Sir

Your News story “Croatian scientists call for openness over funding” (Nature 439, 7; 2006) brings attention to the funding of technology-development projects in Croatia. The petition discussed in this story was signed by only 26 scientists inside Croatia (the other signatories are foreign or students), and in my view it is frivolous.

The funding application made by Krešimir Pavelić of the Rudjer Bošković Institute, as senior investigator, and Dragan Primorac, who was then at Holy Spirit II Hospital, was among 28 applications received for this ‘nucleus’ programme. After an independent review including international experts, eight applications were recommended for funding. The technology council that reviewed the Pavelić–Primorac application was appointed by Gvozden Flego, the minister in the previous government. Primorac was the most junior of the 13 members of the council; as is customary and appropriate, he excused himself when his application was considered.

The recommendation for funding was forwarded to Flego and was approved before Primorac became a member of the new government. Primorac did not affect the decision about the funding of his own project. He stepped down from the project when Pavelić assumed the full directorship of it, and before any funds were released to the Rudjer Bošković Institute.

The technology council closely monitors the execution of projects and requires quarterly reports from project directors. This mechanism assures that the funds are spent in accordance with the project's mandate and in compliance with the highest financial and ethical standards. In addition, the directors must present a public defence at the conclusion of their projects.