Ministry of Science crowns this year’s work by awarding EUR 3.5 million in a single day

The Ministry of Science crowned its achievements in 2019 with an official ceremony at which EUR 3.5 million were awarded in a single day – including the funds for doctoral scholarships, innovation projects, two new centres of excellence and strategic partnerships in the implementation of a pre-accelerator programme for innovative start-ups, as well as the annual awards to the most successful scientists and innovators.

Addressing numerous guests and the recipients of scholarships, grants and awards, Minister Damjanović emphasised that the past three years had been very challenging due to a number of activities initiated, but that a breakthrough had been made in strengthening the innovation ecosystem of Montenegro.

“We know that our country has exceptional people, and the Ministry is guided by an ambitious vision to achieve much more in the field of science and innovation”, Damjanović said. The minister thanked all the partners and those who accepted the call for cooperation, supporting the process of creating the instruments that properly reflect the needs and opportunities of the Montenegrin society, adding that “today’s awardees and their projects and ideas have a great responsibility as we expect a lot from them”.

As part of the programme, Minister Damjanović awarded the grants for innovation projects, centres of excellence, strategic partnerships in the implementation of a pre-accelerator programme for innovative start-ups, as well as the annual awards to the most successful scientists and innovators.

On behalf of the awardees of the grants for innovative projects, those present were addressed by Dr. Marko Simeunović, Assistant Professor, who indicated that Montenegro, despite being a small country, had exceptional researchers and innovators, as well as significant potential whose focus should be placed on patents and the commercialisation of potential solutions. In addition, Simeunović sent a call for cooperation to all scientific and innovative institutions in Montenegro and the business community, in order to form a research and innovation synergy that would create the basis for a better future of our society.

Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković attended today’s ceremony and presented scholarships for doctoral research. On behalf of the awardees, the attendees were addressed by Neda Bošković, who reflected on the importance of the doctoral research scholarship programme, under which funds were provided for completion of doctoral studies in satisfactory conditions for the second year in a row. According to her, this can lead to concrete results that can define the development path of our country.