The application submitted by the Latvian Biomedical Research & Study centre (BMC) has been successful in the European Union’s Horizon Europe “Teaming for Excellence” programme, securing a total of €30 million in funding for the development of a national wastewater monitoring system. Over the next six years, the project will be implemented by the National Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI), marking a significant milestone for Latvian science, innovation development, and the country’s economic growth.
NIRI’s winning project is the Centre of Excellence for an Integrated Human, Environmental and Animal Health Approach.
The project idea originates from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC), which, from 1 June, together with the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, will form the National Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI). In this call, BMC applied with the vision to establish a permanent wastewater monitoring system in Latvia. The system will enable regular nationwide analysis of wastewater to identify chemical and toxic substances, pharmaceutical residues, and disease-causing agents. Such a system will allow early detection of risks and help prevent threats to human health and life.
The Chair of the Scientific Council of the BMC, Jānis Kloviņš, emphasises that this type of project and its integrated approach make it possible to detect infectious disease risks before they become visible within the healthcare system.
“This is a very tangible contribution to Latvia’s development, marking the beginning of NIRI’s journey. Within six years, Latvia will have a comprehensive wastewater analysis system in place, serving both public health and national security,” emphasises Acting Director of NIRI, Dace Kārkle.
The Teaming for Excellence programme does not fund individual research projects, but the creation of new centres of excellence. It ensures collaboration with world-class partners, long-term infrastructure, new research platforms, development of human capital, and a significant strengthening of the country’s international reputation, notes the Acting Director of NIRI.
Project partners include the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC), Riga Technical University (RTU), the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the University of Dundee.
For project implementation, Latvia will be able to attract €15 million in European Union funding.
According to the conditions of the call, an equal amount of co-financing must also be secured by Latvia. The national contribution would be covered from EU structural funds available to Latvia for science, strategically redirecting part of these resources towards the development of the new monitoring infrastructure.
This initiative is highly relevant for investors, big pharma stakeholders, start-up ecosystem supporters, scientific institutes, and healthcare organisations – as it lays the foundation for a scalable, data-driven public health and biosecurity infrastructure in Europe.