The Department of Applied Research of the Estonian Military Academy is responsible for supporting the EDF’s capacity building through scientific research and the development of innovative solutions.

The Department’s main tasks include:

• planning, implementation and oversight of the EDF’s research and development activities
• planning and oversight of resources allocated for the EDF’s research and development activities
• dissemination of the results of the EDF’s research and development activities and the publication of other materials on the topic of military science
• conducting operational analysis
• supporting research and development activities undertaken by the defence industry with military and methodological competence
• enhancing the competences related to research and development activities in the EDF

The EMA’s Department of Applied Research is primarily tasked with the development of military science for the purposes of ensuring the continued capacity building and sustainability of the EDF. To that end, the Department of Applied Research collaborates with other units of the EDF and the EMA as well as other academic institutions and government agencies.

The EMA’s Department of Applied Research comprises the following structural subdivisions:

1) Operational Analysis Group; 2) Technology Group; 3) Resource Management Group; 4) Editorial and Terminology Group. In addition, the Department of Applied Research also oversees the activities of the EMA’s Simulation Centre.

In 2015, the EDF launched a doctoral studies programme for active service members. As of 2018, the programme provides funding to enable at least two active service members to obtain their doctoral degrees from civilian universities. The enrolled doctoral students are employed by the EMA’s Department of Applied Research as junior researchers /research assistants, enabling them to finish their doctoral studies within the nominal time-frame while also offering the EMA an excellent opportunity to generate research synergies by pooling its research and development related competences and cultivating future military scientists.

Department of Applied Research (DAR) subdivisions

DAR’s Operational Analysis Group is tasked with:

• supporting the identification of capability gaps and root problems
• conducting operational analyses and providing expert opinions
• preparing DAR’s research proposals and projects in the area of operational analysis
• undertaking, supporting and monitoring studies and R&D projects in the area of operational analysis
• developing and maintaining scientific competence in the area of operational analysis for the purposes of national defence
• disseminating the results of R&D activities and supporting the publication of other military science materials in the area of operational analysis

DAR’s Technologies Group is tasked with/responsible for:

• supporting the identification of capability gaps and root problems
• preparing DAR’s research proposals and projects in the area of technologies
• undertaking, supporting and monitoring studies and R&D projects in the area of technologies
• fostering research and development-related cooperation with the defence industry
• disseminating the results of R&D activities and supporting the publication of other military science materials in the area of technologies

DAR’s Resource Management Group is tasked with/responsible for:

• supporting the identification of capability gaps and root problems
• preparing DAR’s research proposals and projects in the area of resource management
• undertaking, supporting the implementation of and monitoring studies and R&D projects in the area of resource management
• developing and maintaining scientific competence in the area of resource management for the purposes of national defence
• disseminating the results of research and development activities and supporting the publication of other military science materials in the area of resource management

DAR’s Editorial and Terminology Group is tasked with/responsible for:

• the publication of the EMA’s scientific journal Estonian Journal of Military Studies (Sõjateadlane) and its subseries, as well as the EMA’s other publications on military science
• disseminating and publishing the results of the EDF’s research and development activities (i.e. studies, analyses, etc.)
• development, systematisation, recording and promotion of Estonian military terminology and specialised language
• linguistic and terminological editing of the EMA’s academic and scientific texts
• providing English language translation advice and services for the EMA and the EDF