Sarajevo Canton Government: Contracts Signed for 39 Research and Development Projects of Special Interest
The Sarajevo Canton Government continues to invest substantially and systematically in the development of a knowledge-based society, reaffirming that science, researchers, and domestic intellectual potential are the foundation of the Canton’s long-term progress. The Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth has completed the funding allocation process under the public call for Program A.1a, officially securing the implementation and funding of 39 outstanding scientific research, artistic research, and research and development projects totaling BAM 2,000,000.
The signing of contracts with the 39 selected teams completes the support process, providing funding of up to BAM 100,000 per project. The selected projects directly address key community challenges and needs, covering public health, environmental protection and pollution reduction, the energy transition, digitalization and automation, agriculture and food security, as well as culture and sports. Each project is required to deliver measurable scientific results, demonstrate quality through publication in internationally recognized journals, and ensure direct practical applicability through cooperation with businesses and the public sector.
Nihad Uk, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, emphasized the strategic importance of the Government’s commitment:
“Today, we are investing two million convertible marks in excellence, innovation, and domestic intellectual potential because we firmly believe that investing in science and researchers is the only sound foundation for long-term development. The seriousness of our policy is also demonstrated by the fact that we have systematically increased the science budget over the years—from BAM 500,000 in 2017 to multimillion-mark allocations, including BAM 4.3 million in 2024, and sustained funding that ensures science in Sarajevo addresses citizens’ real needs and produces results with practical applications. Our researchers are the intellectual driving force of this society, and the Sarajevo Canton Government will always be their reliable partner.”
Dušanka Bošković, Sarajevo Canton Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth, reflected on the importance of implementing these projects and the opportunities they bring to the academic community:
“Through their work, the Sarajevo Canton Government and the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth seek to continuously build a system that recognizes and supports scientific excellence, research potential, and new ideas, while also creating an environment in which science can make its full contribution to society’s development.”
Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, Rector of the University of Sarajevo, emphasized the importance of sustained institutional support for scientific research and cooperation between the academic community and the Sarajevo Canton Government.
The Sarajevo Canton Government has steadily strengthened budgetary support for scientific research over the years—from BAM 500,000 in 2017 to BAM 1 million in 2018, BAM 2.8 million in 2019, and sustained multimillion-mark allocations in subsequent years: BAM 4 million in 2022, BAM 4.25 million in 2023, BAM 4.3 million in 2024, and BAM 2.4 million in 2025. These allocations reaffirm that systematic support for science remains a lasting and unequivocal strategic commitment of the Sarajevo Canton Government.
