Special research program on COVID-19

Special research program on COVID-19 aims to support projects that will contribute to efficient scientific response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and enable better preparedness and the timely reaction of the whole society to this pandemic.

The Program was initiated and prepared under the circumstances of the state of emergency declared in the Republic of Serbia considering the COVID-19 pandemic. Having in mind the importance of involving the scientific community, this Program has a special strategic significance for the Republic of Serbia and its citizens.

This Program includes the development of applicable solutions while supporting applied scientific research, creation of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams and project applications made by consortiums. This program is inciting the projects that can offer solutions that actively contribute to the fulfilment of the goals of this Program the fastest.

14 research projects within the Special research program on COVID-19 were approved for funding. Projects were implemented during the period 2020-2022.

Projects from the following fields of science were approved:

11 from the Biomedical science

2 from Economics, sociological, psychological research and management of complex systems

1 project from Biomedical engineering and IT

Total approved budget of the Program: EUR 1,975,435.71.

Minimal amount per project: EUR 46,866.00.

Maximum amount per project: EUR 406,612.00.

Project duration: from 12 to 24 months.

Approved projects can be found on the following LINK.

Program Status: Final reporting on the program is in progress.

Funding is provided through the World Bank loan, the SAIGE Project.

List of projects approved for funding:

AntioxIdentification – The role of antioxidant and ACE2 genetic profile in risk stratification and mid-term prognosis of COVID-19 patients

CAPSIDO – Developement of the assays for detection of SARS Cov-2 virus capsid proteins in biological fluids of COVID19 patients

CASHMIR-C19 – Androgen dependent SARS-CoV-2 stimulation of hyperinflammatory response in COVID-19

CIBIRDS – COVID-19: immunogenetic background, immune response and disease severity

Cov2Soul.RS – National survey of mental health after COVID-19 pandemic: Multilevel analysis of individual and societal factors

COVANSA – Assessment of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in patients with Covid 19 virus infection, analytically supported by artificial intelligence

COVIDTARGET – Repurposing of drugs for prevention and treatment of Covid-19

FORACOVID – Time of occurrence, frequency, optimal way of detection of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in the autopsy material of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine

idCOVID – Continuous inactivation and removal of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor air by ionization

INEQ RS COVID-19 – Social Stability in Serbia Challenged? Pandemics, Economic losses, Inequality and Policy Responses

MICEPRE_EEEM – Macroeconomic implications of COVID-19 and effectivness of policy response in Europe: Empirical evidence and econometric modelling

SMART Repurposing – Small Molecule Anti-RNA-virus Therapy. Repurposing Iminosugars and Chloroquine Analogues Against COVID-19

TACTICIAN – Targeting Autophagy to Combat SARS-CoV2-induced Immune Dysregulation

V.I.R.U.S. – Survivors of COVID19: variety of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in correlation with clinical manifestation. Long term follow up