The announcement was made during an information event attended by Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, university rectors, and leaders of national and international research programmes.

Kumbaro said the state budget fund of 7 million euros aims to strengthen scientific research, noting that the focus is not only on funding levels but also on ensuring the research ecosystem can effectively absorb resources and deliver tangible results.

She added that while much scientific research produces data, the value depends on whether communication bridges exist between policymakers and researchers. “Universities must support their researchers,” she said, highlighting the event’s role in promoting funding opportunities from AKKShI and the Ministry of Education.

Rector of the University of Medicine, Tirana, Xheladin Draçini, praised the calls as a key instrument for the sustainable development of higher education and the advancement of scientific knowledge. He highlighted a recently funded project to upgrade laboratory infrastructure at the university’s Faculty of Pharmacy, which he said represents an important step toward modernising university laboratories, expanding research capacities, and improving conditions for contemporary pharmaceutical research.

Draçini added that the project strengthens material research capacity and opens new opportunities for inter-institutional and international collaboration, helping bring the university closer to European research and innovation standards.

AKKShI said the open calls cover research and development projects, technology and innovation initiatives, and research infrastructure projects, giving universities, research units, and individual researchers the opportunity to plan and implement future projects under national and international programmes.

/k.s/a.f/r.e/u.sh/