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Latvia
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE OF SCIENCE IN LATVIA
Latvia has a long tradition in scientific research. Traditionally well developed fields are wood chemistry, material research, physics, biology, organic synthesis etc. The critical mass of research is located in 12 state research institutions and 26 institutes, affiliated with 6 state universities. Public support for science as well as development of research policy is provided by the Ministry of Education and Science. The Latvian Science Council is responsible for funding fundamental and applied research based on competition between proposals. In addition, support to innovation and private-sector industry oriented research is provided by the Ministry of Economics.
SUMMARY REVIEW OF SCIENCE & RESEARCH COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
The Agreement on Economical and Scientific&Technical Cooperation, concluded by Latvia and Belarus in 2004, constitutes the legal basis for S&T cooperation between two countries. Article 5 of the Agreement implies the creation of Intergovernmental Commission for programs of S&T cooperation forming and coordination.
Based on this Agreement, the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) in 2002 concluded Agreement on scientific cooperation. As annex to the Agreement the Protocol on currency-free equivalent scientists exchange was signed, that provides mutual scientific visits realization on terms of financing stay expenses by hosting Academy (the annual exchange quota is 50 man-day for each Academy).
A number of Agreements and Protocols on cooperation is signed on the level of scientific institutes and universities of two countries.
Since 2001 through the Calls of Belarusian Republican Fund on Fundamental Research (BRFFR) 4 Belarus-Latvia research projects bilaterally financed have been and are being fulfilled.
Existing collaboration is based mainly on direct contacts between researchers and institutes, often established in former times and having been sustained over many years of working together. Various legal frameworks for the collaboration between Latvian and Belarusian researchers have been used, such as 7FP, Baltic Sea Region INTERREG and others.
A separate cooperation agreement has been concluded between the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Amongst others, short-term visits of researchers are foreseen in the framework of this agreement.
© National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 2011
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