Until April 28, it is possible to apply for participation in the Latvia–Lithuania–Taiwan Scientific Cooperation Support Fund project competition, which invites researchers to submit joint research project proposals in all fields of science. The Fund grants €25,000 per year to each successful project participant.
The trilateral cooperation programme provides researchers with an opportunity to combine knowledge, creativity, and resources in order to jointly address current issues in social sciences and humanities, biomedicine, and materials science.
“This partnership clearly demonstrates that joint research projects can connect different scientific traditions and build trust between countries. The active participation of our scientists shows that Latvia has much to offer in the international research arena,” says Lauma Sīka, Deputy Director for Science at the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Ministry of Education and Science.
The competition is open to specialists, researchers, and academic staff working at universities, higher education institutions, and scientific institutes. Each project must include partners from all three participating countries of the Fund – Latvia, Lithuania, and Taiwan. Each national partner submits the project application to the institution responsible for the competition in their respective country. Latvian partners must submit the application form to the Latvian Council of Science.
The Latvian Council of Science ensures the administrative compliance review of project applications and organizes the evaluation of scientific quality. The announcement of the competition results is planned for October or November 2026, while the implementation of the supported projects will begin on January 1, 2027.
Currently, 12 research projects are active within the programme. In last year’s Latvia–Lithuania–Taiwan scientific cooperation competition, four new joint projects were supported:
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In materials science, Fa-Kuen Shieh from National Central University (Taiwan), Darja Meisaka (Darya Meisak) from Vilnius University, and Anna Šutka from Riga Technical University will develop new environmentally friendly materials capable of responding to electricity and mechanical stimuli.
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In biotechnology, Zong-Hong Lin from National Taiwan University, in cooperation with Ieva Plikušienė from Vilnius University and Linards Lapčinskis from Riga Technical University, will develop a new sensor that, using artificial intelligence, will enable faster and more precise detection of inflammatory markers in the body.
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In environmental sciences, Li-Yaung Kuo from National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan), Radvila Rimgaile-Voicika (Radvilė Rimgailė-Voicik) from Vilnius University, and Liene Auniņa from the University of Latvia will study the conservation of a rare plant species (common moonwort) using genetic data and habitat analysis.
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In sports science, Lung-Hung Chen from the National Taiwan College of Physical Education, together with Brigita Mieženė from Lithuanian Sports University and Katrīna Volgemute from Riga Stradiņš University, will research how athletes psychologically adapt to workloads throughout the sports season, comparing different cultures.
The trilateral agreement establishing the Latvia–Lithuania–Taiwan Scientific Cooperation Support Fund was signed in 2000. The Fund aims to build long-term partnerships that strengthen trust, promote knowledge exchange, and pave the way for new discoveries.
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This article was funded by the European Regional Development Fund project “Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship for SMEs.”
