National programmes and projects  

National research programmes and projects are implemented within the framework of the national research and development programme or within the framework of the Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011 -2020 (Ris11-20) Professional, development, and executive tasks in connection with the implementation of the adopted strategy are performed by the Slovenian Research Agency. (Javna agencija za raziskovalno dejavnost Republike Slovenije, ARRS) The University of Ljubljana implements research and development work within 276 research groups.

The University of Ljubljana participates in national research programmes and projects co-financed by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), various ministries of the Republic of Slovenia (e.g. Ministry of Education, science and sport, Ministry of Culture, etc.) and the City of Ljubljana (Mestna očina Ljubljana, MOL).

Research programmes

Research programmes represent public service in the field of research, This is an area of research that is expected to be up-to-date and useful over a longer period of time and for which there  exists a national interest in the national R&D programme identified as the long-term research of the project group in this field. National Research Program is an integral part of the national development strategy and government policies with development objectives and impacts, whose common purpose is to promote the development of an economically and socially prosperous society. (Source ARRS) Within the University of Ljubljana, there are 168 research programmes running independently or in partnership.

Research projects
At the national level research is carried out through  basic, applied and postdoctoral projects co-financed by the Slovenian Research Agency. Altogether 403 projects are running within the faculties of the University of Ljubljana. 
 
The basic project represents an original experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge about the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts.

The applied project represents original research undertaken to acquire new knowledge directed primarily towards a practical aim or objective.

Basic and applied projects led by younger doctors (maximum of 10 years after the doctoral thesis defense) represent a special category. The latter receive special attention in the public call for co-financing projects.
 
The postdoctoral project represents a basic or applied project carried out by an individual researcher – a postdoctoral researcher. The postdoctoral researcher is a researcher who has obtained his title of doctor within the last 3 years. (Source: ARRS)

 
Target research programmes

Target research programme (Ciljni raziskovalni program, CRP) is a form of interdepartmental links with planning and executing network R&D projects in different areas of national interest. CRP is a form and method of implementation of the Slovenian Development Strategy and Research and Innovation Strategy of Slovenia 2011 – 2020. The basic purpose of the programme is to form research bases for decision making in the preparation, adoption, and implementation of development policies of public interest and to monitor and control their implementation. (Source: ARRS) Currently, the faculties of the University of Ljubljana participate in 54 CRPs.