The Verdict: Need More Info
With an institution behind you, article 12 is open, but it rests on a ministry's opinion. Ask your institution to approach the competent ministry before you file.
Article 12 of the Croatian Citizenship Act lets a foreigner whose admission is in the interest of the Republic naturalise with no minimum age, no residence, no language test and no giving up their current citizenship. Only good standing remains: public dues paid and no security concern.
Article 12(3) is what decides it. The Ministry of the Interior asks the competent ministry for a reasoned opinion, and the national interest must follow unambiguously from it. Article 26(2) allows refusal even when the conditions are met, and the discretion here is wider than anywhere else in the Act.
Family does not travel automatically on this route. A spouse can follow under article 12(2), but only after a year living in Croatia with approved residence. Minor children are not covered by article 13(1)(3), which names the emigrant and diaspora routes but not this one, so they need permanent residence in Croatia.
If you have Croatian ancestry, check article 11 or article 16 first, because they carry minor children automatically. If the backing falls through, athletes, sports workers and artists in cultural institutions get work permits without a labour market test; our Skilled Migration quiz covers them.