Essential details regarding the grant scheme “Scientific potential in support of innovation development.”

The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation oversees the technical execution and physical progress of the Grant scheme “Scientific potential in support of innovation development,” as detailed in the Annual Action Programme for Montenegro for 2020, IPA II Sector 3: Education, employment, and social policies.

This grant scheme is part of the action aimed at Supporting smart and inclusive growth – education, employment, and social inclusion 2020, Result 1 – Enhancing the inclusion and employability of the long-term unemployed, focusing on social welfare beneficiaries, women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PwD). It supports community living and local partnership initiatives for employment; Activity 1.3 – Improved interconnection between science and industry based on the Smart Specialization Strategy.

The grant scheme aims to strengthen Montenegro’s national research and innovation ecosystem by investing in scientific capacity as a key factor for innovation.

With a total funding of 1.18 million EUR, the program initially selected 9 projects for funding, amounting to EUR 980,643.54, which began implementation in January 2023—reflecting over 83% of the total allocated funds. Individual grants ranged from 93,000 EUR to 125,000 EUR, vital for supporting various innovative, research-driven projects nationwide.

After the official contracting process, the execution of contract no. CFCU/MNE/208 – “Artificial Intelligence in Smart Homes,” worth 98,399.85 EUR, was suspended. The Coordinator failed to provide the necessary financial guarantee, hindering the project’s continuation.

As a result, 8 contracts are currently under implementation within the grant scheme, reducing the total allocation amount to 882,243.69 EUR.

Objectives of the Grant Scheme

The overarching goal of the grant scheme is to bolster excellence in Montenegro’s research and innovation system, with a significant emphasis on human resources.

To achieve this, the scheme focuses on:

▪ Encouraging collaboration between academia and the economic sector, aligned with Montenegro’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which highlights priority areas for innovation;

▪ Enhancing mobility and skill development among young researchers;

▪ Improving their technical and commercial competencies through direct involvement with the economic sector;

▪ Strengthening R&D capabilities within academic institutions.

Ultimately, the scheme aims to build a system where research talent is nurtured, linked to industry, and empowered to drive innovation-led growth.

Call Priorities

The call emphasized engaging young researchers, particularly women, within both academic and business sectors. It focused on practical experience, knowledge exchange, and increasing the number of RDI projects across institutions to ensure that research is not just theoretical but also applicable and impactful.

Activities of the Funded Project

The supported projects spanned a diverse array of activities, from sustainable agriculture and aiding small producers to developing digital health platforms and off-grid solutions for remote communities. Other initiatives involved high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and energy transition, with a special focus on digital business tools, including innovative accounting and administrative software systems.

Many projects introduced new technologies and tested innovative approaches in real-world settings.

This variety highlights the scheme’s ambition—not only to enhance research but also to address real social and economic challenges through innovation.

Major Developments and Achievements

The scheme has yielded several significant achievements that positively influence Montenegro’s research and innovation landscape:

▪ It established enduring partnerships between academia and industry, creating a collaborative platform for innovation while also empowering young researchers, with a focus on gender inclusion by integrating them into practical business environments where they could apply their knowledge and gain experience. This not only strengthened their technical and entrepreneurial skills but also helped to counteract brain drain and increased the innovation potential of both sectors.

▪ It enhanced the national capacity to manage EU funds, providing crucial experience for many applicants as they navigated EU project frameworks. The grant scheme facilitated the development of operational capacity through hands-on experience in project implementation, financial management, and compliance—essential skills for successful participation in future EU-funded projects.

▪ Finally, it promoted a science-driven development approach by encouraging the practical application of research and aligning innovation with market needs. Such initiatives are vital for boosting Montenegro’s long-term competitiveness and fostering sustainable, science-led growth.

Recent Developments

By July 1, 2025, six final narrative reports were submitted, and on-the-spot verifications for six projects were completed, resulting in the issuance of R&A visas – signifying successful project closures. All verifications confirmed that the projects complied with contractual obligations, receiving positive ratings for overall compliance and relevance to objectives.

Projects and Activities

CFCU/MNE/209 – Creation of New Fruit and Vegetable Products

– Support for smallholders in northern Montenegro engaged in fruit and vegetable production.

CFCU/MNE/210 – Innovation and Research for Off-Grid Settlements

– Development of innovative solutions for challenges faced by 6 katun households in off-grid regions.

CFCU/MNE/211 – Enabling Seamless Integration and Secure Sharing of Electronic Health Records Using Blockchain Technology – HEALCHAIN

– Development of a platform for the secure exchange of healthcare information among relevant stakeholders.

CFCU/MNE/212 – Strengthening Company Absorption Capacity for New Research and Innovation Solutions via Empowered Human Resource Management Models – EmpowerHR4Inno

– Building human resource capacity for implementing innovation in companies.

CFCU/MNE/213 – HPC4S3ME – Building Scientific and Innovation Potential to Utilize HPC and AI for S3 Smart Specialization in Montenegro

– Capacity development in applied computer science utilizing high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) for research and development in S3 priority areas.

CFCU/MNE/214 – High Technology for Sustainable Indigenous Olive Cultivation and Innovations in Traditional Food Value Chain

– Sustainable and resilient olive cultivation supported by ICT.

CFCU/MNE/215 – Oxiom FinBot – An Innovative Concept Connecting Companies and Science!

– Development of an innovative AI-supported software as a digital aid in administration and accounting.

CFCU/MNE/216 – Exploring Green Energy Transition Potential in the Montenegrin Transport System

– Innovations in green energy transition: promoting the concept of prosumers and electrification of transport.