We are pleased to invite you to the 30th International Scientific and Professional Conference INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES 2026.
📌 Important notice for authors: Upon authors’ request, the paper submission deadline has been extended to January 25, 2026.
🔹 Accepted papers may be presented in oral or poster sessions 🔹 Online presentations via ZOOM are also available
We invite the academic community, industry professionals, and the wider public to follow the Conference activities online, via videoconferencing links available on the official Conference website.
The FFplus Innovation Studies Open Call is now open, offering European SMEs and start-ups a focused opportunity to develop and validate generative AI (GenAI) solutions using large-scale European supercomputing resources. The call opens on 3 February 2026 and targets early-stage, high-impact projects with a clear proof-of-concept orientation.
Click on image to open the link for application (image source: FFplus)
Coordinated by HLRS (High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart), FFplus supports innovation at the intersection of AI and HPC, enabling companies to overcome computational barriers and scale beyond conventional cloud or on-premise infrastructures.
Key facts
Funding: up to €300,000 per project
Deadline:25 February 2026 (or earlier if 250 proposals are submitted)
Eligible applicants: European SMEs and start-ups
Scope and impact
The call supports feasibility studies and PoCs for GenAI use cases such as:
Training or fine-tuning large language and multimodal models
Generative design, simulation, and optimization workflows
AI-driven data synthesis and advanced analytics across multiple sectors
Selected projects gain access to EuroHPC-class supercomputers, expert technical support, and increased visibility within the European innovation ecosystem. National Competence Centres within the EuroCC play a key role in supporting applicants.
Support from NCC Montenegro
The NCC Montenegro is available to support SMEs and start-ups from Montenegro during the proposal preparation phase, including:
Clarification of call scope and eligibility
Guidance on aligning use cases with HPC and GenAI requirements
Initial technical advice on suitable architectures and workloads
As part of the ongoing activities of the National Competence Centre for High-Performance Computing and Artificial Intelligence in Montenegro (HPC NCC Montenegro), a new undergraduate course entitled Artificial Intelligence has been successfully implemented during the current academic year. The course was delivered to students of the Faculty for Information Systems and Technologies (FIST) as well as the Faculty of Applied Sciences – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science programme, further strengthening the AI and HPC components within undergraduate curricula.
AI Education Bridging Academia and Industry
The course was designed as an introductory yet comprehensive overview of fundamental concepts, methods, and applications of artificial intelligence, aiming to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation alongside essential practical skills. The focus was placed on machine learning, data analysis and processing, decision-making algorithms, and the role of AI in digital transformation and real-world problem solving. In addition, ethical challenges and societal implications of AI technologies were explicitly addressed. The course content and learning outcomes were aligned with contemporary academic and industry standards, including hands-on use of tools recommended by the industry experts.
A distinctive feature of the course was its close collaboration with industry partners, fully aligned with the objectives of the EuroCC-2 and EuroCC4SEE projects, which promote strong links between academia, industry, and the HPC ecosystem. Representatives from Alicorn, BixBit, Inovativa, and DigitalSmart actively participated in the course delivery, contributing through guest lectures and weekly discussions with students. This collaboration allowed students to gain first-hand insights into how AI and HPC technologies are applied in real industrial environments.
Through direct interaction with industry professionals, students discussed concrete use cases of artificial intelligence in areas such as data-driven decision making, process automation, intelligent systems development, and scalable AI solutions supported by HPC infrastructures. These exchanges significantly enriched the learning experience, fostering critical thinking, practical understanding of market needs, and awareness of real-world constraints and opportunities.
The implementation of the Artificial Intelligence course represents a concrete example of how EuroCC initiatives contribute to the systematic enhancement of undergraduate curricula with AI and HPC content, while simultaneously strengthening cooperation with industry. In this way, students are not only equipped with fundamental technical knowledge but are also introduced to the broader European HPC and AI ecosystem, gaining a clear perspective on the role of AI and high-performance computing in modern research, innovation, and industry.
On 13–14 December, NCC Montenegro hosted the EuroCC4SEE Forum dedicated to business innovation supported by High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The event brought together representatives from academia, industry, the public sector, and the startup ecosystem, with the aim of strengthening national capacities and supporting Montenegro’s digital transformation.
Welcome note from NCC Montenegro – prof. Bozo KrstajicWe organized networking activities during the breaks
During the two-day program, participants explored practical applications of HPC and AI through Proof-of-Concept demonstrations in the fields of energy, agriculture, health, and mobility, alongside discussions on innovation policies, MLOps approaches, skills development, and business–academia collaboration.
Discussions were focused on AI/HPC driven innovation in business and PoC demonstratorsPoC presentations were based on acamia-industry collaboration
The forum also highlighted the importance of regional and European cooperation, EU funding opportunities, and future activities within the EuroCC4SEE network, contributing to the strengthening of Montenegro’s position within the regional HPC/AI ecosystem. A proceedings booklet with brief elaborations of all covered topics will be made available on the project website.
NCC Monetenegro will host the EuroCC4SEE Forum on HPC/AI-Enabled Business Innovation & PoC Demonstrations on 13–14 December, bringing together representatives from academia, industry, government, and the startup community. The two-day event will highlight how High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can accelerate innovation, strengthen national capacities, and support Montenegro’s digital transformation.
Day 1 will focus on business innovation and policy perspectives, featuring opening remarks from national institutions, a keynote on the role of HPC and AI in economic growth, and a high-level panel on building Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem. The program will also include technical sessions, with PoC demonstrations developed through EuroCC4SEE in sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, and mobility, followed by a session on MLOpsapproaches moderated by the NCC Montenegro team. A networking and poster exhibition will showcase student work and local startup projects.
