The Latvian Council of Science advances 74 projects for international evaluation.

The Latvian Council of Science has completed the administrative evaluation of the second round of the research and innovation project competition. A total of 74 proposals with high innovation potential have been forwarded for scientific assessment by international experts. These projects mark the next stage in the development of Latvian science, highlighting its capacity to address critical challenges for society and the national economy.

The proposals represent 11 smart specialisation areas and cover 14 scientific fields, with a strong emphasis on engineering, natural sciences, and health research. From biomedicine and pharmaceuticals to materials science and digital technologies, the submitted projects clearly demonstrate a focus on practically applicable innovations with the potential to make a significant impact.

The highest number of proposals has been submitted by the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, and the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. These institutions show a broad research scope and strong leadership, providing a high-quality scientific foundation. Equally important is the participation of the Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga Stradiņš University, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, Daugavpils University, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, and the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. These institutions offer specialised expertise and in-depth knowledge in specific research areas, building on accumulated experience and well-developed infrastructure.

A key strength of many proposals is their collaborative orientation — numerous projects involve inter-institutional partnerships, enabling effective resource use, knowledge transfer, and multidisciplinary approaches. This is a crucial prerequisite for Latvian science to not only follow global trends but also help shape them.

Next, the projects will undergo international scientific evaluation, providing an objective assessment and identifying the strongest initiatives that may become cornerstones of innovation in Latvia and across Europe.

Source: BioPhoT

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