The article covers the problem actuality of creating the national innovation system in Russia. Тhe national innovation system is considered as a factor in international competitiveness and a basis for effective economic development. The authors examine the genesis of the concept of the national innovation system and its structure. We consider a comprehensive approach to the creation of the national innovation system in the re-search of some Russian authors. We present statistics on the level of innovation activity in Russia and compare them with those in developed economies. We describe several approaches to establish an effective national innovation system. We describe a well-known in world practice types of innovation development: innovation and imitation. The author conclude that in Russia may create a national innovation system of mixed type.