Day 2 will shift toward skills, education, and collaboration. Participants will explore national competence development in HPC/AI, talent pipeline building, and business–academia cooperation models through panels and an interactive workshop. The event will conclude with an overview of EU funding opportunities (Horizon Europe, EuroHPC JU, Digital Europe Programme) and a roadmap for further collaboration within the EuroCC4SEE network.
The forum aims to strengthen Montenegro’s position in the regional HPC/AI landscape and foster partnerships that empower innovation and research excellence.
The Second National AI Conference “AI DIREKTNO: Montenegro in the Time of AI Challenges” was held on 3 December 2025 at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, gathering leading representatives from government, academia, health institutions, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. The event was organized by the Association of Managers of Montenegro (AMM), the AMM Academy for Leadership, Management and Corporate Governance, and the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro.
NCC Montenegro took an active role throughout the conference, contributing to discussions on strengthening Montenegro’s AI ecosystem, responsible adoption of advanced technologies, and the importance of high-performance computing (HPC) for research, innovation, and industry. NCC-affiliated representatives participated in panel discussions focused on the practical impact of AI, digital transformation, and new opportunities emerging across sectors.
One of the key contributions came during the panel “A New Era of Business – How AI Is Changing the Rules of the Game”, where Prof. Dr. Tomo Popović (University of Donja Gorica & NCC Montenegro) highlighted real-world AI adoption, the growing need for scalable HPC resources, and the importance of building multidisciplinary teams capable of delivering trustworthy AI solutions. The discussion also featured insights from industry leaders, some of which are already using EuroHPC Ju access, on emerging business models and AI-driven innovation. Agenda avaliable at [link].
The panel included NCC team members and representatives from companies already using EuroHPC resources
Another important contribution from the NCC community was made earlier in the day by Mr. Milutin Pavićević, assistant at UDG and founder of the startup Zuno, who participated in the panel “Application of AI in Education, Healthcare, and Other Sectors.” He emphasized practical challenges startups face in implementing AI-driven products, and the value of national digital infrastructure and research institutions in supporting early innovation.
The other panel focused on AI and Healthcare sector
The conference also included an open talk with the Prime Minister, sector-specific panels on banking, healthcare, and education, and strategic reflections from Montenegro’s growing AI and tech community. NCC Montenegro’s participation reinforces its mission to support the adoption of AI and HPC technologies, strengthen skills development, and build an innovation ecosystem aligned with European standards and capabilities.
The conference also included an open talk with the Prime Minister
At the end of November 2025, representatives of NCC Montenegro visited the Verlab Institute and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo for a two-day working meeting held within the EuroCC4SEE framework. The visit focused on strengthening regional cooperation, supporting twinning and mentoring activities, and expanding joint engagement with academia and industry. The meetings brought together both NCC teams as well as IT industry stakeholders, underscoring the growing importance of SMEs in HPC and AI adoption across the Western Balkans.
Day 1: Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Alignment
The first day centred on aligning the two NCCs on upcoming activities and mapping joint priorities for the next three months. The discussions focused on student engagement, training coordination, and preparation of several regional events.
Continuation of NCC collaboration between NCC Montenegro and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina
Key outcomes included:
NCC BiH participation in the NCC Montenegro Conference (13 December 2025), showcasing HPC/AI proof-of-concepts and project activities.
Joint planning of workshops and PoC support for companies, combining experiences from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and building on ongoing collaborations with NCC Poland and NCC Latvia.
Agreement to co-organise major events in early 2026, including the AI in Medicine event in Montenegro and the Žabljak IT Conference.
Coordination on joint scientific publications, using existing datasets and aligning research topics across the two centres.
These discussions reaffirmed the value of EuroCC4SEE’s twinning and mentoring model, enabling both NCCs to share practices, strengthen their training pipelines, and streamline outreach to researchers and SMEs.
Both UDG and UCG representatives participated in the meetings with NCC BiH team
Day 2: Knowledge Exchange, SME Engagement, and Practical Collaboration
The second day focused on operational collaboration, with a workshop dedicated to industry outreach and experience exchange related to HPC and AI services. NCC Montenegro shared its methodology for working with companies, including how to communicate EuroHPC JU opportunities and guide SMEs through resource applications.
Day 2 included exchange of experiences, SME engagement, EuroHPC access to resources
A local IT company that already uses NCC BiH resources joined the discussion. Their participation added a practical industry perspective and resulted in commitments to:
take part in the AI in Medicine event in Montenegro,
join the Žabljak IT Conference,
explore deeper involvement in EuroHPC-supported pilot activities.
The workshop also enabled both NCCs to discuss effective utilisation of local HPC clusters, exchange good practices on scaling AI workloads, and review success factors for EuroHPC JU applications based on real user cases.
We discusssed joint PoC activities in medical and healthcare domains
Finally, the partners agreed to jointly explore Horizon Europe funding opportunities related to HPC scalability, applied AI, and capacity building—further extending the collaboration beyond EuroCC4SEE.
A Visit That Strengthened Regional Ties
The meetings in Sarajevo were assessed as highly productive, resulting in clear commitments, strengthened operational cooperation, and a shared plan for the months ahead. By combining training coordination, SME engagement, research collaboration, and strategic event planning, NCC Montenegro and NCC Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to build a more connected and capable regional HPC and AI ecosystem—fully aligned with the mission of EuroCC4SEE.
