The Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN) in Serbia is a public institution established by the Law on Scientific Research with the task to promote science and technology. The

Center, according to its mandate, cooperates with research and educational institutions (universities, research centers and schools) in Serbia and worldwide, works closely with the government ministries as well as the media and the private sector.

CPN’s mission is to bridge the gap between science and society by bringing together researchers, educators, policy makers, civil society organizations, business, the industry and general public in the process of research and innovation. Our ultimate goal is to influence and adapt general research agendas to reflect the needs of society and to address societal challenges engaging in the process all actors involved. Through numerous activities on regional and national level, the Center is promoting the idea of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Open Science (OS) by concrete actions. One of valuable examples is the effort to promote gender equality in research and technology, in actions such as motivating girls to study science or organising coding classes for them. The integration of society in the research processes is another major concern for CPN.

These activities include the organisation of debates on intriguing questions related to societal challenges, and the conducting of workshops and other events with an aim of bringing science closer to all citizens. By this we strive to increase the level of science literacy among the general public, especially those belonging to the younger population.

The Center regularly organises exhibitions, lectures, panel discussions and other events on different topics (mathematics, physics, robotics, archeology, psychology, genetics, biology, architecture etc.). Several major events organised by CPN are ‘M3 May Month of Mathematics’ (an annual event held since 2012), ‘Days of the Future: Robotics’ and the art+science series (an annual event held since 2016). A large number of trained facilitators and volunteers support these events as well.

Currently (April 2020), CPN has 20 permanent (full-time) and 10 additionally engaged employees for different projects and activities. CPN has strong competences in communications and PR activities, relations to media, skills in web design, multimedia material production and a vast experience in event and project management.

Additionally, CPN financially and logistically supports approx. 60 national projects each year, dealing with science promotion and popularisation of science. Proposals are submitted by various organisations and institutions across Serbia including schools, universities, NGOs and professional associations.