Thanks to the Science Fund, the smartest people stay in Serbia and young generations of scientists, who bring new, fresh ideas, have the opportunity to help society and restore faith in science
We spoke with the Chairman of the Managing Board of the Science Fund and Director of Division for Strategic Analyses, Services, and Internationalisation at Privredne komora Srbije Mihailo Vesović, about the Fund’s activities and its importance in retaining young scientists in Serbia.
What is the role of the Science Fund in the development of science and innovation in Serbia?
Serbia has always had excellent scientists and great researchers who, with their knowledge and research, were the best ambassadors of our country in the world. But, before the establishment of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, investments in science were modest and we were faced with the fact that our most educated people were leaving the country to work at prestigious universities and institutes all over the world, as well as that young generations of scientists did not see their future in their motherland. That changed in 2019 when the Serbian Government established the Science Fund as an institution that will provide competitive project, to ensure stable financing of science and thus its progress, and in the long-term mission of retaining our scientists and researchers in Serbia and thereby facilitating the country’s progress in the technological, economic, cultural and social sense. The resources provided by the Science Fund in cooperation with Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the World Bank and the EU, provides funds for the implementation of scientific work, equipment purchase, scientific publications, international cooperation, and development of their professional capacity.
The progress of our science must be in the service of the progress of the entire society. This is a major systemic change brought about by the Science Fund. The way we work and evaluate projects in Serbia is now the same as in other European Science Funds Our scientists, with the help of the Science Fund, are getting ready to apply to other European scientific competitions and thus show the whole world that Serbia has something to offer in international level and that our people can contribute to resolving the biggest challenges facing the entire humanity today, to which only science can give a reasoned and correct answer.
What are the Science Fund’s biggest successes and results?
As the greatest success, I would like to single out the fact that our researchers can follow their ambitions, do what they are best at in their home country and thus help Serbia. Today, they do not have to seek money for their research from other international funds. Thanks to the Science Fund, the smartest people stay in Serbia and young generations of scientists, who bring new, fresh ideas, now have the opportunity to help society and restore faith in science. Science Fund plays a really important role in Serbia. It is an institution that was established on a very well-thought-out foundation that has adequately incorporated international standards in its procedures. This has been recognized by the international scientific community, which is seen in the fact that the Science Fund’s Acting Director became a member of the Board of Directors of Science Europe at the end of last year.
What are the advantages of the competitive financing of science?
In the case of the Science Fund’s programmes, the passing rate is only about 15%, and this is a sign that the competition is very strong. On the other hand, the Science Fund has ensured that project proposals are evaluated by foreign experts, who are all authorities in their respective scientific fields. It is the competition and objective, a professional and independent assessment which results in a fair contest that ensures that only the best ideas and the best projects are approved for funding. On the other hand, such contests are also usual practice at international scientific competitions, hence our scientists and researchers have been preparing to apply for foreign grants.
How can cooperation between science and the business sector, as well as other sectors in society, help the Science Fund to achieve its goals and advance scientific and technological development?
All of humanity is facing great challenges to which only science can provide adequate answers
In addition to scientific excellence, the criteria for evaluating projects are the impact that a certain project can have on science or society as a whole, as well as its implementation. Therefore, the project itself should aim at solving a current challenge and foresee the possibility of its application. Also, the Science Fund has programmes in place that, from the get-go, require the cooperation of the scientific and economic sectors, such as the Green Programme of Cooperation between Science and Industry. We now have a long and challenging road ahead of us to get the business sector interested in investing in science and to realize that such investments are also investments in business development as their goal is to find cheaper, faster and innovative solutions for the companies themselves.
Why is continued investment in science important?
Today, all of humanity is facing great challenges to which only science can provide adequate answers. Also, new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are not a thing of the future but are our reality. Only through stable investments in science, which implies investments in technological equipment and knowledge, can Serbia compete as an equal with far richer and more developed countries. At the same time, we must not forget that by continuously investing in science, we are contributing to a better life for all our citizens.
How can the scientific knowledge and solutions devised by our researchers contribute to the economic and social development of Serbia?
The knowledge and solutions that our researchers came up with under the auspices of the Science Fund’s 11 programmes play a key role in improving the economic and social development of Serbia. Innovation and technological progress boost the economy’s competitiveness, while medical research improves public health and reduces healthcare costs. Scientific research in environmental protection promotes sustainable development, while scientific knowledge serves as a basis for improving education and human resource development. Research in the field of social sciences and humanities provides insights into social problems and proposes policies that promote social justice and inclusion.
The knowledge and solutions that our researchers came up with under the auspices of the Fund’s 11 programmes play a key role in improving the economic and social development of Serbia
The previous convocation of the Managing Board did an excellent job and as the Chairman of the current Managing Board, I and the Board are very motivated to support our scientists and create adequate conditions for their work and research and thus motivate them in their further development, to retain them in our country.
