Contracts Signed for a Record 3,000,000 KM in Science Support

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of Sarajevo Canton, Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, and the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, signed today at a ceremony in the amphitheater of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, contracts with recipients of funds from the program "Co-financing of Scientific Research/Artistic Research and Research and Development Projects from the KS Budget for 2021".

The Prime Minister of KS, Edin Forto, who attended today's formal signing, said that previous governments allocated around 500,000 KM annually for scientific research activities, and that the current government increased this to 1.5 million KM in 2019.

"This year, we allocated three million KM and announced further increases in these allocations, because these are investments that yield the best returns. Science and scientific research are the engines of development for every country, including ours," emphasized Prime Minister Forto.

The Minister of Finance of KS, Davor Čičić, also stated on this occasion that science is an area that must be invested in, because our country is, unfortunately, currently far behind even the countries in the region.

"Science should drive this country forward and show us the right way for this country to look," stated Minister Čičić, adding that the KS Government wants to invest and support science in KS, as well as in BiH.

According to Minister Nikolić, this is a project of the KS Government, not just the relevant ministry, which this year, through this co-financing program, has allocated three million KM in dedicated funds, which is the largest amount allocated for these purposes to date.

"These funds have been distributed to 62 scientific projects, of which 21 projects are for young scientists/researchers, involving 89 young researchers from the I, II, and III cycles of study. The mission of this ministry, as well as the commitment of the current Government, is to support science and scientific work, and to increase the funds allocated for science year by year, reaching an annual amount of up to 2% of the KS Budget," emphasized Minister Nikolić.

She also said that this government had the courage to increase allocations for science in such a difficult pandemic year, thereby sending a message that only young people and their ideas can lead us to progress.

She also highlighted that this ministry, through its work program, has defined the development of science and scientific research as one of its priorities, as this strengthens the quality of higher education, which ultimately has a direct impact on improving the quality of life for young people in the Canton, as well as in BiH.

Minister Nikolić also reminded that as a central, proactive part of this well-designed approach, the Public Call for co-financing of scientific research/artistic research and research and development projects from the KS Budget for this year was announced on May 25, 2021, according to the needs and priorities of Sarajevo Canton, and that the entire process was carried out by the previous minister, Prof. Dr. Melika Husić-Mehmedović.

Rector Škrijelj emphasized that these funds will help them acquire modern equipment on which researchers will be able to achieve better scientific research results.

He underlined that this is a serious incentive for the development of society and the strengthening of the capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thanked the KS Government for its approach to science.

The Ministry also reminded that the evaluation and assessment procedure for the submitted projects (154) was completed, and the final list of projects to be co-financed was determined (Program 1 - 41 projects and Program 2 - 21 projects, Program 3 - 29 programs).

The funds in the amount of 3,000,000 KM will be spent according to the programs as follows:

a) PROGRAM 1: Co-financing of scientific research/artistic research and research and development projects of special interest to Sarajevo Canton in the amount of 2,400,000 KM, with a maximum amount of funds that can be allocated for co-financing one project being 100,000 KM;

b) PROGRAM 2: Co-financing of scientific research/artistic research and research and development projects led by young scientists/researchers in the amount of 450,000 KM, with a maximum amount of funds that can be allocated for co-financing one project being 30,000 KM;

c) PROGRAM 3: Co-financing of scientific journal publications and membership fees in international scientific research organizations and bodies in the amount of 150,000 KM; The maximum amount of funds that could be allocated for co-financing one journal was 10,000 KM.

The results of these approved projects will be the basis, first and foremost, for building a platform that will bring together all interested parties to exchange ideas through productive dialogue, and to devise ways and activities for improving the scientific research field, and to effectively and efficiently stimulate scientific work and young scientists/researchers for the benefit of society as a whole.

The Ministry will continue to actively participate and make its maximum contribution in the future by providing conditions for strengthening scientific research activities, and will act as an intermediary in building connections between the economy, local community, government, and academia, for general progress.

With continuous and dedicated work, as well as by creating an environment and climate for the development and exchange of ideas, critical thinking, internationalization, and finally through the financial support of the Ministry, the funds invested in science will return to us as an incentive for scientific, economic, and social development.