nzz.hr

1. The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of Republic of Croatia (NZZ) www.nzz.hr

2. Mission and vision NZZ will promote science, higher education and technological development in Republic of Croatia, in order to enhance development and employment opportunities. NZZ gives support to scientific, higher education and technological programs and projects, and also promotes mobility in the field of higher education. Support can be given to scientific programs of special interest, in basic, applied and developmental research. NZZ specially supports higher education programs which result in innovations and patents, gives grants to talented students and specially young and prominent scientists and experts. Mission

3. Mission and vision Transformation of Croatian society in society of knowledge Through strategic investment in people and ideas essential to outstanding research and helping project which can foster development of Republic of Croatia, NZZ helps the transformation of Croatian society in the society of knowledge, enhances development of globally recognized research and knowledge-based economy. Vision

4. Strategic values • people • ideas Strategic values • partnership • excellence

5. Strategic value I • people The greatest challenge is to build the most important resource – the human talent that drives discovery, innovation and prosperity. Research and development in today knowledge-based society depend on talent, ideas and energies from outstanding individuals. NZZ will invest in teachers, students and researchers in all educational levels in NZZ strategic fields. • ideas • partnership • excellence

6. Strategic value II • ideas Innovation requires bold ideas, creative vision, a passion for achievement and the highest level of discipline and organization. NZZ will seek out and support individuals and ideas with the greatest potential to achieve excellent results and innovations. • people • partnership • excellence

7. Strategic value III • partnership Effective research and development require a combination of resources and talents to drive ideas forward rapidly. NZZ will seek out and support effective collaborations and partnerships with individuals, institutions and industry in Croatia and all around the world that can best advances Croatian´s research, technological and economic competitiveness. • people • ideas • excellence

8. Strategic value IV • excellence Development of science must be based on principles of excellence. Scientific and research activities on universities should be connected to education and economy. Excellence can be build within successful individuals and within successful institutions. • people • ideas • partnership

9. Strategic focus of NZZ • Reform of higher education system in Croatia • Brain Gain • Information and communication technology • Biotechnology • New materials and new production processes • Environmental sciences and sustainable development • Sociocultural transition from industry to knowledge – based society

10. Programs • Programs are set up in important areas that underpin NZZ strategic fields. They are dedicated to special themes or projects. The topics are chosen by NZZ´s Steering Committee in cooperation with Ministry of Science, Education and Sport. • Support from NZZ can be given exclusively through established time-limited programs. • Steering Committee has so far launched programs: • Reform of the higher education system in Croatia • Brain Gain

11. Programs • Reform of the higher education system in Croatia • Development of PhD programs in Croatia • Objectives: • support development of PhD programs in Croatia; • support development of PhD programs in areas that underpin NZZ strategic fields; • support collaboration between universities and scientific institutions in establishing joint research and joint studies.

12. Programs • Visitor • Senior Brain Gain • Postdoc

13. Programs • Visitor Program "Visitor" enables (highly) qualified academics and industrial researchers resident outside Croatia to carry out research project of their own choice in Croatia, in those areas that are defined as strategic priorities of NZZ. Applications may be submitted for research stays normally of three to twelve months. • Senior • Postdoc

14. Programs • Senior Program "Senior" enables outstanding professors and scientists resident outside Croatia to take employment in Croatian university or institute and to carry out research project. Scientists must also participate in student training, at least on graduate level. Projects can last form 3 to 12 months. After one year researcher must ensure additional financing for it's research (Ministry of science, European sources, etc.). • Visitor • Postdoc

15. Programs • Postdoc The purpose of program "Postdoc" is to advance the professional competence and independence of young researchers who have recently earned their doctorate. Within NZZ priority fields. Grants are awarded to researchers for travel and living expenses, up to one year. In exceptional cases grants can be prolonged to one additional year. Grants don’t cover research costs. Grants are awarded for:participation in research abroad within joint study for at least one semester; participation in research whose objective is to enhance scientific development of Croatian universities and other scientific institutes, specially in strategic fields as defined in NZZ’s Strategic plan. • Visitor • Senior

16. Conclusion NZZ will invest in globally competitive scientific, higher education and engineering research activities of greatest strategic value to Croatia. By investing in this areas, NZZ will significantly enhance Croatian science, engineering and economic growth, and bring Croatia distinction for its sustained research excellence. NZZ is one crucial element of the national commitment to development of knowledge-based society that has the potential to benefit all Croatian citizens.