In an effort to establish excellent research groups and encourage excellent research by developing potential for innovation and technology transfer, the second stage of evaluation of research quality was carried out in Croatia in 2015 resulting in the establishment of six new Scientific Centres of Excellence:

• The Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding;
• The Centre of Excellence for Marine Bioprospecting, BioProCro;
• The Centre of Excellence for Theory of Quantum and Complex Systems and Representation Theory of Lie Algebras;

• • Research unit: Research in Theory of Quantum and Complex Systems – QuantiX,
  • Research unit: Research in Number Theory and Related Structures.
1. The Centre for Personalised Health Care;
   • • Research unit: Research in Glycoscience,
     • Research unit: Research in Production and Medical Research on Functional Food.
2. The Centre of Excellence in Basic, Clinical and Translational Neuroscience;
3. The Centre of Excellence in Data Science and Cooperative Systems;

• • Research unit: Research in Data Science,
  • Research unit: Research in Advanced Cooperative and Cognitive Systems (ACROSS).

At the moment there are 13 research groups in all areas of research in Croatia, with a total of around 300 researchers from various institutions who wish to pursue high-quality research. In addition to the funds provided in the state budget, the centers have thus been provided with access to higher amounts of EU funds for research and development.

In line with the 2014/2015 Re-accreditation Plan, seven higher education institutions went through evaluation in autumn 2015.

The College of Inspection and Personnel Management in Split was visited on 2–3 November, while DIU Libertas International University in Zagreb was visited on 9–10 November. The Agency evaluated the College of International Relations and Diplomacy Dag Hammarskjöld in Zagreb on 17–18 November 2015. University of Split units - the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Law, and TV-Academy – College of Multimedia and Communication, also in Split, were re-accredited on 23– 27 November 2015, as well as University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek.

In November 2015 ASHE issued quality assurance system certificates to two higher education institutions, in accordance with the 2014 External Audit Plan. ASHE issued certificates to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FMENA), University of Zagreb and the Polytechnic of Zagreb (PZ). Following the external audit procedure, the quality assurance systems of both higher education institutions were assessed as developed and conditions were met for awarding certificates which are valid for a five-year period. ASHE certificate was awarded to the Polytechnic of Zagreb at the session of the Polytechnic of Zagreb held on 25 November 2015, while the certificate to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, was awarded at the session of the Faculty Council held on 27 November 2015.

The reaccreditation procedure includes a check of compliance with minimal legal conditions and an independent review based on quality criteria. The aim of the Self-Evaluation Report (SER) is to demonstrate compliance with the listed conditions and present the (high) quality of the doctoral programme in the best possible manner. The higher education institution(s) delivering the programme – usually the department/people in charge of the programme – draft the SER making sure that:

1. A separate SER is written for each doctoral programme.
2. SER follows the criteria for assessing quality (ASHE has created a draft template which can be used and adapted as necessary).
3. The SER should be submitted with the following attachments: Tables 1 and 2 filled in, a sample of research thesis proposals, theses and candidates’ individual plans, and the strategic programme(s) of scientific research (research strategy of the HEI(s)). Other relevant documents and evidence (e.g. ordinances/ quality assurance documents) can also be attached.
4. The SER text (without attachments) should not exceed 50 pages.
5. Before submitting the SER, HEI(s) need to make sure that relevant databases – including MOZVAG and websites with bibliographic data (CROSBI or similar) – contain accurate and up-to-date information.