Grant scheme “Scientific potential in support of innovation development”

Key information about the grant scheme “Scientific potential in support of innovation development”.

Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation is responsible for monitoring technical implementation and physical progress of the Grant scheme “Scientific potential in support of innovation development” that is set in the Annual Action Programme for Montenegro for 2020, IPA II Sector 3: Education, employment and social policies.

This grant scheme is being implemented under the Action - Supporting smart and inclusive growth - education, employment and social inclusion 2020, Result 1 - Enhanced inclusion and employability of the long-term unemployed, with the focus on social welfare beneficiaries, women, youth and PwD, by supporting life in the community and through local partnerships initiatives for employment, Activity 1.3 - Improved linkage between science and industry based on Smart Specialization Strategy.

The grant scheme was designed to enhance Montenegro’s national research and innovation ecosystem by investing in scientific capacity as a driver of innovation. 

It was launched with a total value of 1.18 million EUR. Initially, 9 projects were selected for funding in the total amount of EUR 980,643.54, with implementation starting in January 2023, representing over 83% of the total allocation. Individual grant amounts ranged from 93,000 EUR to 125,000 EUR. These funds were crucial for supporting a range of innovative, research-driven projects across the country. 

Following the official contracting process, the implementation of contract no. CFCU/MNE/208 – “Artificial Intelligence in Smart Homes” in the amount of 98,399.85 EUR was suspended. Specifically, the Coordinator was unable to provide the required financial guarantee, making further implementation of this project impossible.

Accordingly, 8 contracts are now being implemented under the grant scheme, and the total allocation amount has been reduced to 882,243.69 EUR.

Objectives of the Grant Scheme

The general objective of the grant scheme was to strengthen excellence in research and innovation system in Montenegro, with a strong emphasis on human resources. 

To achieve this, the scheme focused on:

    Fostering collaboration between academia and the economic sector, in line with Montenegro’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, which identifies priority areas for innovation;

    Promoting and increasing mobility as well as skill development among young researchers;

    Enhancing their technical and commercial competencies through direct engagement with economic sector;

    And finally, strengthening R&D capacities within academic institutions. 

Ultimately, the scheme sought build a system where research talent is nurtured, connected to industry, and empowered to contribute to innovation-driven growth.

Call Priorities

The call placed a strong focus on engaging young researchers - especially women - in both academic and business sectors. The focus was placed on practical experience, knowledge exchange, and increasing the number of RDI projects across institutions, in order to ensure that research is not only theoretical but also applicable and impactful.

Activities of the Funded Project

The supported projects covered a wide range of activities, from sustainable agriculture and support for small producers, to digital health platforms and off-grid solutions for remote communities. Other initiatives focused on high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and energy transition. Special emphasis was also placed on digital tools in business, including innovative software systems for accounting and administration.

Many projects introduced new technologies and tested innovative approaches in real-world contexts.

This diversity reflects the ambition of the scheme – not only to support research, but to respond to real social and economic challenges through innovation.

Major Developments and Achievements

The scheme produced several key achievements that have had an important impact on Montenegro’s research and innovation landscape:

    It established long-term partnerships between academia and industry, creating a platform for joint innovation, but also empowered young researchers, with an emphasis on gender inclusion, by integrating them into real business environments where they could apply their knowledge and gain practical experience. This not only strengthened their technical and entrepreneurial skills but contributed to reversing brain drain and boosting the innovation potential of both sectors.

    It strengthened national capacity for managing EU funds, serving for many applicants as an important step in navigating EU project frameworks. The grant scheme helped build operational capacity by offering hands-on experience in project implementation, financial management, and compliance, which are skills essential for successful participation in future EU-funded initiatives.

    And finally, it helped promote a science-driven approach to development, by encouraging the practical application of research and aligning innovation with market needs. Initiatives like this are vital for enhancing Montenegro’s long-term competitiveness and fostering sustainable, science-led growth.

Recent Developments

As of 1 July 2025, six final narrative reports have been submitted. On-the-spot verifications have been completed for six projects as well, and R&A visas have been issued accordingly – marking their successful closure. All verifications confirmed that the projects were implemented in line with contractual obligations, and overall compliance and relevance to objectives were rated positively.

Projects and activities

CFCU/MNE/209 - Creation of new fruit and vegetable products

-    Support to smallholders in the northern region of Montenegro involved in in fruit and vegetable production

CFCU/MNE/210 - Innovation and research for off-grid settlements

-    Development of innovative solutions for problems faced by 6 katun households in off-grid areas

CFCU/MNE/211 - Enabling seamless integration and secure sharing of electronic health records using blockchain technology – HEALCHAIN

-    Development of a platform for secure exchange of healthcare information between relevant stakeholders

CFCU/MNE/212 - Reinforce and connect absorption capacity in companies for new research and innovation solution, through the process of empowerment of the human resource management models and tools based on identified gap – EmpowerHR4Inno

-    Human resource capacity building for implementing innovation in companies

CFCU/MNE/213 - HPC4S3ME - Building scientific and innovation potential to utilize HPC and AI for S3 Smart Specialization in Montenegro

-    Capacity development in applied computer sciences based on the use of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) for research and development in S3 priority areas

CFCU/MNE/214 - High technology for sustainable autochthonous olive cultivation and innovations in traditional food value chain

-    Sustainable and resilient olive cultivation with ICT support

CFCU/MNE/215 - Oxiom FinBot – an innovative concept that unites companies and science!

-    Development of an innovative AI-supported software as a digital support tool in the field of administration and accounting

CFCU/MNE/216 - Exploring green energy transition potential in Montenegrin transport system

-    Innovation in green energy transition: encouraging the concept of prosumers and transport electrification.