Research and Innovation background
- Transport Development Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia until 2030: The core national transport framework addressing all modes (road, rail, maritime, air) and sustainable mobility, with priorities on multimodality, decarbonisation, demand management, safety, and intelligent transport systems; it defines the strategic context for transport‑related R&I.
- Updated National Energy and Climate Plan: With the final version submitted in 2024, this sets binding targets for emissions reduction in transport, modal shift, electrification, and alternative fuels, driving R&I needs in low‑emission vehicles, public transport, and rail freight.
- Resolution on the Slovenian Scientific Research and Innovation Strategy 2030 (ReZrIS30): National framework for R&I addressing societal challenges including climate neutrality and sustainable mobility, under which transport and logistics research programmes are funded.
- Slovenian Strategy for Sustainable Smart Specialisation (S5, 2021–2027): Identifies mobility, logistics, smart cities and communities as priority domains, providing the basis for transport‑related R&I funding under cohesion policy.
- National Sustainable Mobility Policy Framework: Promotes walking, cycling, public transport, shared mobility, and reduced reliance on private cars, forming the backbone for urban transport innovation and behavioural research.
- National ITS and CCAM Implementation Framework: Framework for deploying digital traffic and transport services, covering traffic data, freight logistics continuity, road safety, and cooperative, connected and automated mobility, with direct relevance for transport digitalisation R&I.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Infrastructure (MoI): Lead authority for transport policy, sustainable mobility, ITS deployment, and coordination of applied transport innovation and pilot projects.
- Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation: Responsible for national research policy and oversight of transport‑related research funding via the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
- Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS): The main national funding body for basic and applied research, administering competitive calls and programmes including sustainable mobility, transport systems, logistics, and digitalisation.
- Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia – Transformative Transport Planning Group: Applied research and policy‑support unit specialising in SUMPs, active mobility, traffic calming, and behavioural change, closely linked to national and municipal pilot programmes.
- University of Ljubljana – Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport: Dedicated academic centre for transport and logistics research covering rail, maritime transport, passenger mobility, intermodality, safety, and digital transport systems.
- University of Maribor – Faculty of Logistics, Laboratory for Sustainable Logistics and Mobility: Applied transport research unit focusing on sustainable urban mobility planning, freight logistics, electric mobility, traffic safety, and transport economics.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- ARIS Competitive Research Programmes and Projects: Core national instrument financing basic and applied research, including transport systems, mobility behaviour, logistics optimisation, and low‑carbon transport solutions.
- ARIS Applied R&I Calls (JR RRI series)
Targeted calls supporting collaborative and industry‑linked R&I projects, including mobility, transport technologies, and logistics innovation. - Strategic Research and Innovation Partnerships (SRIPs): Public‑private innovation networks under the smart specialisation framework, including mobility-related elements, which support pilot projects and applied research in mobility, logistics, and smart transport systems
EU Funding Channelled Through National Programmes:
- EU Cohesion Policy Programme Slovenia 2021–2027: Nationally managed EU funding supporting sustainable mobility, public transport innovation, rail and intermodal transport, and digitalisation aligned with S5 priorities.
- Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP): Supports green and digital transport transition, including public transport reform, digital ticketing, and clean mobility pilots, implemented through national calls.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)