Establishment of International Competence Centers
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“Establishment of International Competence Centers” is a project coordinated by the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) and implemented in collaboration with partners – Lithuanian research and higher education institutions and university hospitals – which aims to strengthen Lithuania’s research and innovation potential, foster international cooperation in the field of research and experimental development (R&D), and promote the commercialisation of knowledge by establishing and operationalising international competence centres.
Following an initiative by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania, in 2024 the LMT issued a call for proposals for the establishment of international competence centres (hereinafter referred to as “Competence Centers”) and organized public consultations with potential project partners. Thematic groups of consultants, composed of international consultants and Lithuanian social partners, reviewed the proposal information and, by mutual agreement of the members, submitted a final list of proposed potential partners for establishing Competence Centres to the Chairman of the RCL.
Key conditions for the establishment of Competence Centres included the demand for and relevance of such centres in Lithuania, the ability to attract talented researchers from Lithuania and abroad, the prospects for creating a modern environment for applied R&D activities, and the potential social and economic impact of the Competence Centres, in line with the objectives of the National Progress Plan 2021–2030. Additionally, consideration was given to the risks associated with the implementation of activities and the achievement of results, as well as the readiness to manage these risks.
The five established Competence Centres will strive for breakthroughs in their respective scientific fields, share knowledge and technologies, strengthen researchers’ competencies, and develop new solutions and products for the Lithuanian and international markets.
The Competence Centres are being established by Lithuanian science and higher education institutions and university hospitals, in collaboration with international partners – leading research, higher education, and/or innovation institutions in Europe:
- PhenoPlantCC Centre of Competence Plant Phenotyping for Healthy Food and Sustainable Agrobiological Resources. Founders: Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry and Vytautas Magnus University. International partner: University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
- ComARC Autonomous, Remote–Controlled and Connected Systems Centre. Founders: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). International partner: Fraunhofer FKIE Institute (Germany).
- MPMC Microbiome & Precision Medicine Centre. Founders: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) with the Hospital of LSMU Kauno Klinikos. European partners – the Institute of Clinical and Molecular Biology and the Kiel Microbiome Center at Kiel University (Germany).
- CADM Centre for Advanced Desease Modelling. Founders: Vilnius University, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. Foreign partner: Utrecht University and the Utrecht Medical Center (Netherlands).
- Terahertz and Hybrid Semiconductor Chip Centre. Founders: Vilnius University and the State Research Institute Center for Physical and Technological Sciences. International partners: Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) and the research institute IMEC (Belgium).
As the project coordinating institution, the RCL ensures the overall continuity of the project and contributes to the quality of the desired outcomes. The RCL’s role in the project:
- Monitoring the activities and quality of the Competence Centers;
- Providing consultations to the Competence Centres on research funding and operational matters;
- Assessment of the sustainability potential of the Competence Centres;
- Organization of and participation in targeted scientific missions aimed at presenting the activities of the Competence Centres and Lithuania’s R&D potential on an international scale;
- Project communication, organized and carried out in collaboration with partners.
Closer cooperation between Lithuanian research and higher education institutions and university hospitals, the formation of multidisciplinary research teams, a focus on the practical application of knowledge, and the involvement of the Research Council of Lithuania will create the conditions for the quality and sustainability of the Competence Centers’ activities.
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The Competence Center (PhenoPlantCC) is established by the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and Vytautas Magnus University. The international partner is the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
By attracting leading international scientists, PhenoPlantCC will conduct new experimental research, develop and apply advanced plant phenotyping and genomics technologies.
PhenoPlantCC will conduct new research and data analysis on plant genomic technologies, phenotyping, environmental adaptability, and bio-raw material quality preservation. Modern plant phenotyping methods will be applied in conjunction with new genomic technologies such as gene editing. This will significantly accelerate the creation of qualitatively new plant varieties, which will enable more effective implementation of EU objectives and address the challenges of ensuring the conservation of agrobiological resources and secure food supply. The expertise and knowledge gained by PhenoPlantCC will be transferred to the public, Lithuanian and foreign public and private sector actors; R&D results will be effectively converted into commercially promising products.
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ComARC is a new international R&D centre being established by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), in strategic partnership with Fraunhofer FKIE(Germany). The Centre aims to become an internationally connected R&D hub for autonomous, remotely operated, and connected systems spanning air, land, and maritime domains.
ComARC is conceived to translate advanced engineering research in the fields of electronics, transport engineering, AI/ML and information systems, into deployable, dual-use technologies. Its mission is to accelerate the development, testing, and validation of trusted autonomous systems that are secure, resilient, and operationally relevant for civil, industrial, and defence users. By integrating AI, communications, cybersecurity, advanced materials, and platform engineering, ComARC will work on creating a unifying framework for technologies that are currently fragmented across sectors and disciplines.
A defining feature of ComARC is its Sandbox-based operational model: creating premises for a controlled yet realistic experimentation environment combining physical test platforms, digital twins, and secure connectivity. This will enable rapid prototyping and validation under realistic operational scenarios, while supporting industry collaboration, talent development, and international project participation.
Latest updates: ComARC is announcing a call for applications for a research group leader. More information can be found at this link.
