Ruđer Bošković Institute

Can your research or technology help solve real-world water and marine challenges? The EIT Water & Grundfos Foundation | PDJF Regional Hackathon 2026 is calling on researchers, innovators, startups, SMEs and multidisciplinary teams to develop practical solutions for a more sustainable and resilient blue economy. Organised by DIH Innovamare and the University of Zadar, the hackathon brings together scientific expertise, technology and entrepreneurship to tackle challenges including: 💧 Water quality, pollution monitoring and resource efficiency 🌊 Marine biodiversity, ocean pollution and coastal resilience ⚙️ Smart infrastructure, predictive maintenance and marine robotics 🚢 Sustainable shipping and smarter maritime operationsž Selected teams will have the opportunity to develop a Proof of Concept, work with experts and mentors, connect with potential partners and compete for €5,250 in cash prizes. Early-stage ideas are welcome. You don't need a finished product to apply! 📅 Application deadline: 15 October 2026 📍 Hackathon finale: 5 November 2026 | Zadar, Croatia 🏆 Total prize fund: €5,250 ✅ Participation is free

When does research management stop being a support function and become part of institutional strategy? That is one of the questions David Smith, Director General of the hashtag #RuđerBoškovicInstitute, will address at the INSPIRING ERA online event “Boost your institutional strategy: strengthening research management capacity in Europe” on 15 October. It matters because strong research management can strengthen an institution’s ability to secure competitive funding, build international partnerships, attract talent and support researchers throughout the research lifecycle. Dr Smith will join the panel “Leadership perspectives: strengthening research management as strategic capacity” with Natalia Dave Coll, PhD, Head of Strategy and Funding at Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), alongside representatives of La Caixa Foundation, the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and Xjenza Malta. Both RBI and CRG are members of the EU-LIFE Strategy Group, bringing a shared institutional perspective to the discussion. EU-LIFE actively contributes to the ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027, including European work on research careers and mobility, while co-sponsoring the ERA Action “Empowering R&I: A new era in research management.” The bigger question is not simply how to improve support services. It is how to build the institutional capacity behind excellent research and place research management more firmly within strategy, leadership and organizational development. 📅 15 October 2026, 10:00–12:00 CEST 💻 Online 👉 Find out more and register: https://lnkd.in/d8JKwmnX #ResearchManagement #ResearchLeadership

Public engagement with science works best when it does more than explain research, and when it creates a space for questions, observation and genuine curiosity. At the 15th Science Picnic, the Ruđer Bošković Institute brought part of its environmental research directly to young audiences through our #RBIFermentor programme. Children explored a deceptively simple question: how can living organisms help us understand pollution? Our researchers introduced the idea of bioindicators - organisms such as mussels, crustaceans and fish that can reveal biological changes associated with exposure to metals, organic chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals and other pollutants. Through samples, microscopy and hands-on discussion, complex concepts such as environmental monitoring, toxic effects and microplastic pollution became something participants could observe, question and connect with. For us, this is what meaningful public engagement looks like: not simplifying science until it loses substance, but finding ways to make scientific thinking accessible without losing the science itself. As Marko Košiček noted at the opening ceremony, the Institute has been a partner of the Science Picnic from the very beginning: “This is already our 15th Picnic. We have been partners from the start, across all its locations, and one thing has remained constant - the desire to share knowledge.” That continuity matters. A single event can spark curiosity; sustained collaboration between research institutions, schools, educators and science communicators can help turn that curiosity into a lasting relationship with science. And that is perhaps the most important outcome of public engagement. The point is not only to show what researchers know, but to invite people to see how knowledge is built, tested and shared.

Still planning to register? Good. Planning is important. Registering is better. EMBO Scientist Forum 2026 is coming to #Dubrovnik from 28 to 30 October, and registrations are filling up quickly! The deadline has been extended until 5 October, so there is still time to secure your spot before your calendar, inbox or lab work convinces you to “do it later”. The speaker line-up is genuinely one of the strongest reasons to be in the room: Iva Tolić opens the Forum as plenary speaker, followed by excellent invited speakers including Marc Schmidt-Supprian, Siniša Volarević, Monika Wolkers, Fran Supek, Kristian Vlahovicek, Ana Conesa, Lesley Lancaster, Alessio Mortelliti, Angela Falciatore, Vlatka Antolovic and Nina Gunde Cimerman. Together, they bring perspectives from immunology, computational genomics, genome integrity, climate adaptation, non-model organisms, cell biology, open scientific questions and the research paths behind the published results. There will also be workshops on the Responsible Use of #AI and #OpenScience, mental health, and a Women in Science panel with inspiring speakers ;) Poster sessions and coffee breaks will create space for the conversations that make scientific meetings valuable: presenting your work, hearing what colleagues across Europe are doing, finding new perspectives and learning more about opportunities within the EMBO network. The Croatian organising team, Jelena Godrijan, Damir Baranasic, Jelena Bujan and Marko Šestan, is looking forward to welcoming early-career researchers to Dubrovnik for three days of science, exchange and community. ⏳ Registration deadline: 5 October 2026 📍 Dubrovnik, 28–30 October 2026 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dVi8A796 See you in Dubrovnik! Interesting call for: EU-LIFE EU Biotech and Life Sciences Alliance Molecular Biology and Immunology Student Association (MIMSA) University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science Udruga studenata biologije - BIUS #LifeSciences #EarlyCareerResearchers #Dubrovnik #ScienceCommunity

