The introductory speech was given by the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia prof. dr. sc. Blaženka Divjak, and was followed by welcome speeches of the representatives of the Central Finance and Contracting Agency for European Union Programs and Projects and of the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds. At the end of the ceremony the Director of the Institute of Physics dr.sc. Marko Kralj gave a brief presentation of the Project itself.

The Grant was awarded on November the 30^th 2017, and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRR). The total amount of non-refundable funds under this Grant is 121.297.812,38 HRK.

These resources will enable the Institute of Physics to achieve the ultimate goal of the Project, which is to upgrade the existing and develop the new scientific research infrastructure based on the advanced laser techniques.