Radovan Fuchs Appointed Minister for Science, Education and Sports

Radovan Fuchs was appointed Minister for Education, Science and Sports in July 2009. After working as a scientist for many years, Mr. Fuchs has followed a long career at the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports, serving as a Deputy Minister for International Cooperation from 1993 to 2000 and again from 2004 to 2008 and later as a State Secretary from 2008 to 2009. Furthermore, Fuchs is a member of the Steering Platform on Research for the WBCs.

Science and Innovation Investment Fund Grant Scheme

The Croatian Central Finance and Contracting Agency is seeking proposals for projects contributing to sustainable regional development and industry competitiveness of high value-added sectors of the economy and knowledge-based SMEs by supporting the commercialisation of innovation in the public R&D sector in Croatia.

Financial assistance is provided by the Regional Competitiveness Operational programme 2007–2009 for Community Assistance under the IPA Regional Development Component in Croatia.

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is € 5 million, with individual grants ranging from € 50,000 to € 750,000. Two deadlines for proposals are still coming up: March 5 and July 2, 2010. Comprehensive background information is available on our website.

Hosting Foreign Researchers in Croatia

A Mobility Centre (EURAXESS) was recently founded in Croatia, serving as a contact-point assisting foreign researchers participating in projects in Croatia and aiming to increase the number of researchers in Croatia, particularly in the private sector.

The increased incoming mobility of scientists is expected to contribute considerably to competitiveness and economic growth, as well as to encourage further international cooperation of Croatian researchers.

Note by the editor: For further reading on EURAXESS in Croatia, we also recommend the article "Croatia - Welcome to the EURAXESS service network" on the EC's EURAXESS website.