Lithuania and Japan strengthening ties in joint research and dissemination projects
Today, 25 September. Dr. Gintaras Valinčius, Chairman of the Reasearch Council of Lithuania (LMT), met with H.E. Ozaki Tetsu, Ambassador of Japan to Lithuania. During the meeting, G. Valinčius have presented LMT activities, the joint Lithuanian-Japanese programme (between LMT and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)) and future aspects of cooperation were discussed.
"The successful partnership between the Lithuanian and Japanese scientific communities leads to increase scientific progress, also to initiate cultural exchange and the development of diversity of scientific ideas. This cooperation has a huge potential for new technological solutions, which are necessary to ensure international competitiveness of both Lithuanian scientific and business communities," during the meeting said Dr. Gintaras Valinčius, Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania. "The implementation of joint projects with Japan allows us to retain and attract young researchers to Lithuania, who are looking for opportunities to implement their ideas in companies and organisations that create science-based innovations." - G. Valinčius emphasised.
The partnership between LMT and the JCPS has been ongoing since 2014, with 25 joint Lithuania-Japan projects: 23 research and two dissemination projects. In Lithuania, up to €80,000 has been allocated to fund new research projects until 2022, and the annual budget of the programme is around €180,000. In 2023, the annual budget of the programme has been increased to €220 000. In total, LMT has allocated EUR 1.874 million for collaborative research funding from 2014 to 2022. New calls for proposals for collaborative research are currently underway: 19 proposals have been received for 2023 and the results are expected to be presented by March 2024. Applications are open in both countries, demonstrating the commitment of both parties to equal cooperation. Research projects have a maximum duration of 2 years and dissemination projects a maximum duration of 12 months. All submitted proposals are be evaluated by selected experts in Lithuania and Japan. Projects for funding are selected by a joint decision of the LMT and the JPSS, taking into account the results of the evaluation in both countries, ensuring that only the most promising and highest impact projects are selected for support.