RCL Visit to Ireland: Focus on Collaboration and Opportunities for Young Researchers
On March 19–22, the Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL), Dr. Gintaras Valinčius, and the Head of the Researcher Support and EU Investments Division, Andrius Kaveckas, visited Dublin, Ireland. During their visit, they met with representatives of research funding institutions, the academic community, the Lithuanian diaspora, and young researchers. The RCL delegation was accompanied by the Ambassador of Lithuania to Ireland, Jonas Grinevičius, and Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Lithuania in Ireland, Renata Rinkauskienė.
Dr. Gintaras Valinčius highlighted the significance of this visit: “This visit demonstrated that there is great potential to strengthen scientific collaboration in Ireland. The established connections and discussed joint initiatives will open new opportunities for Lithuanian researchers, promote international partnerships, and foster the development of new projects.”
According to Ambassador Jonas Grinevičius, the visit was highly productive and beneficial: “We have established valuable contacts with relevant Irish institutions, and I hope that in the future, we will continue the cooperation between RCL, the Embassy of Lithuania in Ireland, and Lithuanian and Irish academic institutions.”
Exploring Collaboration with Research Funding Agencies
The delegation met with Dr. Celine Fitzgerald, Acting Director of Research Ireland (RI), and Dr. Michael Ryan, Head of the International Relations Department at RI. The discussions focused on sharing experiences in research funding and the potential for joint projects involving researcher exchanges. Dr. Valinčius presented RCL’s latest agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, summer student internships, and NASA research placements. In turn, RI introduced its bilateral cooperation program with Wales (partner – Wales Innovation Network) and its PhD internship program, co-funded by RI and private industry.
At another research funding agency, the Health Research Board (HRB), Dr. Valinčius presented the establishment of five international competence centers in Lithuania, two of which will specialize in health research. The discussion also touched on opportunities for technical consultations regarding impact assessment methodologies.
Engaging with the Academic Community and Lithuanian Researchers in Ireland
Beyond formal meetings, the RCL representatives participated in informal discussion events with Lithuanian scientists based in Ireland. These discussions provided a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring collaboration opportunities, and shaping Lithuania’s science policy directions.
At Dublin City University (DCU), the RCL delegation introduced RCL-funded summer internships in Lithuania and the opportunity for Lithuanian students to participate in NASA internships. The DCU mobility team expressed interest in these initiatives, and the information will be shared with students to encourage applications. The delegation also met with Prof. Anne Parle McDermott, Director of the DCU Life Sciences Institute, and Prof. Robert Forster from the Chemistry Department, who introduced ongoing research projects and gave a tour of the institute’s laboratories. Possible joint projects and future cooperation between Lithuanian and Irish researchers were discussed.
Meeting with the Lithuanian Community in Ireland
At the Lithuanian Embassy, meetings were held with Lithuanian high school students and university students, where RCL’s funding opportunities were presented, including the Student Summer Internship Program and NASA Research Placements. These initiatives provide Lithuanian citizens with opportunities to gain research experience and internships in international institutions.
Strengthening Scientific Cooperation Between Lithuania and Ireland
The visit to Ireland was a significant step toward strengthening scientific cooperation between Lithuania and Ireland. The newly established connections and discussed joint initiatives will create opportunities for research development, international partnerships, and new possibilities for Lithuanian researchers.
RCL extends its sincere gratitude to Ambassador Jonas Grinevičius, Minister-Counsellor Renata Rinkauskienė, and all those who contributed to the organization of this visit. Your support and engagement were instrumental in fostering new collaborations and future scientific endeavors.