• The development of higher education; the implementation of national strategies and higher education programmes; the provision of funding and facilities for higher education institutions and monitoring their activities; the preparation of reports on the activities and evaluation of higher education institutions and study programmes, and their recommendation for approval; the subsidization of study costs; the improvement of the student standard; monitoring success rates of study programmes and other higher education processes; administering the implementation of the Croatian Qualifications Framework; administering the Registry of Higher Education Institutions and the Registry of Study Programmes; managing databases on higher education; fostering lifelong learning and higher education for adults; the administrative supervision of higher education institutions.
• The development of the science, technology and innovation system; the development of research and other institutions; the application of scientific achievements in certain fields; the harmonization of funding programmes with research projects; development and monitoring of intellectual property management policy by means of harmonizing national legislation on intellectual property rights with the acquis communautaire, and the development of strategic measures for improving the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in order to foster technology transfer from research organizations to the business sector and society; fostering continuous technological development in the Republic of Croatia; administering the Registry of Researchers and Research Organizations; monitoring and establishing scientific, professional and technological cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations according to international agreements; enhancing the mobility of Croatian and foreign researchers; scholarships, specialization and practical training of domestic and foreign researchers based on international, government, business and other agreements; the administrative supervision of research organizations.

The Ministry participates in the development of programmes and projects, and the implementation of the EU-funded projects as well as projects funded from other international sources. It cooperates with the ministry competent for management of state property in all affairs regarding management and disposal of shares and interests in state-owned companies, as well as companies which are primarily engaged in activities within the jurisdiction of this Ministry. It performs tasks related to the participation of the Republic of Croatia in the activities of European Union bodies and other international bodies pertaining to its competence.