OUTCOMES OF INVESTMENTS IN SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT – CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

The purpose of this article is to review the inputs (investments) and the results of the policy of encouraging the development of science and research in Serbia and to compare these aspects with trends in Europe (i.e., in the EU-28) and the rest of the world. Based on the analysis of data related to this topic, adopted strategic documents, implemented activities, and achieved results, it was concluded that in the field of development of science and research in the Republic of Serbia during the last decade, there has been gradual progress, but also a permanent lag concerning the average observed values in EU. When it comes to global trends and tendencies in modern science and research activities, it is noticeable that they are recognized in the Republic of Serbia, which is manifested in the general goals and directions of activities written down in laws and strategic documents. However, in the field of realization of planned activities and even more, in terms of achieving goals, there are numerous challenges, the solution of which should be worked on in the future. Keywords: public policy, science, research, Republic of Serbia, budget