Research partnerships for green and digital transition

Author: Dovilė Čibiraitė-Lukenskienė

  • Lithuanian Energy Institute and Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Join Historic MIT Cooperation Agreement

    Lithuanian Energy Institute and Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Join Historic MIT Cooperation Agreement

    Two members of RTO Lithuania – Lithuanian Energy Institute and the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry – are among the key partners in a groundbreaking cooperation agreement signed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on January 28, 2024, at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania.

    The agreement establishes the MIT-Lithuania Seed Fund, which will promote cutting-edge research collaborations between MIT faculty and Lithuanian researchers. The $900,000 initiative, spread over three years, is part of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) programme.

    As consortium members, both institutes will participate in various forms of cooperation, including joint scientific research, technology projects, innovation development, and international mobility of researchers. The partnership aims to address key areas such as renewable energy, sustainable environment, and agro-innovation.

    The Lithuanian Energy Institute was represented at the signing ceremony by its Director, Prof. Dr. Saulius Gudžius, who also participated in a panel discussion titled Partnership between Lithuania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: preparing to play in the top league.

    This historic collaboration positions Lithuania to become a regional leader in science and innovative solutions, while strengthening the country’s transatlantic ties and increasing its visibility in the international arena.

  • RTO Lithuania prepares the S&T policy recommendations for the new government

    RTO Lithuania prepares the S&T policy recommendations for the new government

    The Association of Research and Technology Organizations (RTO Lithuania), representing three leading Lithuanian research institutes, has presented comprehensive recommendations for strengthening the country’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem.

    The recommendations emphasize Lithuania’s potential to become a leading STI country while highlighting the need for fundamental changes in the current system. Among the key proposals is the initiation of a National Research, Technology and Innovation Programme focused on climate resilience and strategic autonomy, covering areas such as plant technologies, semiconductors, and renewable energies.

    A major emphasis is placed on bridging the gap between industry, research institutes, and universities through an Excellence in Applied Sciences programme. The association also calls for enhanced collaboration between science, business, and investors through pilot demonstration projects.

    To address brain drain and attract talent, RTO Lithuania recommends establishing a researcher attraction grant programme coordinated by the Lithuanian Research Council, including support for returning Lithuanian researchers and foreign experts.

    The recommendations also focus on reforming the scientific evaluation system, making it less dependent on quantitative indicators and more aligned with EU Research Area reforms. Additionally, the association proposes improvements to the industrial doctorate program and calls for increasing the number of PhD students while enhancing their study conditions.

    A crucial point in the recommendations addresses research funding, highlighting the current shortfall in R&D expenditure (0.47% of GDP) and emphasizing the need to reach the targeted 0.75% of GDP by the end of 2024, as agreed in the Agreement between Lithuanian political parties.

    The proposals also include strengthening science diplomacy, increasing internationalization through joint research programs, and enhancing funding for the Next 100 programme, which supports student internships at leading global institutions.

    These recommendations were presented by Sigitas Rimkevičius, President of the Association’s Governing Board, representing the collective vision of the Centre for Physical and Technological Sciences, the Lithuanian Energy Institute, and the Lithuanian Agrarian and Forestry Research Centre.

    The document can be found here: S&T policy recommendations

  • Annual Meeting agrees on strategic objectives of RTO Lithuania

    Annual Meeting agrees on strategic objectives of RTO Lithuania

    The Association of Research and Technology Organisations (RTO Lithuania) has approved its vision and strategic objectives during the Governing Board meeting held on November 12, 2024. The meeting marked a new page in the history of the Association, which unites Lithuania’s three largest research institutes.

    The newly formed Governing Board formulated and formally adopted the organisation’s mission and vision for the first time. According to the approved vision, RTO Lithuania aims to become the leading Lithuanian research network that translates scientific knowledge into solutions to the most pressing challenges of the state and society through interdisciplinary excellence and next-generation scientific leadership.

    Two main strategic objectives were approved:

    • Research excellence and interdisciplinarity: The Association will focus on developing collaborative research consortia, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation including talent development, expanding access to international R&D programmes, and empowering the next generation of researchers.
    • Science policy impact and international cooperation: RTO Lithuania will increase cooperation with EU and international institutions, broaden participation in science policy forums and strengthen participation in strategic platforms.

    The meeting also decided to prepare a detailed report on the Association’s activities for 2024 to serve as a basis for the implementation plan for 2025-2026. The Association will accelerate scientific innovation and societal impact by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between research institutions, linking scientific expertise to national and EU policy priorities, developing the next generation of scientific leaders, and translating research into practical solutions for society and industry.