Second Research and Innovation Project Call Announced: €4.8 Million Available for Scientists

On October 6, the second project call of the research platform “Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Creation of Innovative Products” (BioPhoT) was announced.
Within this call, researchers have access to an indicative budget of €4,826,110 to implement innovative solutions in two of Latvia’s Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) areas – biomedicine, medical technologies and pharmacy, as well as photonics and smart material research, technologies, and engineering systems.

Each Research and Innovation Project (PIP) can receive up to €190,000 in funding, with an implementation period of 8 months (extendable by an additional 3 months without extra funding).
Project applications must be submitted to the National Research Information System (NZDIS) by 7 November 2025.

Our Institute’s Experience in the 1st BioPhoT Call

In the first BioPhoT research and innovation project call, Dr. chem. Laura Andže, Senior Researcher at the Cellulose Laboratory of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, received funding for the project: “OsteoWood. Next-Generation Birch Wood Solution for Bone Fixation – A Sustainable Pathway from Forest to Functional Implant.”

At the core of the project lies the idea of using birch wood as a biologically compatible and mechanically strong material for bone fixation. In the LSIWC laboratory, researchers are developing a technology where wood is densified using a glycerol bath, significantly enhancing its mechanical properties. As a result, densified birch wood becomes as strong as human cortical bone – its outer, compact layer.

According to Dr. Andže, the idea emerged through collaboration with specialists from the Latvian Microsurgery Centre, and active research is currently underway to enable the future use of this material for osteosynthesis implants – screws and plates for bone fixation. In the next phase, Dr. Laura Andže will join forces with the team at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, particularly with Dr. Antons Sizovs, as well as collaborate with a surgeon Vadims Ņefjodovs from the Latvian Microsurgery Centre, who is also a doctoral student at Rīga Stradiņš University. This collaboration bridges materials science and medicine, paving the way for innovative solutions to improve human health.

Results of the 1st BioPhoT Project Call

In the first BioPhoT call, 122 project proposals were submitted, of which 40 projects received funding. This reflects the high activity and quality of ideas among researchers, as well as the strong demand in Latvia for this type of competitive research framework.

The project topics covered:

  • Biomedicine and healthcare

  • Medical technologies

  • Photonics and optical technologies

  • Smart materials, including biomaterials and bio-based composites

  • Environmental and energy solutions, such as CO₂ capture and renewable energy applications

Given the high quality of submissions, the total funding volume was increased from €6 million to €8 million.

BioPhoT Information Day for Project Applicants

Tomorrow, October 7, the “BioPhoT” platform will hold an information day for potential applicants of the 2nd project call.
The event will take place from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Aizkraukles Street 21, Riga, Large Conference Hall, 4th floor) and will also be available online via Zoom.

During the event, participants will receive answers to their questions to ensure a smooth application preparation and submission process.

More about the information day on BioPhoT website

Looking Ahead

By 2032, the BioPhoT platform aims to develop at least 35 new technologies, more than half of which will be tested under real-life conditions (TRL 5–6), and four technologies are expected to reach commercialization.
This will further strengthen collaboration between Latvian science and industry in high-technology sectors.

The project “Biophotonics and Biomedical Research Platform for the Development of Innovative Products” (BioPhoT) is implemented within the framework of the State Research Programme “Innovation Fund – Long-Term Research Programme.”
Platform ID: IVPP-EM-Inovācija-2024/1-0002.

More information about the second BioPhoT research platform call on the BioPhoT website.

No IVPP-EM-Innovation-2024/1-0002 "Long-term national research programme project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products"

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