The interests of the Latvian science and innovation community in Brussels will be advocated by Dr. Linda Vecbiškena, the representative of the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), who has been part of the Permanent Representation of Latvia to the European Union (EU) team since March 2026.
Dr. Linda Vecbiškena has a clear understanding of how processes operate in the international science and innovation environment and how Latvia can take a stronger position in it. Her professional work so far has been related to science and technology development policy, innovation, and the building of cooperation between institutions across different countries. This means not only knowing how the system works but also being able to navigate it and help others do so. Strategic vision and practical experience enable Linda to be a valuable “bridge” between Latvia and the European Research Area.
In Brussels, Dr. Linda Vecbiškena will be actively involved in the network of research and technology development liaison offices IGLO and its working groups (European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (ERC & MSCA), Health, International Cooperation, etc.), promoting Latvia’s participation and the exchange of information on EU research and innovation policy, especially in relation to the next EU Framework Programme for 2028–2034 (FP10). She will maintain cooperation with international partners, including Science Europe and representatives of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
In cooperation with the Latvian science and innovation community, the LCS National Contact Point, the sectoral adviser of the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) and other colleagues of the MoES portfolio, as well as the representative of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in Brussels, Linda will represent and defend the interests of the Latvian science and innovation community. At the same time, she will promote the involvement of Latvian scientific institutions, organisations and companies in EU research and innovation programmes by organising conferences, seminars, networking events, visits and exchanges of experience to attract new international partners.
"Representation in Brussels is not just a position, it is also a tremendous responsibility. A responsibility to ensure that Latvia’s science and innovation community is visible, heard, and involved both in the processes and in the decisions that shape our future and its long‑term perspectives. My goal is to ensure that Latvian researchers have not only access to various EU‑level opportunities, but also the confidence to make use of them without hesitation," acknowledges Dr. Linda Vecbiškena.
Working in Brussels, Linda will promote the international visibility of Latvian organisations, researchers and areas of excellence, strengthening Latvia’s presence in the European Research Area and helping to turn opportunities into concrete projects and collaborations.
Very soon, on 7 May of this year, together with representatives of the Nordic and Baltic research and development liaison offices in Brussels, the annual event Northern Prospects will be organised, which this year is dedicated to the theme “The Northern Prospects: Bridging Industry and Academia for Dual-Use”, or in Latvian “Tilts starp industriju un akadēmisko vidi divējāda lietojuma inovācijām”.
From national experience to international impact
Linda has more than 10 years of experience working within the portfolio of the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), where she has worked on issues of international cooperation and on representing Latvia’s research and development interests in various formats. Her professional work has been related to European Union research and innovation programmes, international cooperation networks and the development of science policy, e.g. in the EU research and innovation (R&I) framework programmes (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), European Research Area network projects (EuroNanoMed III, ERA CoBioTech), COST and EUREKA programmes, as well as bilateral and trilateral cooperation programmes in the field of science and technology.
Linda’s experience covers the entire research cycle – from the development of project ideas to implementation, evaluation and monitoring:
- project idea development and preparation of applications,
- ensuring project evaluation and monitoring processes,
- project management and implementation,
- science and innovation policy planning and monitoring,
- strategic communication.
From 2018 to 2025, under Linda’s leadership, two strategically important projects were implemented, aimed at:
- strengthening the representation of research and development interests in the European and global research area,
- conducting an in‑depth analysis of Latvia’s RIS3 and the specialisation areas defined within it in science and research,
- organising national‑level events to expand international cooperation networks,
- ensuring strategic communication of Latvian science,
- strengthening cooperation with the diaspora.
Previous experience in science and research at the national level has helped her to understand the importance of international cooperation and the opportunities to develop joint research at an even higher level, find potential solutions to global problems, and gain experience working with scientists from other countries and organisations involved in science governance.
Academic and research experience has been gained in Latvia (Riga Technical University) and in an international environment – at the Polytechnic University of Milan (Italy) and Vilnius University (Lithuania).
A deeper understanding of the importance of international cooperation in conducting joint research, addressing global challenges, and collaborating with foreign scientists and science governance institutions has emerged.
Since 2008, diverse experience has been accumulated in various fields of science and innovation:
- project idea development and preparation of applications,
- ensuring project evaluation and monitoring processes,
- project management and implementation,
- science and innovation policy planning and monitoring,
- strategic communication.
The project “Creation of the science communication platform #researchLatvia” has been led and implemented, which:
- promotes the international visibility of Latvian scientists and institutions,
- strengthens public understanding and support for science,
- facilitates cooperation with the diaspora.
The #researchLatvia platform also provides an opportunity for scientists of Latvian origin working abroad to join the Latvian science and innovation community.
In cooperation with national and international institutions, significant events have been organised in Latvia, including:
- “Towards Horizon Europe Implementation in Latvia” (2019),
- the launch event of the EU programme “Horizon Europe” in Latvia (2021),
- the 5th World Congress of Latvian Scientists “Science for Latvia” (2023),
- the international conference “Big Data from Space 2025” (2025).
Anyone, including delegations planning visits to Brussels, is invited to contact the LCS representative in Brussels in advance by email or phone to schedule a meeting.
Let us succeed together in representing the interests of the Latvian science and innovation community in Brussels even more effectively and proactively!
