On Tuesday, 28 April, the Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science to the procedures for the evaluation and administration of funding for Fundamental and Applied Research Project (FLPP) projects. The amendments provide for the inclusion of public opinion in the call for proposals regarding topical issues in which the contribution of scientists would be particularly important.
The objective of the FLPP programme is to generate new knowledge and technological insights across all fields of science by supporting the most outstanding ideas of Latvian scientists, while also ensuring balanced development among all groups of scientific disciplines.
The aim of the changes is to strengthen trust in science and to more clearly demonstrate how state‑funded research benefits society and the economy. In the future, public opinion will also be sought on topical issues where research is needed; however, this input will be advisory in nature. This means that scientists will continue to independently choose their research topics and content, thus preserving academic freedom. As before, project quality will be assessed by independent international experts, and funding will be awarded only to the highest‑rated projects.
Funding will continue to be allocated to projects based on evaluations by independent foreign scientific experts, in line with the principles of the Horizon Europe programme. It should be noted that in FLPP calls, funding is awarded only to the top‑rated projects—approximately 10% of all submitted proposals—demonstrating that the programme is firmly based on an excellence‑driven approach.
The public engagement approach was proposed both in response to public interest and discussions last year on the need to increase the contribution of research projects to the national economy, as well as at the request of scientific institutions to improve project evaluation regulations in order to ensure funding for excellence. This approach also reflects European Commission recommendations on involving citizens and civil society organisations in policymaking.
Minister for Education and Science Dace Melbārde emphasises:
“It is essential to strengthen scientific excellence and ensure that research is more closely connected to societal needs. While supporting the best ideas in all scientific fields, it is also important to clearly demonstrate how this research helps address issues that are relevant to Latvia. Broader public engagement fosters trust in science, reduces the gap between research and societal expectations, and strengthens meaningful dialogue.”
At the same time, the FLPP competitive framework provides for improvements in the quality, transparency and comparability of project evaluations through the introduction of panels of foreign scientific experts. Additional eligibility requirements are set for members of project research teams, as well as tasks for the Latvian Council of Science (LCS) in post‑award project monitoring. Panel‑based evaluation will reduce subjectivity by ensuring a methodologically consistent assessment of projects. The FLPP is the main state instrument for strengthening scientific excellence in Latvia, supporting high‑quality fundamental and applied research that generates new knowledge, develops research capacity and lays the groundwork for future participation in international programmes. FLPP calls are organised annually as open competitions. In accordance with regulatory requirements, the Latvian Council of Science is responsible for organising and implementing FLPP project calls.
Up‑to‑date information on the implementation of the FLPP and project calls is available on the website of the Latvian Council of Science.
The amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation “Amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 725 of 12 December 2017 ‘Procedures for the Evaluation of Fundamental and Applied Research Projects and the Administration of Their Funding’” are available on the national legislation portal.
Aktuālā informācija par FLPP īstenošanu un projektu konkursiem pieejama Latvijas Zinātnes padomes mājaslapā.
