Kazakhstan approves national research standard effective October 1

September 2, 2026 at 12:38 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Ministry of Trade and Integration announced a new national standard for scientific research that takes effect on October 1, 2026. The standard introduces digital tools, maturity scales, and protects researchers from sanctions for negative results obtained under approved methodology.

Key Facts

The national standard ST RK "Scientific research and its introduction into production. General requirements for work, structure and reporting" comes into force on October 1, 2026.
The standard introduces differentiated maturity assessment scales: TRL (1-9) for technological developments, SRL (1-9) for social projects, and KRL for fundamental research.
Negative research results obtained in accordance with approved methodology will be recognized as scientific achievements and will not be grounds for financial sanctions.
The standard establishes a minimum anti-plagiarism check threshold of 50% for reporting documentation.
The document provides a regulatory basis for the use of end-to-end digital technologies, artificial intelligence tools, patent analytics, digital twins, and compliance with FAIR principles.

Standard Adoption

The Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan announced the new national standard on September 2, 2026. The standard ST RK "Scientific research and its introduction into production. General requirements for work, structure and reporting" comes into force on October 1, 2026. The document is aimed at modernizing approaches to research and development, increasing the efficiency of scientific activity, and ensuring a consistent transition from obtaining scientific results to their practical application and commercialization.

Digitalization and FAIR Principles

Zhanna Yesenbekova, Chair of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration, stated that digitalization of scientific research is one of the key directions of the standard. The document forms a regulatory basis for the application of end-to-end digital technologies, artificial intelligence tools, patent analytics, and digital twins. It also provides for compliance with international FAIR principles for openness and reuse of scientific data.

Researcher Protection and Maturity Scales

The standard pays special attention to protecting the academic freedom of scientists. If a study was conducted in accordance with the approved methodology, a negative result is recognized as a scientific achievement and will not be grounds for financial sanctions. The Ministry of Trade and Integration noted that this approach reduces pressure on researchers and creates conditions for scientifically sound research, including studies whose results did not confirm the initial hypothesis. The standard introduces differentiated maturity assessment scales: TRL (Technology Readiness Level) from 1 to 9 for technological developments, SRL (System Readiness Level) from 1 to 9 for social projects, and KRL (Knowledge Readiness Level) for fundamental research. For medical research, the standard prioritizes healthcare legislation and relevant GLP, GCP, and GMP practices. A minimum anti-plagiarism check threshold of 50% is established for reporting documentation.