Promoting Latvia’s Participation in the Horizon Europe Program

Author
The Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia

April 1, 2025

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved amendments to the regulations proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science, significantly improving access to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for Latvian scientific institutions participating in the EU’s leading research program, Horizon Europe. The amendments clarify funding eligibility for project coordination and pre-evaluation activities.

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Publicity photo

Until now, the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), as the funding recipient, could not cover costs for engaging foreign experts due to restrictions in the previous regulation. The new amendments specify eligible costs and conditions, ensuring they align with procedures developed by the LCS and approved by the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES).

Additionally, the LCS will have new responsibilities, including evaluating scientific institutions according to EU fund exclusion criteria and establishing an internal control system to prevent conflicts of interest, fraud, corruption, and double funding.

The amendments also include refinements to the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) indicators, ensuring alignment with guidelines from the Ministry of Economics.

These clarifications will allow scientific institutions to utilize ERDF co-financing for preparing high-quality Horizon Europe project proposals and pre-evaluation, enabling more successful participation in international competitions and better qualification for European Commission funding.

Latvia’s Results in Horizon Europe

Latvian institutions have participated in 1,542 project proposals, with 309 projects funded, totaling 105.3 million euros.

Latvia’s Success in Horizon Europe Pillars

  • Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness262 participations, 62.1 million euros

  • Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area45 participations, 29.6 million euros

  • Innovative Europe44 participations, 8.5 million euros

  • Excellent Science44 participations, 5.1 million euros

Most Active Institutions

  • University of Latvia – 33 participations

  • Riga Technical University – 27 participations

  • Institute of Electronics and Computer Science – 16 participations

  • Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis – 14 participations

  • Riga Stradiņš University – 12 participations

  • Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia – 10 participations

  • SIA “SmartSol” – 9 participations

  • Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies – 9 participations

Largest Funding Awarded

  • Children’s Clinical University Hospital9.68 million euros (for a "Teaming for Excellence" project)

These amendments mark a significant step toward the strategic and high-quality internationalization of Latvian science, providing researchers with necessary support to fully engage in one of Europe’s most ambitious research programs.

Data as of January 12, 2025

More information:

  • Latvian Council of Science website: Latvia’s Participation in Horizon Europe

  • Cabinet of Ministers’ regulation amendments annotation

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