Science and technology are crucial to the development of a modern state, its progress and well-being. Science and technology serve, either directly or indirectly, the development of majority of human aspirations: intellectual, economic, cultural, ecological etc. The main purpose of science is the establishment of the system of science and technology - a key factor of the social and economic development of Croatia.

The entire system of science and technology should be characterized by adaptability and flexibility that are the best impediments to scientific exclusivism and short-term pragmatism. The balance between basic and applied research and development (R&D) cannot be determined beforehand, nor is it possible to establish beforehand the scientific, technological or market potential of a project. Sometimes there is no way to forecast successfully the commercial potential of research. However, it is certain that various basic research may improve competitive advantages of the Croatian economy and companies.

Scientific research activity in Croatia has been monitored and implemented within the framework of six scientific fields: natural, technical, biomedical biotechnical, social sciences and the humanities.

The current situation in a specific scientific field results from the approach and conditions under which science and technology have been developing for decades.

At present the system of science and technology has been financed through three basic modalities:

• direct (targeted) financing of agreed programs implemented by public institutes and projects implemented by faculties and other legal entities with a mechanism of annual monitoring of results

• financing of young researchers engaged on a specific program or project, with long-term monitoring of their progress (attaining a Master's degree/Ph.D. and publication of papers)

• stimulation of publishing activities through financing (and co-financing) of scientific and professional journals as well as other publications, the acquisition of international journals and sponsoring scientific conferences.

The National Science Council
Public Institutes
National Scientific Research Projects