Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) was founded in 1996 in Valmiera. It is a higher education and research institution with international recognition. Since 2025, its research capacity has been consolidated within the Vidzeme University Scientific Institute (ViAZI). Moreover, ViA has become one of the first 12 scientific institutions to join researchLatvia as a Member — serving as an ambassador of Latvian science.
This recognition, awarded through the researchLatvia platform established by the Ministry of Education and Science, highlights the university’s significant contribution to the development of Latvian science. In the interactive calendar "Science for Latvia 2025", the month of August is dedicated to ViA’s research, marking it as the university’s "science month".
"Research what you teach, and teach what you research" - this is the guiding principle behind ViA’s scientific activity, which has had the status of a scientific institution since 2015. Its research is characterised both by high-level international scientific work, which ensures competitiveness in Europe and globally, and by applied research in fields essential for the Vidzeme region and Latvia’s national economy. ViA researchers are leading experts in areas related to sustainability in its broadest sense, balanced economic development, societal resilience and democratic values, as well as digital transformation.
“A major added value of our work is the ability not only to deeply specialise in specific scientific fields but also to work across disciplines, creating synergies between expertise in social sciences and engineering,” explains Vidzeme University’s Rector and leading researcher, Ph.D. Agnese Dāvidsone.
Research, Innovation, and New Infrastructure
ViA’s 2023–2028 strategy sets out its vision to become an internationally recognised regional hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, driving societal and future growth. The university’s core values are entrepreneurship, sustainability, collaboration, creativity, respect, responsibility, and academic freedom.
Vidzeme University’s research activities are closely tied to the needs of the region and society and are integrated with its academic programs:
Research is also a vital part of the European University E³UDRES². This alliance, founded in 2020 by ViA together with eight other universities of applied sciences from EU countries, serves as a model for responding to the social, environmental, and economic challenges of the 21st century. ViA is also part of the project “Accelerate Future HEI”, which fosters the development and transformation of higher education institutions across the EU.
VA has repeatedly invested in improving its scientific infrastructure, attracting EU structural funds as well as allocating its own budget for the development of laboratories in virtual and augmented reality, spatial research, mechatronics, multimedia, and other fields.
Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Research Team – Knowledge and Innovation for Regional Development in Europe
ViA’s research team is a dynamic, multidisciplinary group of specialists actively engaged in both scientific research and innovation. Combining academic expertise with practical approaches, the team advances research in sustainability, technology, societal resilience, governance, and regional development. Researchers collaborate with businesses, municipalities, and international partners to create solutions that bring tangible benefits to society and the region.
The university employs 52 scientific staff members:
- 15 leading researchers,
- 18 researchers,
- 19 research assistants,
- 19 doctoral students.
International Collaboration and Research Project Priorities
Vidzeme University actively develops international cooperation in science, participating in various EU and other funded research projects. ViA researchers collaborate with universities, research institutes, and companies worldwide to tackle challenges of societal importance. Such cooperation not only expands scientific competence and experience but also ensures the transfer of new knowledge both locally and internationally.
This is evidenced by the fact that, between 2019–2024, 57% of ViA researchers’ publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science databases were co-authored with international partners. The quality of ViA’s scientific work is also demonstrated by the fact that in recent years, about half of its publications were published in 1st and 2nd quartile journals in Scopus and Web of Science, including 8% in top-decile journals.
In 2024, the university’s research project budget amounted to €2.42 million:
- 45% from EU structural funds,
- 12% from Horizon Europe,
- 40% from state funding,
- 3% from other national sources.
Research projects accounted for 62% of the total ViA project budget and made up one-third (33%) of the university’s overall budget.
Doctoral Studies
Together with other Latvian universities, Vidzeme University offers two doctoral study programs — Economics and Business and Socio-Technical Systems Engineering. In cooperation with the E³UDRES² European University alliance and Latvian partners, ViA is currently preparing to launch a new international doctoral program in engineering sciences in 2026.
Video with this month's researchLatvia calendar scientist, Ph. D. Oskars Java:
