The research system in Latvia is being developed as part of the European Research Area (abrev. ERA), implementing measures to synchronise the Latvian research system with the systems of other European Union member states and to bring the research environment and performance closer to international standards. The priority issues to be addressed within the framework of the science policy are related to the need to increase investment in Research and Development (abrev. R&D), promote the renewal of human capital of research and knowledge creation in all fields of science, and develop research infrastructure to increase research and innovation capacity. Since 2015, science policy in Latvia has been developed in accordance with the Latvian Smart Specialisation Strategy (abrev. RIS3) to purposefully focus research and promote knowledge and technology transfer in line with sectoral growth priorities and stimulate social and economic transformation towards the more efficient use of resources and creation of new, higher value-added products and services.

Science policy is developed by the Ministry of Education and Science in accordance with national development priorities, while the institution responsible for the implementation, management, development and coordination of international policy is the Latvian Council of Science. 

Read more: www.izm.gov.lv