Talented pupils and students, innovators and inventors, through various programs, are supported by two government departments - the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technological Development. The Ministry of Education through elementary school, studies, master's and doctoral studies, while the focus of available support from the Department of Science is aimed at promoting the career of researchers, stimulating innovative ideas in all age categories and strengthening institutional capacities.
Both ministries were asked about all support mechanisms. From the Department of Education, of which he is the head Miomir Vojinović They responded to the "news" only by listing benefits that include payments through scholarships, loans, fees for high school students... They did not talk about, say, cooperation with non-governmental organizations, possible camps, workshops...
From the department Biljane Šćepanović they said that they do not have direct mechanisms or competitions for elementary and high school students, because that is in the domain of the Ministry of Education, but they mentioned another type of support that they can provide to that population as well.
"The target group of the Ministry of Science and Technological Development consists of researchers, scientists, innovators, inventors and institutions engaged in scientific research and innovation activities, so the special focus of available support from our Ministry is aimed at promoting the career of researchers, stimulating innovative ideas in all age categories, as and to strengthen institutional capacities", they told "Vijesta".
The department of the Minister of Science in the technical mandate includes elementary and high school students in the world of science through promotional activities, such as the "Days of Science and Innovation" festival.
"The goal of the Festival is to get children interested in science from an early age, to help them recognize their affinities and preferences, on the basis of which, by further choosing a high school or university, various other possibilities would open up for them", they explained.
High school students also have the opportunity to participate in to the international program "Masterclass in particle physics", which, they say, brings them closer to the real research life of one of the attractive fields of science - particle physics. In the past year, experts from the International Organization for the Promotion of Particle Physics, as they said, gave Montenegrin high school students three classes/lectures.
Starting this year, through the Innovation Fund, programs for pupils and students who have innovative ideas and strong potential for innovative activities are being implemented. Those interested can be informed about this via the Fund's website (fondzainovacije.me/programi/podstićen-inovacione-kulture).
"Also, the promotion of talents and designed innovation programs for these purposes will be supported by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development within the 'Days of Science and Innovation 2023' Festival, and the call for project ideas will be published next week," said the department.
Next week, the annual competition for the co-financing of scientific and research activities - NID Competition 2023 will be announced, and one of the program lines will be intended for elementary and high school students for their extracurricular activities related to science.
"Through this line, we co-finance organizations that promote science to young people in the most beautiful way - by creating content for the 'Days of Science and Innovation 2023' Festival, as well as organizing workshops, trainings, competitions and the like throughout the year," they told "Vijesta".
In the part of the scientific and research policy, for the young population of students of natural sciences, mathematics and technical faculties, they highlight the financing of the CERN Student Summer School. The school is held every year for eight to 13 weeks during July and August, and includes theoretical training, participation in workshops, seminars, exhibitions as well as experimental work.
"Within this program, students have a unique opportunity to join the daily work of research teams participating in experiments at CERN. In addition to the exceptional value of the stay itself, selected students have the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment and have extremely rich personal experiences. The invitation to participate in the CERN Student Summer School is published every year in November or December," said the Ministry of Science.
This year, that department also supported the implementation of the project of the Student Parliament of the State University - "UCG Open Day and Seasonal Employment Fair 2023", where graduates and students could hear about the programs offered by the Ministry of Science to the student population and young researchers, within which certain jobs are also possible, i.e. paid engagement on scientific research projects.
"We believe that the best mechanisms for preventing the outflow of young talents are the creation of adequate conditions for their work and life in our country. The Ministry of Science and Technological Development contributes to this plan by co-financing numerous and diverse project activities. As an example, we point out the 'Competition for co-financing of national research projects', whose budget is 2,3 million euros and which enables, among other things, the employment of young researchers", they told "Vijesta".
The Ministry of Education directed those interested in talent support programs to website of that department.
All information about the support provided by Biljana Šćepanović's department is also published on the website - ww.gov.me/mntr, but the Ministry of Science and Technological Development also referred to smart specialization portal, and they also say that those interested can contact them on the phones and emails of each of the individual support programs they offer.
Bonus video:
