It is well known that the Academies of Sciences in Western Europe have different goals than those of Eastern Europe mainly due to their independent status. Although some of the Academies in the West supervise research activities or some institutes, their main mission is to stimulate and access scientific developments in their own countries. In particular, they have a mission to advise their governments and other central bodies on science policy and organization of research. The Academies of Central and Eastern Europe supervise numerous research institutes with a relatively large number of research scientists. Also, many of these institutes carry out basic and applied research isolated from that of universities and industry. Industry on a few occasions in the past sought solutions to its problems or the development of new products from the Institutes of the Academies of Sciences. The challenges now facing the Academies of Central and Eastern Europe include the lack of adequate financing, the loss of status of scientific work, the defection of young researchers and the difficulties of recruiting new high level research staff. A major problem is the emerging lack of candidates for doctorate studies. The organization and financing of research in institutes, universities and industries and the role that the Academies of Sciences can play is also one of the subjects to be addressed. Public funding is limited and most of the funds available are directed towards applied research.

Zusammenfassung
The challenges now facing the Academies of Central and Eastern Europe include the lack of adequate financing, the loss of status of scientific work, the defection of young researchers and the difficulties of recruiting new high level research staff.

Inhalt
The University Research System in Greece and its Effect on Science Policy.- The Role of the French Academy of Sciences.- Academies in Transition.- The National Research Centers and their Role on the Technology Transfer and Science Policy of Greece.- The Role and Place of Research Institutes in Romania Restructuring Strategies between Tradition and Modernism.- The Role of the National Academy of Sciences in the Science and Technology System of Armenia.- Research and the Evaluation of ITS Results in Industry.- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Scientific Potential and Research Priorities.- Realizing the Economic Benefits of Good Science.- Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA).- For a New Conception and Stronger Role of the Academy of Sciences as a Productive, Competitive and Collaboration Promoting Research Center.- The Survival Problems of the Academies of Sciences of the Balkan Countries: To Be Or Not to Be ?.- Science and International Communication The Role of Academies of Sciences: Building Bridges..- Activities of the Canadian Academy of Science and of Recent Innovative Centres in Canada.- Transition Period Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.- The Academy's Role in Promoting Interdisciplinary Scientific Research.- The Role of Academies of Sciences in Periods of Transition.- Inventions as Promoters of Scientific and Technical Progress.- Some Aspects of Reformation of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.- Transformation of Research in the Czech Republic: The Role of the Academy of Sciences.- A Strategy for Knowledge Diffusion.- Academies from Plato to Zamolxis.- The Role of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia in Coordination of Fundamental Research and Scientific Networking.- Science at the Edge of the Twenty FirstCentury: Social Results and Problems.