Yesterday, at a telephone session, based on the consent of the majority of members, the Government adopted the Information on providing support to Montenegrin applicants for the Teaming for Excellence Call (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01) - the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe.
The Information states that Montenegro has been participating in the European Commission's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation "Horizon Europe" since 2021, which is the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world. The programme includes open calls for applications from organisations from EU Member States, as well as countries associated with the Programme, such as Montenegro.
One of the public calls published on the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal is the Teaming for Excellence call (HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-ACCESS-01), which was published on December 3, 2024.
"This call supports the creation of new centres of excellence or the modernisation of existing ones in countries with weaker performance in the field of research and innovation, including Montenegro. A partnership is sought between a leading scientific institution (from a highly developed R&I country) and a main beneficiary institution (from an enlargement country), with the aim of strengthening research capacity. This would involve a partnership of a research institution from Montenegro, which links up with a successful partner from abroad, with the aim of jointly applying to this call," the Government explained.
They said that Montenegro's participation in the Teaming for Excellence call represents a strategically important step towards strengthening the national research and innovation system, along with integration with the European research and innovation space: "This call enables the construction or improvement of centers of excellence in cooperation with leading European institutions, which directly contributes to Montenegro's goals in the process of European integration and the development of the scientific and research system and smart specialization."
The total budget of the call is 270 million euros. It is expected that a minimum of 18 grants will be awarded, with eight to 15 million euros per grant.
Applications are submitted in two phases - project proposals for the first phase are submitted by April 10, 2025, and those who are positively assessed in that phase submit a complete project proposal by January 20, 2026. This is followed by an evaluation process, and it is expected that the start of the project, and therefore the financial participation of the state, will begin in 2027.
The European Commission grant in the amount of eight to 15 million euros makes up only 50 percent of the project's value, while the remaining 50 percent of the funds should be provided from national or other funds.
"This actually means that, in the event that any of the project proposals in which an organization from Montenegro participates is selected for funding by the European Commission, the Government of Montenegro should provide the remaining 50% of the funds," the executive branch explained.
"Regarding this Call, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has been approached by three institutions from Montenegro, which intend to apply to this Call, for which they need state support in the form of financial support in the amount of 8 to 15 million euros, or a guarantee of state financial participation in the amount of 50% of total funds," they added.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has received a request for support for the following projects: University of Montenegro - Center of Excellence for Nature-Based Solutions and Technologies for Protected Areas (CENNA); Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UCG - Regional Center of Excellence for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems.
The government emphasizes that establishing strategic partnerships with EU institutions enables knowledge transfer, development of research capacities and laying the foundation for excellence in areas relevant for Montenegro's smart specialization. Teeming-type projects build institutional capacities and networking, thereby increasing the competitiveness of domestic institutions for further participation in European programs and initiatives, they said.
"Positioning Montenegro as a country that develops centers of excellence strengthens its role in Southeast Europe, as well as its capacity for regional cooperation and leadership in priority areas. Participation in this call enables strategic direction towards research that supports green and digital transitions, in line with national and European priorities. Also, projects would include measures for the development and retention of young researchers, scientists and innovators in the country, which contributes to reducing the 'brain drain' and strengthens the local knowledge community. This initiative is fully aligned with Montenegro's strategic goals in terms of European integration, digital and green transition, and the development of a knowledge-based society," the Information states.
Montenegro, they said, is in an advanced stage of negotiations on EU membership, and participation in this call would further "demonstrate commitment to reforms" in the areas of research, education and innovation.
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