1. The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia (NFS) www.nzz.hr

2. About NFS  Founded by the Croatian Parliament in December 2001 for the purpose of promotion of science, higher education and technological development in the Republic of Croatia.  MAIN GOAL: to ensure economic growth and stimulation of employment.  VISION: transformation of Croatian society in society of knowledge. PEOPLEIDEAS COOPERATIONEXCELLENCE  Trough investment in PEOPLE and IDEAS, support of COOPERATION and promotion of EXCELLENCE, NFS supports transformation of Croatian society in society of knowledge, development of widely recognised scientific research and economy based on knowledge.  NFS current assets: 14.000.000 EUR The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia

3. Organizational structure of NFS Organization chart The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia The Board International advisory board The Advisory Board (7 Councils) Executive Board Administration -Assistant of the President of the Board - Program coordinator - Legal – financial advisor - Bookkeeping - Law office - IT support - Web administrator Reform of the higher education system in Croatia Brain gain Information and education technology Biotechnology New materials and new production processes Environmental sciences and sustainable development Socio cultural transition from industry to knowledge – based society Presentation of NFS work Internal quality assurance Publications and newsletter Investment of funds International relations

4. NFS programs The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia REFORM OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN CROATIA Development of the PhD programs Development of joint- study programs Development of institutional quality assurance units BRAIN GAIN SENIOR VISITOR POSTDOC TRAINING OF THE DOCTORAL STUDENTS Fellowships for doctoral students National research training courses and summer schools  Program Partnership in basic research  SCIENCE award for university students from all Croatia’s universities for a published scientific paper.

5. Development of institutional quality assurance units Institutions can get up to 200.000 Kn for development of institutional quality assurance units and research. Overall budget for the program is 2.000.000,00 kuna. Through three calls for proposals during 2005 there were 22 applications; 8 projects are accepted for financing with altogether 1.429.529,00 kuna. The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia The goals of the program are: To initiate establishment for quality assurance; To initiate institutional efforts in creation of the system for quality assurance; To support creation of national network for quality assurance in higher education; To support spreading of the culture of quality in academic and non-academic society; To promote cooperation between universities, associate-degree college and academies, as well as other scientific organization on establishment of quality assurance units; To support the cooperation between universities with public sector and economy on establishment of quality assurance units.

6. News from NFS… The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia The National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia is launching NFS Newsletter. Newsletter will be available on the NFS web page http://www.nzz.hr/glasnik/, and will be distributed by e-mailom.http://www.nzz.hr/glasnik/ The first number will be announced in November.