Okoliš nam ostavlja tragove. Dobre i loše. Znanstvenici ih znaju pročitati ;) I ove godine Institut Ruđer Bošković sudjeluje na Znanstvenom pikniku, a s nama stiže i #Ruđerovfermentator. Kako znamo što se doista događa u okolišu kada je izložen čitavoj mješavini različitih zagađivala? Odgovore često pronalazimo tamo gdje ih možda ne bismo prvo tražili - u živim organizmima. Školjkaši, rakovi i ribe mogu djelovati kao bioindikatori i pokazati nam biološke promjene povezane s izloženošću metalima, organskim kemikalijama, mikroplastici, farmaceuticima i drugim zagađivalima. Upravo takva istraživanja pomažu nam bolje procijeniti stanje okoliša i oblikovati smjernice za njegovu zaštitu. Naša ekipa znanstvenika Davor Merkaš, Ivana Karamatić i Marko Košiček pokazat će dio istraživačkog procesa i približiti djeci i posjetiteljima kako znanstvenici iz tragova koje priroda ostavlja dolaze do podataka koji imaju širu vrijednost za okoliš i zdravlje ljudi. 📍 Znanstveni piknik 📅 1. listopada 2026. 🕙 10:00–17:00 Potražite Institut Ruđer Bošković – Ruđerov fermentator i upoznajte dio naše borbe s mikroplastikom i drugim zagađivalima. 👀 Program: https://lnkd.in/deShpYPd 📍 lokacija: https://lnkd.in/d3p2yq52 #InstitutRuđerBošković #IRB #ZnanstveniPiknik

Što članstvo Hrvatske u OECD-u može značiti za hrvatsku znanost i što se mora promijeniti da međunarodni standardi ne ostanu samo na papiru? Novo izdanje časopisa #Perspektive (rujan 2026.) posvećeno je temi Hrvatska na pragu OECD-a i donosi niz stručnih pogleda na promjene koje članstvo može otvoriti u hrvatskom gospodarstvu, institucijama i društvu. Među autorima je i ravnatelj Instituta Ruđer Bošković dr. sc. David Smith, koji u osvrtu „OECD i hrvatska znanost: Od formalne usklađenosti do učinkovitije znanosti“ analizira što OECD-ovi standardi mogu značiti za svakodnevno funkcioniranje hrvatskog istraživačkog sustava. Tri poruke posebno izdvajamo: 🔹 Autonomija mora ići zajedno s odgovornošću. Stabilnije višegodišnje financiranje i programski ugovori mogu istraživačkim institucijama omogućiti bolje strateško planiranje, ali uz jasne ciljeve, mjerljive rezultate i veću odgovornost za njihovo ostvarivanje. 🔹 Pravila moraju omogućavati rad znanosti a ne usporavati je. Specifičnosti istraživanja, od nabave visoko specijalizirane opreme i materijala do usluga potrebnih za provedbu projekata, zahtijevaju administrativni okvir koji razumije kako suvremena znanost funkcionira. Učinkovit sustav mora istodobno osigurati transparentnost i omogućiti istraživačima da reagiraju brzo. 🔹 Globalno konkurentna znanost treba globalne talente. Ako Hrvatska želi snažnije sudjelovati u međunarodnoj znanosti, mora moći privući i zadržati vrhunske istraživače. Brži i predvidljiviji administrativni postupci te dugoročan pristup međunarodnoj mobilnosti zato nisu sporedno pitanje, nego dio istraživačke konkurentnosti. Zajednička nit? OECD članstvo nije cilj samo po sebi. Vrijednost će imati tek ako međunarodne standarde uspijemo pretvoriti u bolje institucije i učinkovitije uvjete za istraživanje. Upravo je prijelaz s formalne usklađenosti na konkretne, mjerljive promjene jedna od središnjih tema ovog broja Perspektiva. Zahvaljujemo doc. dr. sc. Darko Horvatin, PhD, glavnom uredniku časopisa Perspektive, te Hrvatsko društvo za korporativno upravljanje i menadžment (CCGM) na pozivu i prilici da perspektivu hrvatske znanosti uključe u ovu važnu raspravu o sljedećoj fazi razvoja Hrvatske. 📖 Cijelo izdanje vrijedi pročitati, jer pitanje ulaska u OECD u konačnici nije samo pitanje članstva, nego pitanje što ćemo s tom prilikom napraviti. Rujansko izdanje možete preuzeti tu: https://lnkd.in/dAnAMP77

