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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Science Ministry consultancy bureau for international projects opens

Belgrade, 4 March 2008

The Serbian Minister of Science Ana Pesikan stated that the ministry’s consultancy bureau for international projects has begun work. The bureau was established in cooperation with the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences (SANU).

Steve Quori, left, and Ana Pesikan

Addressing a press conference, Pesikan said that the task of the bureau is to help scientists who wish to apply for work in international projects, and particularly those who want to compete for funds from the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

She explained that the bureau will inform scientists about new invitations from the FP7, and will provide help in writing applications, as well as offer advice on how best to compete for funds together with a consortium of partners.

The Minister said that the bureau was opened with the aim of increasing the number and the chances of success for applications submitted from Serbia to Brussels, and announced that regular workshops will be arranged regarding written applications, as well as courses to adequately answer specific questions raised by the scientists.

Director of the bureau Steve Quori said that preparation of scientific projects, particularly when the FP7 is in question, is a huge task for scientists, and added that the bureau will help them with this.

According to Quori, scientists who are working on projects will be informed by the bureau about acquiring funds for their work and how to make their projects understandable.

Quori specified that working versions of the proposed projects will be examined according to the order in which applications are received, and added that rejected projects will also be analysed in order to determine frequently repeated mistakes and ambiguities so that work can be improved.

FP7 is the basic mechanism of the European Commission for financing research projects in the period 2007 to 2013 and includes a budget of €50.5 billion. Countries that want to enter the EU also participate in this programme under certain conditions.

The programme brings together all EU initiatives in the field of research, such as the Framework programme for competitiveness and innovation, education and training programmes, and structural and cohesive funds for regional development. It plays an important role in achieving economic growth, competitiveness and employment.

Scientists who want to ask the Bureau's office for assistance with a project can do so via e-mail (info.biro@mntr.sr.gov.yu) or directly in the headquarters in Belgrade (Vlajkovićeva 3), every working day from 9 am to 5 pm.