After defending their dissertations, young scientists are sometimes faced with a choice: what to do next? Some of them have progressive ideas for new projects, but due to a lack of funding, their research remains unrealised. One solution to this problem for young scientists is the grant programmes offered by the Latvian Council of Science (Latvijas Zinātnes padome). In this article, we will look at the LZP's key proposals for young researchers.
The Latvian Council of Science (LZP): what is it and what does it do?
The Latvian Science Council (LZP) was established in 1990 with the aim of democratising the management of scientific activity, improving scientific work and ensuring the effective use of funds allocated to science from the budget on the basis of a competition for research projects.
Since July 2020, LZP has been an institution under the direct management of the Minister of Education and Science. The aim of the Latvian Science Council is to implement national science and technology development policy by providing expertise, implementation and supervision of research programmes and projects. These programmes and projects are implemented in accordance with Latvian regulations, such as Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 408 “On the Latvian Science Council”, issued in accordance with Article 14 of Part I of the Law “On Scientific Activity”. They are also financed from the state budget, EU structural funds or other international sources.
The council's activities are aimed at strengthening the country's scientific potential, increasing the competitiveness of Latvian scientists and integrating Latvian science into the European and global research space.
Main LZP grant programmes
The LZP offers several key research support programmes covering various stages of scientific activity, from fundamental research to participation in international projects.
Fundamental and Applied Research
The programme aims to develop new scientific knowledge and applied solutions. It is an annual open competition where researchers independently formulate the theme of their project. The programme supports both fundamental theoretical research and the creation of practical technological or innovative solutions.
Funding is provided to the strongest applications, which undergo international expert evaluation, and projects usually last up to three years. Applications can be submitted by universities, laboratories, research institutes, etc. In 2025, €17.7 million was allocated to fund this programme. It is also the most flexible and covers all areas of science, from natural and technical to medical, social and humanities.
Postdoctoral Research Grants
The grant programme was created to support young scientists after obtaining their PhD. The main goal is to help young researchers develop their own ideas, build a scientific career and integrate into the international scientific community. Applications for grants can be submitted by young researchers with a PhD degree, both Latvian and foreign nationals. However, there is one requirement that must be met: the PhD degree must have been obtained no more than 10 years ago (taking into account breaks, e.g. due to leave).
According to information available as of 2025 on competitions for research applications for “Postdoctoral Research”, the amount of a single grant is up to €192,360 for a period of 36 months. The grant covers the postdoctoral researcher's salary, research expenses, equipment, conference participation, academic mobility, and publication preparation. In addition, more than €39 million is planned for postdoctoral research until 2029, which means funding for dozens of new young scientists.
State Research Programmes
Unlike open competitions, this programme sets the project topics, and the state determines the priorities in line with the country's strategic needs. These are areas of national importance: protecting public health, developing technology sectors, strengthening economic and energy security, social challenges, etc.
Such programmes fund large-scale interdisciplinary consortia that are expected to provide specific solutions or scientific developments for public policy. Sectoral ministries are responsible for funding and setting priorities in this programme, while the LZP conducts competitions and selects projects.
For example, within the framework of the Digital Humanities programme, one of the projects has a budget of more than €1.2 million for the period 2022-2025. Another project, Cohesive and Civically Active Society, had funding of more than €1.1 million for the period up to 2025.
Support for international cooperation
A separate area of LZP's work is coordinating the participation of Latvian scientists in Horizon Europe, COST, EUREKA and other programmes, as well as in cross-border research initiatives. This allows Latvian researchers to join global research networks, gain access to international resources and increase Latvia's scientific influence. LZP also has a cooperation programme with Ukraine and a fund to support scientific cooperation between Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan.
Thus, all the council's activities are based on the principles of transparency and support for scientific activity in Latvia. It not only awards grants, but also creates a favourable environment for the development of science: it supports young researchers, stimulates innovative projects, ensures stable funding and contributes to raising the prestige of science in society.
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