UNIZG FOI continuously invests in teaching and scientific excellence, with participation in competitive research projects playing an important role. Building on extensive experience in applying for and implementing projects funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, UNIZG FOI continues to successfully develop its research capacities and strengthen its visibility within the scientific community.
The projects were approved under the Research Projects (IP-2026) and Installation Research Projects (UIP-2026) calls. They focus on current research topics, including privacy in digital education, the development of generic skills supported by artificial intelligence, and the role of artificial intelligence in entrepreneurial processes.
The IP-2026 call is aimed at funding scientific research that contributes to the creation of new knowledge, the strengthening of scientific excellence, and the development of research capacities. The UIP-2026 call is specifically focused on fostering the development of independent research careers, establishing new research groups, and strengthening the scientific autonomy of researchers.
Under the IP-2026 call, the research project "Usable privacy for students and educators – UP4Edu" (IP-2026-3743) has been approved, led by the Dean of UNIZG FOI, Full Prof. Renata Mekovec, Ph.D. The project addresses needs related to usable privacy within online learning services, where teaching and learning processes are supported by learning management systems (LMS). It seeks to bridge the gap between educators' theoretical knowledge and the practical application of privacy protection measures in online learning environments. The project has a three-year duration, with implementation beginning on November 12, 2026, and a total value of 109,825.00 euros.
Under the UIP-2026 call, two installation research projects have been approved:
"Generic skills development within the AI-supported teaching and learning ecosystem – GenSKAI" (UIP-2026-5184), led by Assoc. Prof. Katarina Pažur Aničić, Ph.D. The project addresses the lack of systematic research on the development of generic skills in higher education, particularly within the context of AI-supported teaching and learning. The research aims to develop a validated strategic framework for the development of generic skills in an AI-supported teaching and learning ecosystem. While designed for the digital services sector, it is also applicable to other disciplines. The project will span three years, starting on October 5, 2026, with a total value of 95,461.50 euros.
"Digitally Scaffolded Entrepreneurial Cognition: A Process Perspective – ICON" (UIP-2026-4349), led by Asst. Prof. Tamara Šmaguc, Ph.D. The primary objective of the project is to develop a process model of entrepreneurs' metacognitive regulation when interacting with generative artificial intelligence, as well as to identify and operationalize its key dimensions. The research also encompasses the development and validation of a measurement instrument, along with the identification of distinct entrepreneur profiles based on patterns of metacognitive regulation. The study will be conducted within two national contexts: Croatia and Norway. The project duration is three years, with implementation beginning on October 20, 2026, and has a total value of 150,355.60 euros.
The new projects will facilitate the further development of research in the fields of digital education, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship, while contributing to the strengthening of research competencies and interdisciplinary collaboration at the Faculty. It is particularly significant that two of the three approved projects are installation research projects. This creates additional opportunities for forming new research groups led by young researchers and supports the development of their independent scientific careers. In this way, UNIZG FOI continues to foster a stimulating environment for the development of innovative ideas, the enhancement of scientific excellence, and the long-term sustainability of research activities.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Croatian Science Foundation.
