The largest share of the donation, 700 000 euro, is allocated to the MikroTik Research Grant Competition in the fields of natural sciences, technology, and medical sciences. This will be the 7th competition organised under the programme, which over the years has enabled researchers and research groups at UL to undertake innovative research projects and strengthen the University’s research capacity.
“The MikroTik Research Grant Competition has become one of the most significant sources of private funding for advancing research at the University of Latvia. The long-standing support of Mikrotīkls has enabled implementation of dozens of high-calibre research projects, strengthened research infrastructure, and created new opportunities for our scientists to undertake internationally competitive research,” says Zaiga Pūce, Head of the University of Latvia Foundation.
Nearly 50 000 euro has been allocated to the Foundation’s scholarship fund. With support of Mikrotīkls, UL Foundation awards and administers scholarships to future teachers of physics, chemistry, mathematics and geography, as well as to students of bioinformatics and doctoral candidates in the fields of exact sciences, natural sciences and medicine, supporting more than 30 students in total.
A further 50 000 euro has been allocated to the Latvia’s Teacher of the Year 2026 Award, recognising outstanding teachers and promoting the prestige of the teaching profession in Latvia.
Since 2011, UL Foundation’s Platinum Patron has provided sustained support for scholarships for University of Latvia students, research projects, and the acquisition of scientific equipment, in total exceeding 9.6 million euro.
Mikrotīkls is a Latvian company founded in 1996. It develops and manufactures networking hardware and software, including routers, switches and the RouterOS operating system. Its products are distributed worldwide and are used by internet service providers, enterprises and individual users.
About UL Foundation
UL Foundation was established in 2005 to foster cooperation with existing and prospective patrons, as well as other partners. The foundation was created to attract funding and award scholarships to outstanding students at UL and other higher education institutions, support UL researchers and their research projects, promote the development of a modern learning environment, and contribute to the construction and renovation of the University’s facilities.
By investing in Latvia’s future, UL Foundation works to reinforce the University’s ties with society and promote the sustainable and internationally competitive development of Latvia’s academic environment.
 Foundation has received a donation of 799 031.63 euro from its long-standing patron of science and education, company Mikrotīkls, in July this year. The funding will support scientific research projects, scholarships, and initiatives recognising outstanding teachers.){kind=link}