Targeted research programmes

The Targeted Research Programme (CRP) is an instrument of inter-ministerial integration between government and research. It is designed to provide an expert basis for decision-making in areas of public interest. 

273

Funded CRP projects (2025) 

131

Research organisations involved (2025) 

EUR 4.6 million

Of ARIS funds allocated (2025)  

The Targeted Research Programme (CRP) was set up in 2001 as an instrument to bring together government, research organisations and society at large in strategic areas of development.

The programme supports the preparation of research evidence for the design, implementation and monitoring of development as well as other public policies. The development policies of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia are covered and defined by development planning documents and other government materials that have a significant impact on development.  

The CRP is one of the instruments for implementing the Slovenian Science and Innovation Strategy and the Slovenian Development Strategy.

The main purpose of the CRP is to provide a research basis for:  

  • preparing development policies,  
  • decision-making,  
  • implementing public interest measures,  
  • monitoring and evaluating development policies.  

The CRP provides targeted research support by:  

  • preparing long-term development planning documents and system solutions,  
  • monitoring and evaluating their implementation,  
  • adapting objectives and actions to changing domestic or international circumstances.  

The CRP Strategic Area is a broad thematic area of research that links several sectoral areas based on the key development priorities of the Republic of Slovenia.  

It is set in line with the Slovenian Science Research and Innovation Strategy (ZRISS), the Slovenian Development Strategy (SRS), and other development planning documents, and constitutes a common programmatic framework for the selection and implementation of projects.  

The CRP is implemented through individual focal points, which represent broad thematic areas of research. The focal points link several sectoral areas based on national development priorities.

The CRP is implemented through research projects, which are selected through public calls. The guidelines adopted for each call by the ministry responsible for science form the basis for preparing the call.  

The guidelines set out thematic priorities in the form of thematic strands and indicative funding for the implementation of projects.  

Project topics are proposed by CRP participants, including the ministry responsible for science, other ministries, ARIS and other public budget users.  

The research activities of the CRP are carried out in the public interest and are geared towards achieving national development objectives.  

The funding for the implementation of the CRP is provided by ARIS, provided that part of the funding is also provided by the CRP participants. The indicative share of ARIS funding shall normally not exceed 50% of the share of the total project value.

ARIS's share of funding may be:  

  • lower for predominantly sector-focused projects,  
  • 100% for projects under themes proposed by ARIS. 

Contractual funding methodsFor the implementation of projects selected for (co-)financing, ARIS and the other CRP participants shall enter into a contract with the contractor, each in accordance with its share of (co-)financing.

Funding normsCRP (co-)financing is carried out in accordance with the rules governing the allocation of state aid, grants, loans and other forms of (co-)financing. The (co-)financing of projects implementing the CRP shall be determined in accordance with the Regulation governing the financing of scientific research activities from the Budget of the Republic of Slovenia.

The following CRPs have been established to date:

  • CRP "Competitiveness of Slovenia 2001–2006"  

  • CRP "Knowledge for Security and Peace 2004–2010"  

  • CRP "Competitiveness of Slovenia 2006–2013"  

  • CRP "Securing Slovenia's Food for Tomorrow"  

  • CRP "CRP 2015"  

  • CRP "CRP 2016"  

  • CRP "CRP 2017"  

  • CRP "CRP 2019"  

  • CRP "CRP COVID-19"  

  • CRP "CRP 2021"  

  • CRP "CRP 2022"  

  • CRP "Our food, countryside and natural resources" in 2022  

  • CRP "CRP 2023"  

  • CRP "CRP 2024"  

  • CRP "Our food, countryside and natural resources" in 2024  

  • CRP "CRP 2025"  

The CRP Programme Board is the highest expert and advisory body for the Targeted Research Programme. It contributes to the formulation of guidelines for CRP public calls, considers proposals for priority themes and monitors the implementation of the programme.  

It operates under the rules of the Targeted Research Programmes (CRP). The members shall be appointed by a decision of the minister responsible for higher education, science and innovation.  

Programme Board by year

Contact

Questions about the Targeted Research Programmes should be addressed to:

Scientific Research Co-financing Division 

Ljiljana Lučić  
(01) 400 5913
Lili.Lucic@aris-rs.si

Simona Hervol
(01) 400 5932
Simona.Hervol@aris-rs.si

Key documents