In an international climate of rapid change where each day brings new technological and scientific advancements, government funding of education and research in the sciences has never been more critical. In the Republic of Croatia, focus on building a vibrant scientific and technological community is both of primary importance to the country’s economic future and an integral part of the country’s heritage.

The top economic powers in the world today also lead the international community in scientific research and technology. Such nations as Finland, Denmark, Japan, China and the United States encourage work in these areas through judicious funding of research and development of such cutting-edge technologies as alternative energy and minimally invasive medical applications.

Croatia’s Heritage

While Croatia is a relatively new nation — gaining independence in 1991 — it enjoys a rich tradition of scientific discovery through the centuries. Native Croatian son Faust Vrancic (1551-1617), a prolific inventor, is perhaps best remembered for his inventions of the parachute and the suspension bridge. Josip Vucetic (1858-1925) pioneered scientific dactyloscopy, or identification by fingerprints, which was adopted into worldwide usage in the 1920s. Croatian Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), an early developer of wireless and high-frequency technologies, lent his name to the unit for magnetic induction, the Tesla. A leading international expert in thermodynamics, Fran Bosnjakovic was born in Zagreb in 1902. Croatian Eduard Prugovecki (1937-2003) was a major contributor to quantum theory.

Two Croatians have received the Nobel Prize for Science. Lavoslav Ruzicka won a Nobel in 1939 for his groundbreaking work in organic chemistry. Vladimir Prelog won the Nobel prize for science in 1975 for organic chemistry discoveries as well.

Croatia’s Future

Clearly, Croatia has produced some of the finest scientific minds, and the most creative, over the centuries. The challenge that faces the government today is to ensure that this proud heritage continues far into the future. Inspiring young Croatians to continue their education at institutes of higher learning is critical to nurturing a strong intellectual community. By encouraging students to study science and technology, the Croatian government can build a strong basis for future advances in the international economy.

Current Government Funding

The country’s Ministry of Science, Education and Sport (MSES) currently funds several programs that promote its rich scientific history as well as its technological future. “Who is Who in Croatian Science” is an online archive, sponsored by MSES, that fosters communication between contemporary Croatian scientists working domestically and abroad.

Another MSES-funded program is the Croatian Scientific Bibliography (CROSBI) that makes archived scientific papers dating from 1997 to the present written by Croatian scholars and researchers available to both the public and the scientific community at large. CROSBI includes journal articles, books, theses, reports, manuscripts and other materials.

The government established BICRO, the Business Innovation Center of Croatia, in 1998 for the express purpose of supporting those programs that strengthen technological development and in turn sustain the country’s economic growth. BICRO partners with MSES and the University of Zagreb on the Incubation Center for Bioscience project in the Croatian capital city.

In 2006, the government funded the creation of the Croatian Institute of Technology (CIT Ltd). The Institute facilitates active cooperation and communication between researchers, tech companies, and entrepreneurs who all share a commitment to the development of a technological infrastructure in Croatia, as well as strong connections to the European research and development industry. CIT Ltd. administers government grants through its Program TEST for selected commercial technological research and development.

Other government funding earmarked for distribution in the areas of scientific and technological projects include “z-projekti,” an ongoing grant program, and the “Unity through Knowledge Fund,” which encourages scientific research for internationally-competitive projects with the potential to strengthen the Croatian economy.

Education Funding

One area of funding upon which the government of Croatia could build is helping promising young Croatians get the higher education necessary to prepare them as future leaders in the international scientific and technological arenas. Financial aid awards and scholarship opportunities are often the only means with which many students can pursue careers in these areas. An investment in educating young Croatians today is integral to the government’s plan to develop a robust economy with the ability to compete in the international marketplace.