BiH scientists break records in European research arena

Over the past four years, there has been an upward trend in the participation of researchers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the COST programme (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), reflected both in the increased financial resources drawn from the programme and the growing international recognition of local experts.

From 2021 to the present, the funds drawn from the COST programme have more than tripled — from around €99,000 in 2021 to nearly €360,000 in 2024. Already in 2022, the amount reached €260,000, and in 2023 it exceeded €350,000, indicating consistent growth and increased involvement of domestic researchers in international scientific networks, CE Report quotes FENA.

Even more progress has been made in terms of leadership in COST Actions. While Bosnia and Herzegovina had seven leadership positions in 2021, by 2024 this number rose to 17 researchers from BiH currently leading COST Actions — the highest figure since the country joined the programme. Among the 70 new Actions approved for 2025, for the first time the main proposers of approved Actions are from Bosnia and Herzegovina: Erna Karalija from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Sarajevo and Adna Ašić from the Verlab Research Institute.

“The success of our researchers within the COST programme clearly demonstrates that scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina are increasingly integrating into European research networks. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH will continue to support efforts to strengthen the international visibility and networking of the domestic scientific community,” said Minister Dubravka Bošnjak, noting that the Ministry supports scientific activities through grant funding for co-financing research and innovation projects.

The COST programme, established in 1971, enables researchers across Europe to form thematic networks and collaborate on challenges of common interest. The programme does not directly fund research but provides support through the organisation of expert events, scientific exchanges, training, and workshops.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a full member of the COST programme since 2009, allowing domestic experts to participate equally and lead COST Actions, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH.