FACULTY OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB

Their core work

The Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb is Croatia's leading natural sciences faculty, spanning physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, geology, and geography. In EU research, they contribute specialized expertise in particle and condensed matter physics, computational genomics, marine ecology, and mathematical graph theory. Their work ranges from fundamental research on quark-gluon plasma and high-temperature superconductors to applied biology such as organoid-based disease modeling and pathogen detection assays. They serve as both a training hub for early-career researchers (via MSCA networks) and a research partner in large-scale European physics and life sciences consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), PMF's portfolio was broadly distributed: marine ecology (MERCES), archaeogenetics (MendTheGap), inflammatory disease (SYSCID), condensed matter physics (TheONE), and fusion energy (EUROfusion). From 2019 onward, a clear concentration emerged in fundamental particle physics (STRONG-2020, OPSVIO) and molecular cell biology (ANEUPLOIDY), with the faculty also stepping into coordinator roles for the first time. The shift suggests a move from diffuse participation toward focused leadership in physics and quantitative life sciences.

PMF is consolidating around fundamental physics and molecular biology, increasingly taking PI-led and coordinator roles — expect them to bid as leads in these areas under Horizon Europe.

How they like to work

PMF overwhelmingly operates as a participant or third party (12 of 14 projects), joining large research consortia rather than leading them. Their two coordinator roles are both MSCA Individual Fellowships — smaller, PI-driven grants — suggesting they are building coordination capacity but have not yet led large multi-partner projects. With 330 unique partners across 38 countries, they are a highly connected node, comfortable working in diverse international teams and adaptable to different consortium cultures.

With 330 consortium partners across 38 countries, PMF has an exceptionally wide European network for a Croatian institution, touching nearly every EU member state and several associated countries. Their connections span physics collaborations (CERN-adjacent), life sciences networks, and environmental research consortia.

What sets them apart

PMF is Croatia's most research-active natural sciences faculty in H2020, offering a rare combination of fundamental physics, molecular biology, and mathematical expertise under one roof. For consortium builders, they provide access to a well-connected Croatian partner that can strengthen proposals through Widening Country eligibility while delivering genuine scientific depth. Their ERC grant (TheONE) and largest single award (ANEUPLOIDY at EUR 1.5M) prove they compete at the top tier of European research, not just as a geographic checkbox.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ANEUPLOIDY
  Their largest single grant (EUR 1.5M) and an ERC Synergy-level project on chromosome segregation using organoids — signals world-class cell biology capacity.
• TheONE
  An ERC Consolidator Grant on high-temperature superconductivity, confirming top-tier condensed matter physics expertise at the individual PI level.
• OPSVIO
  One of only two projects where PMF served as coordinator, focused on fundamental symmetry violations in positronium decay — shows growing leadership in particle physics.