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LATVIAN RESEARCH SYSTEM

 Maija Bundule

Department for Research, Technology and InnovationMinistry of Education and Science

       

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Content

• RTD institutional system in Latvia

• The role of Governmental Institutions

• Main policy documents

• Funding mechanisms

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RTD Structure in LATVIA

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PARLIAMENT (SAEIMA)

Main Legal Act: The Low on Scientific Activity(19.05.2005.)

Responsibilities of the Saeima • Adoption of the states` RTD strategy

• Allocation of the budget for research and development

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GOVERNMENT (The Cabinet of Ministers)

• Makes decisions on the state research and technology policy;

• Accepts rules and regulations in the area of science and research;

• Makes decisions on the establishment, reorganising and abolishment of state research institutions;• Establishes, re-organizes and abolishes higher education• establishments;• Orders state research programmes;• Defines national research priorities for basic and applied • research.

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The Ministry of Education and Science• Department for Research, Technology and

Innovation• Drafting of laws and other legislative acts, their • harmonization with European legislation;• Working out and realization of state education and

science policies;• Representation of the State interests in international

arena • Distribution of the State budget in the areas of education

and science;• Analysis of the statistical data on education and science,

analytical reviews;

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The Latvian Council of Science

The Latvian Council of Science is a collegial body (public institution) of researchers that deals with science and research problems within the country;

The Council was founded in 1990 by the Council of

Ministers;

Since 1999 it is working according to a special regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers “On the Latvian Council of Science”(updated in 2006).

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The Latvian Council of Science

• Makes conceptual proposals on science policy for the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Education and Science;

• Makes proposals for the development of science and research priority areas;• Proposes the draft of the state science budget (for basic research) for the

current year;• Elaborates on projects for decisions and legislative acts aimed at developing the organizational and financing system for science and

research;• Organizes the evaluation and funding of basic and applied research projects;• Promotes cooperation and integration between research institutes and

higher education institutions.

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Expert commissions of the Latvian Council of Science

Members of expert commissions are elected by scientists who are actively involved in the respective field (branch of science):

1) Natural sciences and mathematics;2) Engineering and computer sciences;3) Biology and medical sciences;4) Agricultural, environmental, earth and

wood sciences;5) Social sciences and humanities

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Main research and technology development policy documents

• Guidelines for higher education, research and technology development for 2002-2010 (2001)

• Single Programming Document (2003)

• National Innovation Programme (2003) and its Action Plan for 2004-2006

• National Reform Plan for 2005-2008 (2005)

• National Development Plan (to be adopted)

• National Structural Implementing Document (2006) and Operational Programmes

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Main research and technology development policy documents

• The Law on Research Activities (2005) – Reorganization of the research institutional system– Integration of research in higher education system– New principles for research funding– Fulfilling of Barselona 3% target

• Research and Technology Development White Book • Research and Technology Development Strategy

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Guidelines for higher education, research and technology development for 2002-2010

Aims: reorientation of Latvian research potential towards

European and national priorities; strengthening the leading role of universities as a

basis for development of higher education, research and innovation;

renewal of research potential involving researchers in solving the actual economic, cultural and social problems.

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National Lisbon programme for 2005-2008, priority tasks

• Ensure substantial growth of public investment in research and development to achieve that the mechanism for granting finances would ensure the attraction of private investment as much as possible;

• Strengthen the leading role of higher educational establishments in the development of science and research;

• Consolidate the intellectual potential of science and develop applied research in the areas of innovative technologies, create preconditions for scientific research in fields, which have adequate potential and development prospects.

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Research priorities (2006-2009)

• Biomedicine and pharmacy,• Information technologies,• Material sciences,• Forestry and wood processing technologies,• Energetic,• Environmental science (research on Baltic Sea),• Agrobiotechnology,• Medical science,• Letonics (Latvian culture, language and history)

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State budget allocations for RTD

• Fundamental and applied research projects• Market oriented research programme • Support for successful projects supported by EU

RTD programmes• National research programmes (in compliance

with research priorities)• EU Structural funds

– Support for applied research projects– Modernisation of research infrastructure

• Maintenance of research infrastructure