Sharing good practice in research and science policy implementation with colleagues from Latvia
27 September 2023. The Research Council of Lithuania (LMT) was visited by colleagues from the Research Council of Latvia (LZP). Together, through the Baltic Research Programme (BRP), the Research Councils strengthen cooperation and promote the participation of Baltic researchers in joint research in the natural and technical sciences, humanities and social sciences. This meeting was therefore a valuable opportunity to share experiences and ideas in the field of science and research policy implementation.
During the meeting, the Latvian colleagues were introduced to the structural set-up of the LMT, the cooperation between science and research policy makers and policy implementing institutions, the main strategic directions and areas of activity. Latvian representatives also shared their experience on this topic. The Latvians were also interested in the procedures and mechanisms of research and experimental development (R&D) administration and expert evaluation of applications carried out by LMT. Project management and the optimisation of research initiatives were also an important part of the discussions at this meeting. LMT's participation in international projects, active attraction of international partners to Lithuania to develop joint initiatives encouraged the participants to further develop joint activities and programmes.
LMT joined the Baltic Research Programme, funded by the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants, in 2019. The main objectives of the programme are to consolidate the scientific potential of the Baltic and Nordic countries and to strengthen regional cooperation in scientific research relevant to the countries. Since 2021, LMT has funded 12 research projects under this programme. The call has a budget of EUR 11.5 million.
The projects address a wide range of common challenges in the Baltic region, such as pancreatic cancer research and the development of new treatments, new wheat varieties adapted to changing climatic conditions, and methods to improve cybersecurity competences. Retrospective research on the potential for Nordic-Baltic economic integration through labour migration, technology transfer, foreign direct investment and capital movements, and international trade. The results should contribute to a better understanding of the potential for Nordic-Baltic business and science cooperation, to analyse how vocational education and training can improve the social inclusion of young people at risk, to address the problems of young people who are "dropping out" of educational institutions, and to conduct other research.
The three projects will be led by researchers from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University will each run 2 projects led by their researchers, while Kaunas University of Technology, the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agreculture and Forestry and the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology will each run 1 project.