. The final nail in the coffin came when Andronescu’s successor, Mihnea Costoiu, slashed the grant monies in April, including for grants awarded in previous years, which were still in progress.