Social capital of science as a factor of innovative development

This article distinguishes and describes the characteristic features of social capital formation in science and the factors influencing this process. It is emphasized that the above phenomenon is an integral part of the general social capital of the state and forms the foundation of the national capital. Consequently, the level of socio-economic development of a country correlates with the degree of R&D development in it. The data of the report “Global Innovation Index - 2020” are analyzed, on the basis of which the strengths and weaknesses of Russia’s modernization system are highlighted. An overview of the features of domestic science funding in comparison with some countries of the world is given. The data on the number of researchers in Russia for several years are studied, which revealed a negative trend towards a decrease in the number of those willing to professionally engage in science.Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the existence of this kind of activity is a key condition for the society’s progressive development, as its results ensure the renewal and improvement of all spheres of human life, so stagnation in research, caused, among other things, by inefficient and insufficient funding of the sphere of science, is capable of provoking adverse phenomena in society.