The University of Ljubljana is the most successful institution in Slovenia as regards winning ERC projects. It has won three, i.e. two advanced grants and one starting grant in the total value of some €5 million.
Prof. Dr. Martin Čopič,
Vice-Rector for scientific research
In 2016, we further increased the number of research projects by placing emphasis on interdisciplinary projects, assuring quality in research activities, preserving the scope of projects won and by promoting the publication of research results on the relevant international portals.
An important achievement in 2016 was made by Prof. Dr. Tomaž Prosen from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, who won the first ERC Advanced Grant for financing a four-year OMNES (Open Many-body Non -Equilibrium Systems) research project, the results of which will help plan the quantum technology into the future, e.g. quantum memory or devices for processing quantum information.
The University of Ljubljana has 4,027 researchers registered with the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), which is two percent more than the previous year. They participate in 297 research groups, which places the University of Ljubljana at the very top of Slovenian research organisations.
In 2016, University researchers published 2,538 articles in journals with the Web of Science (WoS) citation index, which is 134 (six percent) more than in 2015.
In 2016, we participated in 174 research programmes, 42 applied projects, 168 basic projects, 84 targeted research programmes and 12 projects in international cooperation (ESF, ERC) financed by ARRS. Through the mentioned projects, we trained 412 young researchers and seven post-doctoral researchers with one post-doctoral project at the ARRS.
There were 225 foreign researchers and research associates participating in research projects at different time intervals, which is 54 (32 percent) more than the previous year. We sent 27 of the University’s own scientists and research associates abroad on exchange who participated in the educational and scientific research process.
In 2016, we obtained 112 new projects funded from European programmes, 11 of which feature the University of Ljubljana as the lead partner. The total number of European projects in which the University participated reached 428 (402 in 2015), whereby the University is the holder of activities in 31 of them, which shows a positive trend with respect to 2015. The total number of European projects increased by some six percent. The University was particularly active in research projects under the Horizon 2020 programme. In 2016, it participated in 54 projects (38 in 2015) with some €15 million of approved funds, in two such projects as the holder of activity.
The total number of European projects was increased by some six percent in 2016. The University was particularly active in research projects under the Horizon 2020 programme.
Mag. Staška Mrak Jamnik,
Assistant Secretary General at the University Office for European Projects
For the purposes of European research integration for new contents of the Horizon 2020 programme, the University entered the European networks GUILD, CELSA and LERU-CE7. Within the scope of the CELSA network, the University established a fund for financing joint projects of researchers within the network for the purposes of applying them to European programmes.
University of Ljubljana Members intensively cooperate in projects of the ERASMUS+K2 programme of the types Strategic Partnerships, Knowledge Alliances, Capacity Building, Jean Monnet and Sport. In 2016, they participated in 65 projects, 11 of which as the coordinator or holder of activity.
NUMBER OF EU PROJECTS
Number of ongoing projects by year
Research excellence will remain the basic priority of the University in the field of research. Only in this way can participation in national, European and international projects be enhanced. In addition to investments in training researchers and improving expert support, a new Action Plan for the implementation of the University HR Strategy is being prepared along with measures to strengthen career development of researchers and teachers.