Projects

Project synopsis - BH ACADEMIC DIRECTORY

The BH Academic Directory is a digital platform that connects researchers, practitioners and students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora, enabling joint work, knowledge sharing and scientific development. The aim of the platform is to provide a centralised place for connecting researchers, encouraging cooperation between institutions and promoting scientific achievements both within and outside the country. The project is being carried out in cooperation with the company RUnIT, which develops the platform on a voluntary basis.

The BH Academic Directory has identified more than 35 thousand scientific publications and more than 3200 authors from a wide range of scientific fields, providing researchers with a rich resource for work and collaboration. In 2024 alone, we have already recorded more than 1.266 new publications.
The most represented research fields are:

• Medical sciences with 16.710 identified publications
• Engineering with 7.382 identified publications
• Computer science with 6.352 identified publications
• Ecology with 5.276 identified publications

Project goals

1. To create a network of researchers that facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of resources;

2. To reduce brain drain by providing opportunities for collaboration within BiH;

3. To strengthen cooperation between academia and industry in BiH.

The most represented research fields are:

• Medical sciences with 44% of researchers and 27% of publications
• Engineering with 11% of authors and 12% of publications
• Computer science with 6% of authors and 10% of publications
• Environmental science with 6% of authors and 8% of publications

Project outcomes

• More than 3.000 researchers from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora registered
• More than 35.000 scientific publications recorded on the platform
• New features added, such as improved viewing, searching and management of calls, new sources from which we collect publications, the use of AI technologies to process data on authors and publications, and improved search and filtering functionality

The BH Academic Directory is an initiative that actively contributes to the development of the scientific community through a range of activities. So far we have organised a Hackathon, bringing together young talent and experts in an innovative environment on the topic of applying AI to concrete problems related to the BH Academic Directory. We have held meetings with representatives of key ministries, embassies and scientific associations in order to strengthen cooperation and support. At the FLS conference, the directory was presented as an important tool for connecting researchers and strengthening the scientific network. Through social media, we regularly promote interesting papers and researchers, giving local talent visibility at a global level.

If you are a scientist with published work, we invite you to register on the platform.

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Project synopsis - EASTERN EUROPEAN MACHINE LEARNING SCHOOL

The Eastern European Machine Learning Summer School (EEML) 2025 was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 21 to 26 July 2025. This prestigious event was organised by the global AI community, with lecturers from institutions such as Google DeepMind, the University of Cambridge, Apple, EPFL, Oxford, Mila and others. The local partners were the Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT), the University of Sarajevo and the Romanian Association for Artificial Intelligence.

At EEML 2025 in Sarajevo, in addition to many excellent lecturers, participants had the opportunity to hear and learn from three world-renowned researchers. Alden Hung from Isomorphic Labs presented his work on developing artificial intelligence for the discovery of new drugs, including the revolutionary AlphaFold 3, showing how artificial intelligence is changing our understanding of biology at the molecular level. Aaron Courville, professor at the Université de Montréal and co-author of the book Deep Learning, shared his knowledge of the theoretical foundations of deep learning and the application of neural networks to solving complex problems. Samy Bengio, Director of Apple AI Research and a former member of the Google Brain team, spoke about the development of deep neural networks, speech recognition and data processing, and about the application of artificial intelligence in modern technologies.

EEML 2025 aimed to empower young researchers, doctoral students and engineers in machine learning and artificial intelligence. During an intensive week of lectures, hands-on workshops and networking, participants had the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts and to exchange knowledge and experience with colleagues from around the world.

While preparing this year's summer school, we raised more than EUR 170,000.00 from a large number of local, regional and global companies that recognised the importance of this event. All companies are listed below.

Project goals

1. Strengthening regional AI capacity by providing top-quality education to participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the whole of Eastern Europe;
2. Encouraging collaboration between young researchers and leading global institutions and experts;
3. Bridging theory and practice through workshops focused on applying machine learning in real-world contexts;
4. Positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as an important hub for the development of artificial intelligence in Eastern Europe;
5. Connecting local companies with global ones and with the investors who supported the event, through concrete networking opportunities organised by the investors during the school.

