Human and Social Development
Research and Development

Research teams; educational and science institutions.

A World Bank study shows that Lithuania has strong foundations to be a knowledge-based economy. However, Lithuania faces problems in the Research & Development (R&D) sector in terms of governance, structure, management and regulation. Cooperation between R&D institutions and business as well as international integration need to be enhanced. Therefore, in 2009 a new Law on Science and Studies was approved aiming at modernizing the R&D system. Furthermore, it was decided in 2007 to develop five R&D clusters in Lithuania integrating studies, science and business. This programme offers an opportunity for Swiss and Lithuanian research institutions to cooperate for mutual benefit.

The programme strengthens the research and development sector in Lithuania and at accelerates its integration into the international research area. This is reached by supporting research cooperation between Switzerland and Lithuania in natural, environmental and health / life sciences.

Thanks to this programme, Lithuanian and Swiss research institutions respectively teams will on the basis of an open call for proposals carry out joint research projects and mutually organized scientific events (such as conferences, seminars) in the thematic fields of environmental, health/life and natural sciences.

The expected results are:

• Call for proposals for joint research and institutional
  partnership projects organized
• Joint research and institutional partnership projects carried out.