Access to scientific databases to be resumed soon

Slovak researchers who have been locked out of academic databases since the beginning of this year should have their access restored by the end of this week. The Education ministry has issued a guarantee to provide the money for scientists' access to selected database collections. License contracts with suppliers will be signed and payments will be settled as soon as a regular public procurement procedure is completed. Access to scientific databases in Slovakia has for a long time been paid for out of EU structural funds. According to Education Minister Peter Plavčan, one of the causes of the problem with financing is that around 50 percent of access to these databases comes from the Bratislava region, which has more limited access to European funds because it is relatively wealthy.