Slovenia and France agree to further cooperation in science and innovation

The signing was an important symbolic gesture, as France was among the first countries to offer Slovenia cooperation in science and technology following its independence 30 years ago, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation said.

Papič hailed France as a steadfast ally and strategic partner for Slovenia and its researchers. "I'm pleased that we are extending and expanding this successful collaboration today. We've identified areas, mechanisms, and ways to further strengthen cooperation in higher education, science, and innovation," he stressed.

Ambassador Levy also underscored the significance of the 30th anniversary of the Proteus programme as a prime example of excellent scientific collaboration between the two countries.

"More than ever, Slovenia is a key partner for France, thanks to its outstanding research centres and researchers. While we celebrate past successes, we are also looking to future ones, as both countries are committed to continuing support for researchers within the European Research Area, particularly in the priority and strategic sectors defined in the agreement signed today, such as nuclear energy and low-carbon energy, space, and microelectronics," she said.

Examples of successful collaboration between Slovenian and French scientists were presented at a panel titled 30 Years of Cooperation between Slovenia and France in Research: The PHC Proteus Programme.

Current and former participants in the programme shared their experiences, which often grow from scientific cooperation into true friendships. Among them was Maja Ravnik, director of the National Institute of Biology (NIB).

"Cooperation at the level of two countries offers numerous opportunities. It not only provides researchers with funding for joint research, it also gives young people, in particular, the chance to lead smaller projects and build interpersonal connections," she said.

The Hubert Curien Partnerships (PHC) are bilateral programmes designed to foster scientific collaboration between France and foreign countries through a funding system that facilitates the mobility of young and experienced researchers between France and partner countries.

The PHC programme between Slovenia and France has been running since 1994, under the symbolic name PHC Proteus, after the olm, a cave-dwelling amphibian found in Slovenia,.

To be eligible for funding, a research project must be prepared by two research teams - one Slovenian and one French. All projects are evaluated and ranked based on excellence, with priority given to younger researchers.

From 2005 to 2023, 645 projects were co-funded, with 239 of these receiving financial support. Nine in ten Slovenian-French teams that participate in the PHC Proteus programme continue their collaboration after the programme ends.