IBISS is the largest (14 departments and 5 supporting units) life sciences research institution in Serbia with 338 employees (more than 300 researchers; 86% women, 14% men). IBISS is actively involved in higher education in Serbia, with 65 PhD theses and 50 Master theses in the period 2018 – 2023. In the same period, IBISS has participated in 218 research projects: 25 international projects (HORIZON 2020, SCOPES, Erasmus, Humboldt Foundation, NATURA 2000), 21 bilateral projects, 18 COST Actions, 47 national projects and 3 programs funded by the Serbian Ministry of Science and Technological Development, 20 projects of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia and 84 applied and contract research projects. IBISS is among the top 10% in the field of research on metabolic diseases in Serbia. In the last 10 years, IBISS researchers progressed towards up-to-date technologies (EpiCrisp, single-cell gene expression) and modernized their laboratory facilities (mass spectrometry, confocal microscopy, proteomics, FACS). The four outstanding, complementary research groups at IBISS are united under the banner of the STRIMHealth project: Department of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology and Department of Plant Physiology. The STRIMHealth project also includes IBISS supporting units and formal bodies involved in management and administrative support.

The major gaps in IBISS scientific excellence are due to a lack of qualitative research support, including research project and IPR management, and insufficient knowledge transfer to industry and the non-academic sector, as reflected in a low number of EU-funded projects, a low number of collaboration agreements with industrial partners and patent applications, and insufficient funding. To reduce these disparities, networking activities with top-class leading partners and the exchange of best practices are among the key objectives of the STRIMHealth project.