Updates
20. July 2026.
European Researchers’ Night 2026
PROJECT NAME : HE ART - H UMANS, E COLOGY, A NIMALS, R ESEARCH- T OGETHER IN THE HEARTBEAT OF SCIENCE AND EDUCATION! PROJECT OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES HEART is a project implemented under the European Researchers' Night (ERN) and Researchers in Schools (RAS) programmes, under the Horizon Europe programme. It lasts for two years (2026–2027) and aims to bring science closer to citizens through interactive activities, increasing its accessibility, visibility and relevance in everyday life. The thematic focus of the project is on the relationships between humans, animals and the environment, with a particular focus on zoonoses and anthropozoonoses, climate change, food safety of animal origin, urbanization and biodiversity conservation. At the same time, the project promotes historical, cultural and social aspects of human-animal relationships. HEART is based on the World Health Organization's "One Health" approach, which involves an integrated view of human, animal and environmental health, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to new global challenges in the field of health and the environment, emphasizing the importance of urgent action to protect the environment, which also integrates cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation, because the preservation of ecosystems is key to preventing the occurrence of diseases and preserving the health of the planet in the long term. The primary objective of the project is to strengthen the connection between science and society by demystifying the role of researchers, encouraging curiosity and public trust in science, as well as increasing the accessibility, visibility and relevance of scientific research for everyday life, which would inspire young people to choose careers in STEAM fields, especially in medicine, veterinary medicine, biology and ecology, as well as the arts through practical and interactive work. At the same time, the project promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities for access to science, improving scientific literacy by involving pupils, students, children with special needs, but also marginalized groups, such as the blind and visually impaired or residents of rural areas, thereby strengthening the link between science and society and emphasizing the importance of European research in everyday life. Project motto: "One heart for science" METHODOLOGY The project combines awareness-raising campaigns, school activities, public events, laboratory visits, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, webinars, debates and hands-on experiments, with the aim of bringing science closer to citizens and encouraging active public participation. The activities are implemented through the European Researchers' Night (ERN) and Researchers in Schools (RAS) programs, in cooperation with researchers, teachers, NGOs, industry representatives (food, pet food and veterinary sectors) and local communities across Serbia. The project includes continuous cooperation with 15 cities, with the support of the Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN) and the network of science clubs, as well as regional cooperation with partners from Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby strengthening European and regional scientific cooperation and the visibility of research work. The central event is the European Researchers' Night, which takes place on the last Friday of September in Belgrade and Novi Sad, in museums, cultural centers and public spaces. The program includes experiments, presentations, quizzes and games, through which visitors of all ages explore topics from medicine, biology, chemistry, physics and environmental protection, with a special focus on the relationship between people, animals and the environment. All activities are inclusive and accessible to different social groups, including people with disabilities, with the aim of strengthening scientific literacy and long-term public engagement in science. The presented methodology represents the basic framework of the project, while additional activities will be developed during implementation, in accordance with the needs of the target groups and the objectives of the project. Learn more about the project! FINANCING HEART is funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska–Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, within the European Researchers' Night (ERN) and the Researchers in Schools (RAS) programme. RESEARCH TEAM Project coordinator: Dr. Diana Lupulović, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Scientific Advisor – INEP CONSORTIUM: Institute for Nuclear Energy Applications INEP, Belgrade – coordinator Institute for Medical Research, Institute of National Importance for the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade (IMI), Belgrade Faculty of Agriculture, Novi Sad Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments Petrovaradin (PZZSK), Novi Sad Center for the Promotion of Science (CPN), Belgrade
