To all intents and purposes, no. No-one expects anything from the federal government in Moscow and no assistance is being given by the regional Siberian administration. Several western projects have already done their terms, packed up and left. Now the only Western presence helping science in Akademgorodok is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. But since it came to the nearby city of Novosibirsk in 1996 with a budget of 32 million dollars to spend, it has only felt able to invest in one single science project.
Officials speak of their disappointment and frustration.
Officials in Novosibirsk are allowed to deal with the scientific institutes only if they become companies - with the prospect of turning profits. The bank can't help an individual scientist, even one with a very bright idea. There's no financial 'seed corn' help, no 'incubators' for struggling scientists. These days, everyone must be ready to barter The blackboard in the main control room of the Budker Institute bears a scrawled message. Staff are invited to pick potatoes on Thursday, when a truck will be available to transport them.