After the opening and provisional closure of Negotiation Chapter 25: Science and Research, the European Commission encouraged Montenegro to prepare and adopt a national roadmap for research infrastructure. The process of mapping the national research infrastructure ensued in 2013, when a questionnaire about scientific research equipment and availability for its sharing, drafted with expert support, was submitted to the institutions, eventually resulting in the “Study on Research Equipment and Creation of Joint Research Area”.

After that, the process of the consultations with the target groups followed, and so did the process of identifying the priorities and potential of Montenegro in terms of research infrastructure. Finally, the above results were complemented with the findings of the Study, and the first Roadmap for Research Infrastructure of Montenegro 2015-2020 was created. The document was adopted by the Council for Scientific Research Activities. At the same time, this was the first and, until recently, the only RI Roadmap in the Western Balkans region.

The Roadmap aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the national research infrastructure, as well as to identify different sources of funding, determine the priorities and identify future potential development directions. The document itself indicates that it is not binding and that it can be amended in accordance with the new plans, goals, activities and availability of funds.