The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia is launching a Call for Expression of Interest for international experts and experts from Serbian diaspora interested to join the Program Board and perform project evaluation for the Science for Industry Program – AI Application in Industry through Scientific Partnership – “From Lab to Market” (hereinafter referred to as Call).
The general objective of the Science for Industry Program – AI Application in Industry through Scientific Partnership – “From Lab to Market” (hereinafter referred as to the “Program”) is to support the development and validation of applicable scientific solutions through structured and sustainable partnerships between research organisations and industry. The Program focuses on results that can be directly used as products, services, technological processes, or public policy solutions, including results with clear potential for further development, commercialisation, and sustainable application in the market, or for adoption within business and public systems.
Specific objectives are:
- Increasing the number of projects with demonstrable potential for application in a real‑world environment, through pilot implementation or testing with an industry partner and end users;
- Strengthening the capacities of research and development organisations to cooperate with industry during the phases of development, testing, and validation of solutions;
- Steering research activities towards industrial sectors recognised as strategic priorities in national strategies;
- Supporting the development of solutions that contribute to the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the economy and the public sector;
- Supporting the development of research results with identifiable market potential, including preparation of solutions for subsequent innovation phases, technology transfer, or cooperation with market actors, without an obligation to commercialise results during the project duration.
The Program does not support projects focused on fundamental research at the idea stage (TRL 1).
Projects are implemented through a mandatory consortium composed of a project lead – an accredited research organisation in the Republic of Serbia – and at least one industry partner. The consortium may comprise a maximum of five members. The participation of multiple research organisations is permitted and encouraged when it contributes to interdisciplinarity and is clearly justified.
All projects must be clearly positioned within one of the following priority domains, with AI as a cross-cutting technological component where relevant:
• Artificial Intelligence (AI);
• Food for the Future;
• Information and Communication Technologies;
• Machines and Manufacturing Processes of the Future;
• Creative Industries.
Digitalisation, energy transition, sustainable energy systems, and health are recognised as horizontal thematic directions that may be addressed across the domains laid below, in line with relevant national strategies.
Interested candidates for Program Board should have expertise in at least one of the priority domains of the Call, and/or horizontal thematic directions of the Program.
The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia has established a three-stage evaluation process for the Program. The third stage of the evaluation process is performed by the Program Board. The Program Board is an independent expert body which consists of five members.
The Project duration is up to 12 months. The total budget of the Program is € 11,700,000. The budget per project is between € 150,000 and € 300,000.
English is the working language for the proposed projects, as well as project evaluations, therefore excellence in the English language is a must for Program Board Members.
During the engagement, work of the Program Board will be organized remotely.
Once contracted, Program Board Members are entitled to a fee of 450 EUR/per day (for 8 working hours). The expected engagement of each Program Board Member is up to 30 working days.
The Program Board assignment for the Program is expected to start mid-September 2026 and to be completed by mid-October 2026.
Call for Expression of Interest and Terms of Reference available HERE.
Interested candidates should submit an application that consists of a filled-in Registration form and CV written in English.
Registration form provided HERE.
Interested candidates should send both files to the following email address: lab2market-pb@fondzanauku.gov.rs by 23:59 CET on 12 September 2026.