In an uplifting atmosphere on 7 January, the opening event of the calendar and travelling exhibition “Research Latvia 2026”, organised by the Ministry of Education and Science and the brand researchLatvia, took place at the Latvian Academy of Culture, Gara Māja. The 2026 calendar introduces 12 Latvian research institutes and their researchers whose work enhances Latvia’s visibility in the European Research Area and internationally.
Minister of Education and Science Dace Melbārde emphasizes: “For the ninth time, the Research Latvia calendar has become a tool that allows the public to get to know Latvia’s scientific environment – its achievements and the people behind them. This year, we place special emphasis on national research institutes, whose research contributions are essential to the development of Latvian science and its international visibility.”
At the opening event, all 12 scientific institutions featured in the calendar received researchLatvia ambassador certificates, or “Member of researchLatvia” acknowledgements, honoring their contribution to the development of Latvian science and to promoting the international visibility of Latvia’s scientific achievements.
Until 30 January, the traveling exhibition will be on display at the Latvian Academy of Culture’s Gara māja and at Daugavpils University. After that, it will be exhibited at scientific institutes, higher education institutions, cultural venues, and other locations. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity not only to learn about 12 Latvian institutes, but also—by using the attached QR codes—to watch video materials about each of the 12 scientists. The traveling exhibition is part of science communication activities that enhance the accessibility of science and promote dialogue between society and the research community.
Following last year, when higher education institutions were featured in the calendar, the science ambassadors initiative continues this year with a focus on state scientific institutes. The 12 researchers included in the calendar represent a wide range of research fields:
- Janvāris – Dr. biol. Ingrīda Andersone, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology
- Februāris – Ph. D. Edgars Kuka, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
- Marts – doktora grāda kandidāte Mg. med. vet. Žanete Šteingolde, the Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”
- Aprīlis – Dr. biol. Monta Brīvība, Latvian Biomedical Research & Study centre
- Maijs – Ph. D. Edgars Butanovs, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL)
- Jūnijs – Ph. D. Jānis Ozoliņš, Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of University of Latvia
- Jūlijs – Dr. agr. Līga Lepse, Institute of Horticulture
- Augusts – Mg. soc. sci. Ieva Leimane, The Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics
- Septembris – Ph. D. Jānis Ārents, EDI - Institute of Electronics and Computer Science
- Oktobris – Dr. chem. Gints Šmits, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis
- Novembris – Mg. sc. comp. Baiba Kaškina, The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia
- Decembris – Dr. silv. Dagnija Lazdiņa, Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"
The calendar is produced within the framework of the Ministry of Education and Science–implemented project No. 1.1.1.1/1/24/I/001, “More Efficient and Smarter Implementation and Governance of Latvian Science Policy.”