Dear researchers, esteemed colleagues,

As the newly appointed Acting Director of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, I would like to address you regarding the numerous questions and justified concerns that have arisen in relation to the evaluation process within the IDEAS 2024 programme. I believe it is the professional and ethical responsibility of the Fund to provide you with complete and clear information, and to ensure a process that is transparent and aligned with the highest scientific and academic standards.

In the previous period, during the application and evaluation process for IDEAS 2024 project proposals, a new software system was used for the first time to automatically match project proposals with reviewers, as well as for communication with participants in the call. However, this system experienced serious technical errors, due to which certain researchers received incorrect notifications regarding the status of their projects. Although the Science Fund responded promptly and clarified that this was a technical issue, I understand that such a situation has understandably caused concern, particularly given the importance of this programme for the scientific community.

In order to determine the reliability of the entire process, we are conducting an internal assessment of the validity and correctness of the procedure implemented. It is essential to eliminate any possibility that certain projects were incorrectly assigned or evaluated, which could have direct consequences for fairness and equal treatment in the assessment of research teams. For this reason, a comprehensive technical and procedural analysis of the software, supporting documentation, and all subsequent evaluation steps is currently underway, in order to ensure that no participant in the process is placed at a disadvantage due to systemic errors.

We are also aware that researchers have not yet received official information on the results of the first evaluation round, nor have they been given the opportunity to exercise their right to appeal, which represents not only a legal but also a professional standard in protecting your work. The Fund will ensure that this right is fully respected, in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice and the applicable laws of the Republic of Serbia.

The Science Fund exists to serve you—the researchers whose work shapes scientific progress and the international standing of the Republic of Serbia. For this reason, improving communication is one of our priorities. Going forward, no correspondence or email from the Fund will be sent without the name and surname of the responsible person, including mandatory contact details. Furthermore, one of our primary objectives is to establish additional forms of direct communication, including open consultation sessions with researchers. I believe that direct, transparent, and continuous communication not only strengthens trust but also represents a fundamental prerequisite for responsible management of any research evaluation and funding process.

I sincerely believe that we all share the same goal: strengthening the scientific community, improving research conditions, and ensuring the success of our scientists both domestically and internationally. Only through continuous, open, and evidence-based communication among all stakeholders can we ensure a stable and sustainable research funding system, in line with European standards and best international practices.

I fully understand your concerns and appreciate the professional and human patience you have shown. In the coming period, the Science Fund will keep you informed in a timely manner about all results of the analyses, as well as planned deadlines and further steps in the evaluation process. Our goal is to ensure complete impartiality, transparency, and expertise, because only in this way can we safeguard the integrity of the IDEAS programme and the value of your work.

Thank you for your understanding, trust, and dedication to science.

Prof. Dr. Daria Kisić