Research partnerships for green and digital transition

Tag: RTO Lithuania

  • RTO Lithuania Call for Collaborative Pilot Research Projects Launched

    Three Lithuanian RTOs – the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI), and the Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) – have announced today an annual joint call for pilot research projects for 2025. This initiative aims to foster the interdiscplinary and cross-institutional collaboration between three RTOs in addressing key national and societal challenges for a sustainable, climate-resilient and secure Lithuania.

    The call offers funding of up to €30,000 per project (€10,000 for each research group) and focuses on three key areas:

    • Smart/Sustainable Technologies
    • Environmental Technologies
    • Defence Technologies

    Projects must involve researchers from all three participating institutions. Successful projects are expected to result in high-impact scientific publications and lead to a further follow-up – the submissions for national and international R&D&I funding calls, thus providing a launch pad for emerging ideas that can have longer impact.

    An information event will be held at FTMC in Vilnius on March 5, where potential applicants can present their project ideas and find partners. For more information and registration, interested researchers can visit: https://forms.office.com/e/nC5Pe1rt5Q

    The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2025. The projects will have to be completed by March 31, 2026.

    Call documents:

    Call for Collaborative Pilot Projects
    RTO LT interinstitutional project rules 2025
    RTO application form 2025

    Contact persons:

  • Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Hosts Conference on Science-Based Solutions

    Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Hosts Conference on Science-Based Solutions

    On February 11, the Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) organized a conference titled Science-Based Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry which attracted over 250 participants. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss how scientific research can address societal needs and contribute to the country’s agricultural and forestry development.

    Key highlights from the conference:

    • LAMMC Director Dr. Gintaras Brazauskas presented the center’s role in implementing the Lithuanian Government’s program, highlighting increased collaboration with industry partners, development of new plant varieties, international partnerships, and scientific training achievements.
    • Researchers presented findings on important topics including:
      • Greenhouse gas emissions research and country-specific measurements
      • Sustainable soil management and functional biodiversity
      • Secondary raw materials usage for soil improvement
      • Plant protection products effectiveness
      • Functional food development opportunities

    The event concluded with a panel discussion on science-based decision-making in agriculture and forestry, emphasizing the need for better communication between scientists, policymakers, business, and society to ensure research-based solutions are effectively implemented.

    This conference demonstrates how RTO Lithuania members like LAMMC are working to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications while addressing key societal challenges in agriculture and forestry sectors.

  • 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.

  • Collaboration between LAMMC and LEI scientists

    Collaboration between LAMMC and LEI scientists

    We are pleased that scientists from the RTO Lithuania association members, representatives of the LAMMC and LEI, PhD student Greta Striganavičiūtė and Dr. Marius Praspaliauskas, recently participated in the international HORIZON Europe XTRACT “A Sustainable Ecosystem for the Innovative Resource Recovery and Complex Ore Extraction” project meeting in Greece. Their participation is a great example of cooperation between the RTO Lithuania association members.
    Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential for achieving breakthroughs in sustainability and climate change research.

    More information about the project: news article in Lithuanian.

  • RTO Lithuania Joins BSR Deep Tech Entrepreneurship Launchpad Project to Drive STEM Education for Innovation

    RTO Lithuania Joins BSR Deep Tech Entrepreneurship Launchpad Project to Drive STEM Education for Innovation

    RTO Lithuania has recently started implementing a Baltic Sea Region Interreg project – Deep Tech Entrepreneurship Launchpad – developing efficient model for fostering STEM entrepreneurship among students and young researchers, to increase deep tech innovation in economy.

    Title of the project:

    BSR DeepTech Launch

    Project description:

    The project in the Baltic Sea Region together with partners from Poland, Germany and Lithuania is addressing the technology talent gap by creating a DeepTech Entrepreneurship Toolbox. This toolbox will equip students and young researchers with the tools they need to explore entrepreneurship and drive innovation. It will be accessible to various organizations and regions, empowering future entrepreneurs to succeed in the market.

    Partnership:

    Mazovia Development Agency, Polish Technological Platform on Photonics, OpTecBB , RTO Lithuania and Lithuanian Innovation Centre supported by the 3 associated organizations: Candela Foundation , Vigo Ventures ASI ) and Berlin Partner.

    Budget:

    Total budget of the project is €499,350.40

    Project duration:

    01/08/2023 – 31/07/2025 (24 months)

    Project is financed by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme