The article examines the main aspects of the activities of the North-Eastern Scientific Center of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the period from 1971 to 1990 in the context of the reform of academic science in the Ukrainian SSR in the 1960s-1980s. The purpose of the reorganization was to bring fundamental research closer to the needs of the regions. The chronological framework is determined by the need to analyze the experience of the institutions of the North-Eastern Scientific Center from its foundation to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence. The methodological basis of the work is the principles of objectivity, historicism, analysis, and synthesis. General scientific and special historical methods were also used in writing the article. The source base for the study was provided by materials from the funds of the State Archives of the Kharkiv Region and the Central Archive of Public Associations and Ukrainian Studies

The article briefly covers the main areas of activity of the PSNC directors during this period: O. Usikova (1971–1978), O. Pogorelova (1978–1981), V. Shestopalova (1981–1986), V. Zelensky (1986–1992), and V. Semynozhenko (from 1992 to the present), whose scientific achievements have significantly influenced the center's profile. The paper analyzes the forms of cooperation between academic institutions and industrial enterprises in the region (Kharkiv Tractor Plant, Turbine Plant, Elektrovazhmash, Malyshev Plant, etc.) through direct economic agreements, comprehensive target programs, joint developments, and examples of implementation in production.

This paper attempts to highlight systemic problems that hampered the center's effectiveness: insufficient experimental base of most institutions, duplication of topics, poor coordination with Poltava and Sumy regions, insufficient program-targeted planning and mechanisms for stimulating innovation, and the priorityw of sectoral interests of ministries.

Based on an analysis of the center's activities, the experience of organizational and practical work has been summarized, which, when critically considered, may be useful for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its technological and innovative development.

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