The Research and Development Council advises the Government of the Republic in matters relating to research and development strategy, thereby directing the systematic development of the national research, development and innovation system.

The work of the Council is supported by two permanent committees that focus on the research and development policy and innovation policy. The committees are chaired by the Minister of Education and Research and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, respectively, who submit a report to the Research and Development Council at least once a year on the results of the work of the committees, as well as their agendas for the upcoming period. Responsibility for facilitating the everyday work of the permanent committees lies with the policy advisers of the respective ministries. Ad hoc committees can be established to elaborate on specific tasks.

The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the Research and Development Council. The tasks of the Council and the bases for its formation are specified in the Organisation of Research and Development Act as follows:

The Research and Development Council:

• advises the Government of the Republic on matters relating to research and development strategy;
• presents its opinion to the Government of the Republic on national research and development programmes presented by the ministries;
• submits a report on research and development in Estonia and the objectives of research and development policy for the forthcoming period to the Government of the Republic each year;
• advises the Government of the Republic on the preparation of the draft state budget in respect to the amounts prescribed for research and development and with regard to the different ministries and types of financing for research and development;
• advises the Government of the Republic on the establishment and reorganisation of research and development institutions and the termination of their activities;
• advises the Government of the Republic on establishing the conditions and procedures for the evaluation of research and development;
• performs other functions assigned by law or by the Government of the Republic.