🌿 Otvorene su prijave za 6. Znanstvenu školu o okolišu! Kako povezati različite znanstvene pristupe i bolje razumjeti okoliš? Pridružite nam se od 7. do 9. prosinca 2026. na Institutu Ruđer Bošković u Zagrebu. Škola okuplja doktorande, poslijedoktorande i mlade istraživače iz različitih područja prirodnih znanosti. Očekuju vas tri dana predavanja, rasprava i razmjene iskustava, uz priliku za predstavljanje vlastitog rada i stvaranje novih suradnji. 🔹 Tri dana. Tri teme. Jedan okoliš. • GIS i daljinska istraživanja • Građanska znanost • Istraživanje okoliša S nama su predavači: Vlatka Filipović, Mirta Smodlaka Tanković i Neven Cukrov s Instituta Ruđer Bošković Dunja Šamec — Sveučilište Sjever / University North, Odjel za prehrambenu tehnologiju Tomislav Gomerčić i Magda Sindičić — University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Veterinarski fakultet Ante Šiljeg — Sveučilište u Zadru, Odjel za geografiju   🎤 Predstavite svoje istraživanje usmenim izlaganjem (15 minuta) ili posterom, ili nam se pridružite bez izlaganja. • Sudjelovanje je besplatno • Prijave: 25. rujna – 1. prosinca 2026. • Broj mjesta je ograničen 👉 Program i prijave: https://znanskola.com.hr/ Podijelite poziv s kolegama i pridružite nam se u povezivanju znanja, ideja i ljudi koji istražuju okoliš!

From a great idea to real-world healthcare applications, what can be achieved in three years? 💡 Yesterday, we held the AI4Health.Cro - European Digital Innovation Hub Final Conference at Sveučilište Algebra Bernays, bringing together the people who have spent the past three years working to advance digital healthcare in Croatia. As a European Digital Innovation Hub coordinated by the Ruđer Bošković Institute, AI4Health.Cro has delivered more than 2,000 digital transformation services, supported over 60 organisations and carried out around 100 test-before-invest activities. In collaboration with the Croatian Medical Chamber, 136 physicians participated in training programmes covering data, digital systems and artificial intelligence. But the clearest evidence of what we have achieved came from our users themselves. At the AI4Health.Cro Showroom, six teams demonstrated their solutions live, from AI applications in medical diagnostics to digital psychological support, health data security and innovative skincare technologies. Throughout the conference, we also discussed the challenges ahead, including access to health data, clinical validation, regulation, funding and the development of digital skills among healthcare professionals. We are particularly pleased that this conference does not mark the end of our journey, With renewed European Union funding, AI4Health.Cro will continue its work for another three years. Thank you to all our users, partners and collaborators who have been part of this first phase, and to everyone who joined us yesterday.

The Mediterranean is warming faster and the signal now reaches deep below the surface. 🌊 A new study by Ruđer Bošković Institute scientists Elena Terzić and Ivica Vilibic, published in American Geophysical Union Geophysical Research Letters, brings together 75 years of observations from 1950 to 2025 to examine long-term changes in Mediterranean temperature, salinity and density. The results show a clear acceleration of warming and salinification across the basin. In recent years, temperatures in the upper ~100 metres were around 2°C above the average of the second half of the 20th century, while measurable warming is also present between 1,000 and 2,000 metres. The Adriatic–Ionian system stands out. In the southern Adriatic, accelerated warming is detectable at depths of around 1,000 metres, together with changes in salinity. This matters because the Adriatic is one of the Mediterranean regions where dense water forms and sinks, transferring surface properties into deeper layers and contributing to circulation across the eastern Mediterranean. Deep waters change slowly. Detecting these signals far below the surface therefore provides evidence of persistent, basin-scale changes rather than short-lived surface anomalies. The study combines historical ship-based observations with modern autonomous Argo float measurements, providing a long-term view of how the Mediterranean is responding to a changing climate. Link to article - https://lnkd.in/eGk-K6r2

𝗜𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱, 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱? At the Ruđer Bošković Institute, we've stayed true to the craft as we don't just communicate science, we ferment it. How? By seeding ideas with questions, mixing disciplines like cultures, and keeping a steady climate with data, review, and iteration. Then we wait. The noise falls away, the signal clears, and a rough hunch matures into something you can trust and act on. "In a constantly changing world, the way we communicate must adapt. At the Ruđer Bošković Institute, we don’t just talk about science; we ferment it. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝘂đ𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 – 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. And we are not doing this alone – we co-create it with schools, NGOs, and companies,” says Dr Marko Košiček, RBI's science communication coordinator. From these bubbling ideas, new projects emerge. #SciHill is one of them. Four years in fermentation, it became the open day of science institutions at Zagreb's science hill, bringing together partnering scientific institutions to open their doors, labs, and minds to the public. Not rushed. Not packaged. Grown. Slowly crafted by researchers, communicators, and collaborators who believe transformation takes time, passion, and process. That's the Ruđer Bošković Institute approach. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗼 𝗞𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗸, Science Communication Coordinator at #RBI in #Zagreb 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗨-𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲'𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 #EngagingSociety   #WeAreEULIFE