Montenegro joined the new seven-year framework program of the European Union (EU) for research and innovation "Horizon Europe", which will make funds worth 95 billion euros available to the state, announced the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MPNKS).
The department said that the international agreement on Montenegro's participation in the Horizon Europe program was signed by the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Marija Gabriel and the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vesna Bratić.
It is reported that five countries of the Western Balkans have secured full access to the EU program for research and innovation for the period up to 2027.
"By signing an international agreement, our scientific research community, companies that have the capacity for innovation, a certain part of civil society and local self-government/public administration, the possibility of using funds from the EU funds for science and innovation, as well as all other EU member countries, opens up," he says. in the announcement.
MPNKS pointed out that by participating in the new program, the Montenegrin scientific research community has the opportunity to build on the experience gained from the previous Horizon 2020 program.
Bratić said that Montenegro is committed to involving the scientific community in the most modern projects in the field of research and innovation.
"The accession agreement applies retroactively from January 1 this year and it is particularly important that the Ministry ensured that institutions from Montenegro have the opportunity to participate in the calls of this program on an equal basis with institutions from the EU27 from the beginning of the year," said Bratić.
She pointed out that she is convinced that Montenegrin research teams will recognize the opportunity offered by the Horizon Europe program and that, in cooperation with European partners, they will prepare quality project proposals that will solve current global challenges.
According to the MPNKS, Gabriel welcomed the admission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo to the Horizon Europe program.
"By working together, we can attract investments, develop human capital, support startups and create the necessary conditions for growth. Implementation of the Western Balkans Agenda and participation in the Horizon Europe program will have a great impact in the region and throughout Europe," said Gabriel.
MPNKS reminded that the Government made a decision at the session on November 26 to join the Horizon Europe program by accepting the International Agreement between the EU and Montenegro.
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