The analysis of performance indicators of postgraduate and doctoral studies in the Union State of Russia and Belarus is carried out. The main problematic aspects of improving the efficiency of research activities are systematized in order to introduce scientific and innovative developments into the practice of the real economy and the social sphere. A form of online survey of respondents- researchers from scientific and educational organizations of Belarus and Russia has been developed. This makes it possible to rank factors according to the degree of their influence on the development of research activity of employees in the organization. A set of proposals for the development of the R&D sector in Belarus and Russia has been developed.