“BioPhot” – A Groundbreaking Collaboration Between Latvian Scientists and the State

On Wednesday, 29th January, the Academic Centre of the University of Latvia hosted the launch of BioPhot—a unique and ambitious joint project between the Latvian state and the country’s scientific community. Over the course of the first project cycle (one and a half years), the Ministry of Economics will invest more than €12 million, enabling Latvia’s leading research institutes to develop projects beneficial to the national economy, with the potential to evolve into new Latvian enterprises.

The state’s directive for the research conducted within BioPhot is to generate novel, competitive solutions in biomedicine, medicine, pharmacy, photonics, smart materials, electronics, and engineering systems.

Innovation Must Be Homegrown

“If we want to progress, we must create innovation ourselves here in Latvia,” stated Raivis Bremšmits, Deputy State Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Economics, during the BioPhot launch event.

Echoing this sentiment, Jānis Paiders, Deputy State Secretary for Human Capital, Science, and Innovation Development at the Ministry of Education and Science, added:

“Every euro invested in science yields up to eight euros for the economy.”

He further emphasised that Latvia’s transformation towards prosperity is directly dependent on the strength of its scientific sector and researchers.

The BioPhot platform will be led by the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, bringing together a consortium that includes the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, the University of Latvia, the Institute of Solid State Physics (University of Latvia), the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, the Institute for Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, Riga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University.

Implementing the Most Valuable Ideas

To qualify for state funding under the BioPhot initiative, scientists’ proposals will be assessed by industry representatives—scientists with extensive practical and international experience in the commercialisation of scientific achievements—as well as by the Latvian Council of Science. The primary selection criterion will be the societal relevance and utility of the proposed research.

“It is time for Latvian scientists to come together and collaboratively address issues that are crucial for society and businesses. That is where true strength lies,” affirmed Lauma Muižniece, Director of the Latvian Council of Science, highlighting that BioPhot unites the very best.

The Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, one of the key drivers behind BioPhot, sees this project as an unprecedented opportunity. Osvalds Pugovičs, Deputy Director of OSI, noted that for the first time in Latvia’s history, research has been provided with undivided funding, which scientists can compete for by proposing truly innovative and high-impact studies.

A Call for Project Proposals

The first call for project applications is expected to open in mid-February.

Based on the evaluation of scientific performance and results, the state plans to continue supporting the BioPhot project and investing in Latvian science until at least 2032.

Photo – Toms Grīnbergs, University of Latvia Communications Department