The European Union-funded program "Innovation Grants for Students" has been launched in Latvian universities, offering students the opportunity to develop their innovation skills and implement creative research ideas with practical applications. The program will be implemented until 2029 and will strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and the business sector, fostering the development of Latvia’s innovation ecosystem. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Education and Science, was approved by the government on Tuesday, February 4.
The total funding for the program is EUR 13.9 million, with a plan to involve at least 6,500 students from various universities. Latvian higher education institutions can apply for project funding, with a maximum public financing of EUR 250,000 to EUR 3.3 million per project, depending on the number of full-time students at the receiving institution and its partner organizations. Universities will organize student innovation idea competitions, and it is planned that at least 30% of innovation proposals will be related to artificial intelligence technologies, internal and external security, and educational technologies. Additionally, at least 40% of projects will be implemented by interdisciplinary teams. As a result, approximately 1,500 student idea prototypes are expected to be developed.
“Latvia is a country with strong academic and research achievements and significant potential for future development. Further strengthening these aspects, particularly in the field of innovation, is crucial for our country’s sustainable growth and competitiveness. Students are the future leaders who, with their ideas and entrepreneurship, can drive both economic growth and the creation of socially significant solutions,” emphasized Jānis Paiders, Deputy State Secretary for Human Capital, Science, and Innovation Development at the Ministry of Education and Science.
The recipients of this ERDF-funded initiative are Latvian universities, which will implement projects in collaboration with partners, including higher education institutions, scientific institutions, vocational education institutions, general education institutions, businesses, associations, foundations, and state or municipal institutions.
The program provides support for students through two types of grants: a large grant (EUR 13,899) for developing an innovative idea based on an existing concept, and a small grant (EUR 3,418) for initial idea development and testing. Additionally, students will have access to scholarships and the opportunity to participate in innovation competitions and workshops.
This initiative will enable students to practically develop their innovation and entrepreneurial skills while fostering university-industry collaboration, ensuring the development of new talent and preparing a workforce that meets labor market demands. The program will promote an innovation-oriented education approach at universities, enhance students' knowledge and innovation competencies, support the development of innovative ideas and new entrepreneurs, and strengthen cooperation with businesses to train specialists aligned with labor market needs. University faculty members involved in the program’s implementation will enhance their competencies, while student innovation growth during their studies will contribute to Latvia’s long-term innovation development and improved performance in the European Innovation Scoreboard.
It is expected that at least 10% of students who develop innovation and entrepreneurship competencies will secure internships or employment in companies engaged in research and development activities or scientific institutions.
The first phase of the Student Innovation Grant Program (2018-2023) was implemented by the University of Latvia (UL), Riga Technical University (RTU), Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, and the Latvian Maritime Academy, involving other Latvian universities, scientific institutions, and over 100 businesses.
For example, the university business incubator “UniLab”, initially established at the RTU and the UL as part of the Student Innovation Grant Program, has become a key instrument in supporting science commercialization. It is now implemented by all four Latvian research universities in collaboration with the leading Scandinavian venture capital and acceleration fund “Accelerace”. During the first phase of the program, RTU students built an underwater drone adapted for Latvian conditions; students and RTU Engineering High School pupils developed a second high-power rocket; RTU, in collaboration with LMT, launched Latvia’s first industrial PhD program, with the first doctorate awarded in 2023.