Project outcomes

• Participants had the opportunity to attend lectures by world-renowned experts such as Aaron Courville, Samy Bengio, Alden Hung, João Carreira, Diana Borsa, Ferenc Huszár and others;

• Through interactive workshops led by experts from Google DeepMind and Oxford, participants gained concrete knowledge and methods applicable in research and industry;

• The local AI community was strengthened through meetings with global experts and colleagues from around the world, laying the foundations for future collaboration;

• Sarajevo was recognised as a new centre of knowledge and innovation in artificial intelligence, while ANNT further consolidated its role in strengthening the country's scientific infrastructure;

• Several important side events were held, focusing on connecting local companies with global ones and with the investors who supported the event.

PROJECT PARTNERS

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Project synopsis - STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECT (PSI)

PSI is a mentoring programme that connects Bachelor's and Master's students with experienced researchers from prestigious universities and research centres. The programme is modelled on the internationally recognised UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme), and its aim is to give students practical experience in research and to improve their academic skills.

Through this project, students have the opportunity to work on current topics with the support of mentors, developing critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Each cycle of the programme brings new challenges and topics from various fields (e.g. physics, computer science, robotics, etc.), allowing students to test themselves in an interdisciplinary environment.

Project goals

1. To give students the opportunity to gain practical research experience through mentored projects.
2. To provide students with access to experts from top universities and industry and to foster professional networking and knowledge exchange.
3. To encourage the continuous development of a research culture among students and to contribute to the scientific community in BiH.

Project outcomes

• Completion of at least 10 student research projects per year.
• Publication of results in scientific journals and at conferences.
• Strengthening students' motivation and creating lasting connections within the academic and research community.

PSI is free of charge for all participants, and the mentors in the programme are volunteers. The programme focuses on the individual progress of students, encouraging them to adopt research methods, build confidence in presenting results and lay the foundations for continued academic or professional development. Regardless of the different cycles and projects, the core idea remains the same: to empower young researchers so that in the future, through collaboration and innovation, they can contribute to the development of science and technology in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Project synopsis - STEM YOUTH CAMP

STEM Youth Camp is a five-day educational programme for secondary school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina that, through interactive workshops, lectures and team activities, enables participants to explore science and technology beyond the school classroom. Over the years, the camp has become a platform for connecting young STEM enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to learn from top experts from academia and industry. The camp covers a variety of topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and participants gain practical experience through experiments, project assignments and innovative approaches to problem-solving. Through panel discussions, career guidance and workshops, young people gain insight into current trends in STEM and the skills needed to succeed in the global labour market.

Project goals

1. To inspire young people to explore and further develop their interest in STEM through practical “hands-on” activities and collaboration with experts.
2. To bring current trends in science and industry closer to young people and to show real-world applications of STEM knowledge in various fields.
3. To build a network of young people who share a passion for science and technology, and to motivate them to pursue further education or careers in these fields.

Project outcomes

• Participation of 50 young people in the camp every year.
• Raising awareness of the achievements of Bosnian-Herzegovinian scientists.
• Increasing the number of young people choosing STEM education.

Over the years, STEM Youth Camp has become a platform for connecting young people who share a common passion for innovation and scientific thinking. At the end of the camp, participants return to their communities not only with new knowledge and practical skills, but also with significant motivation to continue exploring the opportunities that STEM offers, for both personal and social progress.

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Project synopsis - SMALL SCIENCE MUSEUM

The Small Science Museum is an interactive and educational mobile exhibition created to popularise science and technology through practical and interactive content. This project is designed to inspire curiosity and a love of STEM fields in children, young people and adults alike, giving them the opportunity to experience science in a completely new and fun way.

Museum visitors have the opportunity to explore a variety of exhibits that they can touch and try out, and expert volunteers are on hand to explain all the secrets behind each demonstration. Through workshops and special demonstrations, participants will develop their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on activities.

