National science awards are given to researchers for outstanding achievements, for new scientific insights and for achievements in the application of research results.
Expressing gratitude for the awards, which were presented at a ceremony in the parliament, Sverko warned that budget allocations for science were very low, which put Croatia at the bottom of the relevant EU ranking, as well as that the current system of selection and promotion in the academic community favoured mediocrity.
"Researchers, too, are to blame for this situation because we are preoccupied with research and do not actually care enough for the social circumstances in which we work," said Sverko.