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MPMC Microbiome & Precision Medicine Centre is a newly established international R&D Centre at theLithuanian University of HealthSciences (LSMU), Institute for Digestive Research, developed in collaboration with the LSMU Hospital of Kauno Klinikos and European partners – Institute for Clinical and Molecular Biology and Kiel Microbiome Center at Kiel University (Germany).
The Centre is being established to advance and coordinate cutting-edge translational microbiome research, focusing on understanding the role of the microbiota in human health and disease and on developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. Research will encompass microbiota-host interactions, microbiome-based innovations, and data-driven approaches, integrating fundamental and clinical research. The concept of the Centre is based on the application of advanced interdisciplinary technologies, including multi-omics data generation and analysis, state-of-the-art in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experimental model systems, culturomics and synthetic biology approaches, single-cell and spatial technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and big data analytics.
The Centre’s activities will cover the full innovation pipeline and will focus on the development of biomarkers, diagnostic solutions, microbiome modulation strategies, and data-driven analytical tools. The Centre aims to generate high-impact scientific outputs and strengthen international collaboration, fostering an open, competitive, and talent-attracting research environment.
Latest updates: The Center is announcing a call for applications for research group leaders. For more details, please follow this link.
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CADM, the Centre for Advanced Disease Modeling is being established by Vilnius University (VU), Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, and international partners – Utrecht University and the University Medical Center Utrecht (Netherlands).
The Centre for Advanced Disease Modeling focuses on innovative R&D activities aimed at creating alternative, human-relevant, animal-free disease models that promote translational research and personalized medicine. Activities are based on three main areas:
1. Advanced cell models using iPSCs, organoids, and 3D bioprinting technologies to create physiologically relevant human tissues.
2. Advanced molecular technologies, leveraging spatial biology and multiomics for the spatial analysis of complex tissues and diseases.
3. Advanced analytical methods, integrating in silico tools, bioinformatics, and high-resolution functional imaging for in-depth analysis of biological data.
CADM research focuses on five thematic areas: neurodegenerative disorders, oncology, immunology, the circulatory system, and rare diseases. By prioritizing in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico technologies, CADM aims to develop models that more accurately reflect human biology. This ensures progress in the fields of drug and biomarker discovery, therapeutic development, and personalized medicine. CADM’s activities are based on the synergy between technology development and applied research, ensuring the transfer of expertise to young researchers and dissemination across various medical R&D topics.
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Terahertz and Hybrid Semiconductor Chip Centre is established by Vilnius University (VU) and the National Research Institute Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC). International partners – Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) and IMEC Nanoelectronics R&D Hub (Belgium).
The Terahertz and Hybrid Semiconductor Chip Centre aims to develop a systematic and sustainable solution by combining the scientific expertise and experience of VU and FTMC in the fields of semiconductors, semiconductor chips, and photonics, with the goal of generating new scientific knowledge and technologies for the development of THz-frequency and hybrid semiconductor chips, and intends to contribute to the development of education and the ecosystem in Lithuania.
The Competence Centre will specialize in the development of high-frequency chips in the THz range and advanced III-V semiconductor compounds such as GaAs, GaAsBi, InGaAs, InAs/AlInAs, grown by FTMC. It will utilize silicon (CMOS) and Si/Ge (BiCMOS) technologies in conjunction with innovative Ga(In,Al) N structures, created by integrating with silicon via scandium oxide (ScO) interlayers or using remote epitaxy via graphene for flexible membrane structures, thereby enabling hybrid electronics.
Leveraging existing semiconductor growth technologies and processing, CMOS and BiCMOS design expertise, and knowledge of semiconductors, optoelectronics, photonics, and THz technologies, the Competence Centre will generate scientific and technological knowledge and intellectual property by developing state-of-the-art terahertz, hybrid, or heterogeneously integrated electronic-photonic devices on semiconductor chips.
Latest updates: the Centre is announcing a selection process for research group leaders. For more details, please follow this link.
2026-03-09 „Tarptautinių kompetencijos centrų“ projekto partneriai pradeda veiklas ir skelbia tyrėjų atrankas
2025-10-24 Lietuvoje kuriami tarptautiniai kompetencijų centrai
Project value: €45,052,064.88
Project duration: November 1, 2024 – August 31, 2029
The project “Establishment of International Competence Centers” (No. 10-030-P-0001) is being implemented under Measure No. 12-001-01-02-01 of the Education Development Program of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania, the managing authority of the 2022–2030 Development Program “Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems in Science Centers.” The project is funded by European Union funds and co-financing for the period 2021–2027.
CoC Project Team:
Veronika Kapalinskaitė (Head of Project Administration Unit)
Ph. no: 370 604 76 286
Email: [email protected]
Inga Ablingienė (for enquires related to ComARC Competence Centre)
Ph. no: +370 612 79 410
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Lijana Dienaitė (for enquires related to MPMC Microbiome Competence Centre)
Ph. no: +3706 12 744 56
El. p. [email protected]
Julija Baniukevič (for enquires related to Terahertz and Hybrid Semiconductor Chip Centre)
Ph. no: +370 608 90 340
Email: [email protected]
Jolanta Revaitienė (for enquires related to PhenoPlantCC)
Ph. no: +370 675 69 663
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Urtė Lina Orlova (for enquires related to CADM Centre for Advanced Disease Modeling)
Ph. no: +370 612 80 345
Email: [email protected]
Last updated: 10-04-2026