The Science, Technology Development and Innovation Guidelines 2021–2027 outline the country’s medium term policy framework for strengthening its research and innovation (R&I) system. The document sets strategic goals to enhance research excellence, international collaboration, innovation capacity, and the socio economic value of knowledge. It emphasizes the need to increase investment in research and development (R&D), modernize governance structures, and align national policies with EU strategies such as Horizon Europe, the European Green Deal, and the EU Digital Strategy. The Guidelines were developed through extensive consultations with researchers, ministries, universities, and other stakeholders. A key focus is developing strong human capital in research by reforming academic careers, improving doctoral studies, supporting young scientists, and fostering international mobility and talent attraction. The document highlights the importance of advanced research infrastructure—including digital infrastructure—and its integration into European research ecosystems. It promotes the creation of excellence centers aligned with Latvia’s Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3), enabling high quality fundamental and applied research, stronger links with industry, and improved commercialization of research outputs. To boost innovation capacity, the guidelines call for digital transformation of the R&D system, wider implementation of open science principles, and stronger knowledge and technology transfer mechanisms between universities, research institutes, businesses, and the public sector. Public sector engagement in research, strategic science communication, and regional innovation development are also prioritized. The document sets measurable indicators—including R&D expenditure targets, publication metrics, innovation rankings, and productivity benchmarks—to track progress toward a more knowledge driven, competitive, and socially inclusive economy by 2027.
Latvia · 2020-01-01