CONFERENCE
The proposals are submitted in response to the call of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (Support for the international cooperation projects and other international cooperation activities in research and technology of the University of Latvia – 2) that anticipated the submission of 21 international cooperation research projects in natural sciences, medicine, social and humanitarian sciences. Overall, 29 projects were submitted for the targeted call. The projects are currently being reviewed; several applicants have already received an answer regarding progress of their applications. Scientists admit that the competition is serious. It is a time consuming process to develop applications and create scientific consortiums in cooperation with foreign colleagues, so the project included rewards for preparing applications in order to motivate scientists. It should also be noted that applicants receive a project evaluation along answer, which can be useful when improving the project or submitting the project for other competitions if it fails to receive funding. In addition, the application provides valuable experience with funding calls, because, given the total funding for science in Latvia, the participation in such contests appears crucial for many scientists.
It should be noted that the aim of the project is harmonized with the UL strategic guidelines that stipulate to ensure the development and strengthening of the UL scientific capacity by promoting the drafting and implementation of international scientific projects, including realization of new cooperation projects and participation in international conferences, thus promoting the UL recognisability in the European Union and worldwide.
To achieve this goal, the UL needs a greater proportion of scientific work and cooperation between scientific and teaching structures in Latvia and abroad. The number of internationally significant scientific publications as well as the number of doctoral theses should be increased. The EuroNanoForum 2015 that was held this year during the Latvian Presidency of the European Council, was an additional supported initiative, as well as the participation in information and brokerage events organised by the EU.
The total eligible costs of the project are EUR 99 820 and it is 100% funded by ERDF. The realization period is 11 months from January 5, 2015 to November 30, 2015.
More detailed report on the scientific project applications and the experience of authors will be available in “Alma Mater” (winter 2015).
