Agriculture and food security are one of the main focal points of EU policies, since,in the next 20 years, world food production must increase by 50%, while 80% of that increase must come from intensification (Source: FAO). ANTARES aims to evolve BioSense Centre at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, into a European Centre of Excellence (CoE) for advanced technologies in sustainable agriculture and food security. This endeavor is supported by the participation of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MESTD), the national research authority who will provide both institutional and legislative expertise as well as co-financing of 14 mil Euro. The participation of DLO, the Netherlands, the leading European research institute for applied and market-driven research in agriculture and food security, currently involved in 250 FP7 projects, will secure that the know-how and experience of highest European standards are transplanted to Serbia. ANTARES envisages a long-term and mutually beneficial strategic cooperation between DLO and the new CoE, by exploiting the competitive advantages of both organizations. The project relies on the principles of continuity (by capitalizing on the achievements of BioSense), evolution (by identifying the gaps and implementing actions to address them), and consensus (by incorporating the needs and expectations of stakeholders in the vision and strategy of the new CoE), to engage the region in a path of innovative growth. ANTARES is perfectly aligned with the regional innovation priorities as presented in the Smart Specialization Strategy of Vojvodina, while its impact in innovation, economic development, and sustainability is expected to spread at a much broader national and European level.

Agriculture is facing enormous challenges today. Not only does it have to provide enough safe and healthy food for the ever-increasing Earth’s population, it is also expected to offer alternatives to fossil fuels and to protect the non-renewable resources such as soil, water and energy inputs. ANTARES aims to evolve BioSense Institute from Serbia into a European Centre of Excellence (CoE) for advanced technologies in sustainable agriculture, by implementing a detailed business plan prepared during ANTARES Phase 1. This endeavor is supported by the participation of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development who will provide both institutional and legislative support, as well as by a strong commitment of the Republic of Serbia to provide co-financing of 14 mil . The participation of DLO from the Netherlands, the leading European institute for applied and market-driven research in the agrifood sector will secure that the know-how and experience of the highest European standards are transplanted to Serbia. ANTARES builds upon the complementary expertise of BioSense and DLO: the synergetic combination of ICT and agricultural knowledge will strengthen the competitive positions of both institutions and provide answers to challenges that go far beyond borders of any single country. ANTARES envisages a long-term strategic cooperation between DLO and the new CoE, relies on a well-developed joint strategic research agenda and on a documented financial analysis that proves the long-term sustainability and growth of the new CoE beyond Teaming funding. CoE’s mission and vision are aligned with needs of European and Serbian society and focus on science for impact and economic growth. ANTARES is a smart investment, as it simultaneously helps an associated country to bridge the gaps with Europe through research and innovation, while at the same time contributes to safe and adequate food for future generations of Europeans.

Open science provides an effective framework for the enhancement of research transparency, dissemination, collaborations, and accountability. Serbian academic community have recognized the importance and advantages of open science principles which is manifested through the numerous initiatives undertaken by the government bodies, faculties, libraries, NGOs, and journal publishers. However, in the absence of coordination, compromise on standards, and a solid legislative support, these initiatives seem isolated and ineffective from the global point of view. The main aim of the Project is to foster, standardize, and coordinate the implementation of open science principles at Serbian universities. The Project objective is threefold: 1. to advance national and institutional guidelines, policies, and incentives related to the open science, 2. to establish digital repositories at all Serbian universities and to foster their infrastructural development and interoperability, and 3. to build institutional and individual capacities in order to ensure the sustainable implementation of open science principles and enhance the social inclusiveness and accountability of publicly-funded research.

MILETUS addresses capacity building in the field of virtual, real and blended mobility runs (MR) at Serbian and TURIL (Territory of the Ukraine as recognized by international law) higher education institutions (HEI). By creating the needed governance on a ministerial and institutional level, MILETUS achieves the improvement of Master graduates’ employability chances in companies working internationally and the quality enhancement of PhD students’ research, and thus their contribution to high quality research in the partner countries.To build students mobility capacity, governance of ministries responsible for HE will be improved and functions of existing International Relations Offices at HEIs will be extended or founded newly. Teaching staff will be methodologically prepared for supervision of MR and necessary learning materials will be prepared. Focus on students with disabilities will open up mobility learning experiences to a wider range of students, primarily as a result of tapping into potential of virtual mobility.These virtual MRs for Master students will include tasks that enable mobilizing and developing skills that allow for working in international geographically dispersed teams, under consideration of competences expected of graduates by employers. Deployment of mobility programs addresses the need for broadening collaboration research circle for PhD students ultimately improving the quality of their research.The main outcomes of the project are:• improved governance of students’ mobility programs on a ministerial and institutional levels• framework for virtual, real and blended MRs to guide future implementation also for nonparticipating HEIs• enhanced teaching methodologies during MRs• solid learning basis for students participating in MRs• eased access to mobility programs for students with disabilities• enhanced employability chances for graduates by developing international skills• and broader research collaboration circle for PhD student