Project goals

1. Popularising science through interactive and accessible content.
2. Encouraging the early involvement of young people in STEM education.
3. Creating a space for informal learning, exploration and the development of creativity.

Project outcomes

• Attracting at least 5.000 visitors a year, mostly young people.
• Increasing interest in STEM education and careers.

The interactive Science Museum offers a unique opportunity to make science interesting and accessible to everyone. Follow our social media to visit our exhibition and experience science in a way that will not leave you indifferent!

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Project synopsis - AI LANDSCAPE

The AI Landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an initiative of the Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT) that provides a comprehensive overview of the artificial intelligence development ecosystem in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to detailed mapping of innovative companies and institutions that apply AI technologies in their products and processes, the project also focuses on an educational component.

Companies are classified according to their level of AI integration and area of application, offering a clear understanding of the current state and development prospects of AI technologies in BiH. The project serves as a resource for businesses, investors and policymakers, and each edition is preceded by a detailed analysis of publicly available information. As the AI Landscape is a “living” document, we invite all companies and institutions that are not included or wish to update their status to contact us and thereby contribute to a more accurate and complete overview of the AI ecosystem in BiH.

Project goals

1. To identify and categorise all relevant entities working with AI in BiH.
2. To give greater visibility to companies that integrate AI into their processes, products or services.
3. To create a knowledge base that can be used in making strategic decisions and investments in the AI domain.

Project outcomes

• A continuously updated map of AI companies and institutions in BiH.
• Reference material for entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers.
• Greater media and public recognition of entities contributing to the development of AI technologies and applications in BiH.

This initiative provides a framework for a better understanding of the existing AI ecosystem, opens up opportunities for networking and collaboration between local and international actors, and serves as a foundation for the further growth and development of the AI sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

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Project synopsis – INSIGHT

INSIGHT is an international project that supports the development of early-stage research careers and strengthens cooperation between academia, business and the public sector. It is funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe programme and runs from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028. The Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (ANNT) is taking part as the partner from Bosnia and Herzegovina in a consortium that brings together 11 European organisations.

The project responds to the challenges researchers face at the start of their careers: insufficiently clear opportunities for advancement, limited support and difficult transitions between academia and other sectors. Through training, mentoring and the development of institutional practices, INSIGHT contributes to creating an inclusive environment in which researchers can develop the skills needed for the digital and green transition.

The approach will be tested through pilot activities focused on human factors in technology adoption in the automotive and manufacturing industries. Researchers, companies and public sector representatives will work together through workshops, co-creation of solutions and learning programmes.

Project goals

1. To connect researchers, universities, research organisations, business and policymakers in order to provide better support for research careers.
2. To develop skills, mentoring and opportunities for cross-sector mobility, in line with the needs of the labour market.
3. To support the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers through better working conditions and clearer opportunities for professional advancement.
4. To prepare evidence-based recommendations for improving national and European policies supporting researchers.

Project outcomes

The expected outcomes of the project include:

• Strengthened collaboration networks between academia, business and the public sector.
• Tailored training, mentoring and career development support programmes for researchers.
• Practical tools and guidelines for improving institutional support and applying the principles of the European Charter for Researchers.
• Lessons learned from the pilot activities and recommendations that can be used by other organisations across Europe.

Through its participation in INSIGHT, ANNT brings its experience in supporting young researchers, education and the development of the scientific community into European cooperation on improving research careers.

Project partners

The consortium is coordinated by 28DIGITAL (Belgium). The partners are TU Graz (Austria), Fraunhofer FIT (Germany), ICCS (Greece), ANNT (Bosnia and Herzegovina), UEFISCDI (Romania), CTAG (Spain), RE:LAB (Italy), RAPIV (Bulgaria), EIT Manufacturing (France) and UIIN (the Netherlands).

More information is available on the official INSIGHT project website.

The project is funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101217020.

Project news

INSIGHT launches a Call for Experts to support research careers in Europe

See all news about the INSIGHT project.