17-04-2024

Lithuanian scientists enjoy success in the world's largest science programme: record funding reached during three years

An increasing number of Lithuanian scientists are getting involved in international research programmes, and their applications are receiving more success and funding. One of the examples of success is their active participation in the world's largest research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe. A budget of €117 million has already been earmarked for the projects of Lithuanian participants, of which more than €99 million is provided by the European Commission.

Around 1,700 Lithuanian researchers have submitted nearly 1,300 applications for the Horizon Europe programme implemented starting from 2021. The overall success rate for Lithuanian participants in the programme is 20% (the EU average is 21%).

"During the three years of Horizon Europe's existence, Lithuanian science projects have attracted more than €100 million, which is €10 million more than during the whole previous Horizon 2020 period. Nearly 260 projects submitted by more than 340 Lithuanians will be funded by the programme. This means that the capacity of Lithuanian participants to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the EU's science and innovation programmes is growing: 620 Lithuanians have successfully participated in the previous Horizon 2020 programme during its entire period," says Justas Nugaras, the Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport.

The average grant awarded by the European Commission to a participant from Lithuania in Horizon Europe is €291,000, which is almost double the previous programme.

Currently, the 20 most active Lithuanian participants in the Horizon Europe projects include not only public research and education institutions, but also representatives of the business sector, public bodies and agencies.

The Horizon Europe programme will run until 2027. The programme funds of €95.5 billion are used for funding the activities of researchers and innovators, and the different instruments of the programme are accessible to all the participants in the ecosystem, from individual researchers to large companies. In Europe, this programme is considered an indicator of the competitiveness of a country's science.

Lithuania's state funding for science has also been growing steadily - in recent years, state funding for science has increased 2.5 times from €142.6 million in 2020 to €347.8 million in 2024.