Science for Industry Program – AI Application in Industry through Scientific Partnership – “From Lab to Market”
The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia is launching a Call for Expression of Interest for domestic experts and experts from Serbian diaspora interested to join the Strategic Program Screening Panel and perform initial strategic and thematics screening of Short Project Proposals that will be submitted to the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia as a part of the Science for Industry Program – AI Application in Industry through Scientific Partnership – “From Lab to Market” (hereinafter referred as to the “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.
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.
Program supports applied research and is thematically oriented and aligned with the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia “The Power of Knowledge” 2021-2025, the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Republic of Serbia 2020-2027 (RIS3), and Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030, as well as other development and sectoral strategies. 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 Strategic Panel 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 first stage of evaluation process is performed by the Strategic Program Screening Panel, an independent expert body which consists of seven members (senior experts, researchers, professors emeriti, and representatives of relevant institutions and private sector, appointed under clear mandates and conflict-of-interest rules). The Strategic Panel composition is structured to include:
• Three members from research and academic institutions;
• Three members from the industry;
• One member with proven experience in public policy design or implementation.
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 Strategic Program Screening Panel Members.
During the engagement, work of the Strategic Program Screening Panel will be organized remotely and/or on-site in Belgrade.
Once contracted, Strategic Program Screening Panel Members are entitled to a fee of 200 EUR/per day (for 8 working hours). The expected engagement of each Strategic Program Screening Panel Member is up to 14 working days.
The Strategic Program Screening Panel assignment for the Program is expected to take part in the second half of June 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. The candidates should select and complete only one of the provided registration forms, depending on whether they are applying as a Panel member from industry or a Panel member from science.
- Registration Form for Strategic Program Screening Panel Members – member from science (provided HERE)
- Registration Form for Strategic Program Screening Panel Members – member from industry (provided HERE )
Interested candidates should send their CV along with the appropriate registration form, fully completed, to the following email address: lab2market-pb@fondzanauku.gov.rs by 12:00 CET on 10 June 2026. by 20:00 CET on 11 June 2026. by 12:00 CET on 12 June 2026.