On November 19, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers (CM) adopted a new regulation that guarantees income and social insurance during doctoral studies. This will increase the influx of applicants, promote the enrollment of the most promising candidates, and encourage the completion of doctoral studies within three to four years, excluding any study breaks, as well as enhance the appeal of doctoral studies as the first stage of a professional career.
The regulation stipulates that a university or its doctoral school partner, based on the employment contract with the doctoral student, will pay a monthly remuneration for part-time work of at least 1000 euros per month (including all taxes) for 12 months per year. The subject of the employment contract is the performance of academic work to achieve the results set out in the doctoral study program, including the development and defense of the doctoral dissertation or the development and defense of the doctoral theoretical research and artistic creative work. It is assumed that the doctoral student will devote up to 20 hours of normal weekly working time to studying and research work in the doctoral program.
This employment model for doctoral students will encourage cooperation between universities as providers of doctoral programs and scientific institutes, as well as institutions in cultural and economic sectors, which can be partners of university doctoral schools and, consequently, employers of doctoral students, thus benefiting all parties involved. Employers have the right to offer a higher remuneration than 1000 euros, with the difference covered by the employer’s funds. The university will create a fund for doctoral student remuneration, allocating financial resources from the state budget, as well as other university and partner financial resources. The title of the doctoral student's position, in accordance with the profession classifier and the agreed job description, will be determined by the employer.
These regulations apply to individuals who have been admitted to a state-funded doctoral study place through an open competition and in the manner determined by the university, starting from the 2024/2025 academic year.
It is reminded that on March 14 this year, the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) adopted amendments to the Higher Education Law and related amendments to the Science Activity Law, which introduce a new model for doctoral studies in Latvia.
Most of the amendments to the Higher Education Law adopted on March 14 came into force on May 1, but some articles, parts, or points, in accordance with the law’s transitional provisions, will come into effect gradually until January 1, 2027.
Further information about the CM regulation draft “Regulations on Doctoral Student Employment, Employment Contract Conclusion and Termination, and Remuneration Calculation Procedure” is available on the MK website.