Lithuanian Studies Centres are being strengthened globally, and a new funding model has been developed
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport is introducing a new funding model for Lithuanian and Baltic studies centres abroad, which is aimed at ensuring a consistent continuity of activities of those centres, strengthening international academic partnerships, and increasing the global visibility of Lithuanian science, culture, and language. From now on, approximately 1.3 million euros per year are projected to be allocated to this area, which is 53% more than at present, and the funding will be planned for a three-year period. This is the first time a unified funding model has been established for activities in Lithuanian and Baltic studies.
“Today, Lithuanian and Baltic studies centres play a broader role than simply organising studies or research. They bring together international academic communities, strengthen cultural ties with Lithuania, and contribute to the preservation of Lithuanian and Baltic identities.
We hope that the new funding model will help ensure the sustainability of Lithuanian and Baltic studies centres, will strengthen ties with higher education and research institutions in Lithuania, promote cooperation with the Lithuanian diaspora, and create conditions for long-term initiatives that raise Lithuania’s profile around the world,” – says Raminta Popovienė, Minister of Education, Science, and Sport.
There are more than 30 Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres at universities and research institutes around the world where students learn the Lithuanian language and Lithuanian history, get to know the Lithuanian culture, as well as current Lithuanian politics, economics, and other relevant issues. The centres also conduct research in Lithuanian (Baltic) studies and serve as hubs for Lithuanian studies, by promoting dialogue between the academic community and the general public and contributing to the achievement of cultural diplomacy goals.
International academic partnerships to be enhanced
The new model will help strengthen long-term partnerships between Lithuanian studies centres and higher education and research institutions in Lithuania, ensure the continuity of the work of faculty members working abroad, and facilitate the planning of long-term cooperation.
Faculty members at Lithuanian and Baltic studies centres abroad not only teach the Lithuanian language, give lectures on literature and culture, but also bring together academic communities, initiate scholarly collaboration, and help raise Lithuania’s profile around the world. The description of the procedure for funding Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres abroad sets long-term teaching as a priority which creates high value.
Other important activities to be funded at the same time: short-term visits by faculty members to the centres abroad, trainings for faculty members from those centres in Lithuania, internships for Lithuanian students at the centres abroad, short-term studies and internships for students from those centres in Lithuania, professional development for faculty members, acquisition of teaching tools, and promotion of Lithuanian studies.
For those collaborating on projects for strengthening Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres, the new funding model facilitates the creation of a broader network of partners, which will enable the implementation of initiatives that are of a larger scale and carry a greater impact. This will not only reinforce the studies of the Lithuanian language and literature abroad, but also deepen the knowledge of Lithuanian history, culture, heritage, art, philosophy, and other areas of Lithuanian studies.
Up to 1.5 million euros may be allocated for a three-year period to a single project at a Lithuanian institution of higher education carried out in collaboration with foreign centres for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies.
Novelty: Kazimieras Būga Chairs
The new model provides for a separate professorship named after Kazimieras Būga. Funding is projected to be allocated to a scholar holding a position at a foreign university who will not only teach but also conduct research in Lithuanian and Baltic studies, develop joint projects with Lithuanian scholars, involve young researchers in scholarly activities, and contribute to the promotion of the Lithuanian language, Lithuanian culture, and knowledge of Lithuanian society abroad.
The Kazimieras Būga Chairs are expected to help strengthen the academic potential of Lithuanian studies centres, foster international scholarly collaboration, and nurture and bring together a new generation of scholars of Lithuanian and Baltic studies.
For the first time, Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres abroad will be able to initiate projects on their own
One of the key innovations is the opportunity for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres themselves to initiate funded projects. This provides greater autonomy in planning activities and managing the funding allocated for the implementation thereof, in collaboration with selected Lithuanian research and higher education institutions and other centres for Lithuanian (Baltic) studies.
This opportunity would be available to centres that offer programs in Lithuanian language and literature, conduct research, publish their findings, implement initiatives to promote Lithuanian studies, and have the academic staff necessary for their activities.
Up to 360,000 euros could be allocated over three years to a single project initiated by a Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centre.
There are plans to establish new Lithuanian studies centres
The goal is to expand the reach of Lithuanian and Baltic studies to new universities and new regions. Therefore, the new model includes measures designed to help establish new Lithuanian and Baltic studies centres and to ensure a solid foundation for their operations from the very beginning.
The activities of new centres could be initiated in countries or regions where the government has identified a need to expand Lithuanian or Baltic studies, and where there is a foreign research or higher education institution willing to cooperate that possesses the necessary academic and administrative capacity. Funding may be allocated to establish partnerships, support faculty visits, and develop new courses in Lithuanian studies.
Activities that have been successfully launched can be expanded by taking advantage of the opportunities for long-term funding of Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres provided for in the new model.
The Lithuanian language, community, and networking in Lithuania
Students at Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres abroad, as well as Lithuanians living abroad, will retain the opportunity to come to Lithuania during the summer to learn the Lithuanian language. Under the new model, such activities will be organised as a unified national short-term education program.
The program will be implemented by a consortium of several Lithuanian research and higher education institutions, which will pool the experience, expertise, and infrastructure of those institutions. This will enable participants not only to learn the Lithuanian language and become familiar with Lithuanian culture, but also to establish connections with students and faculty members from Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres abroad, as well as with Lithuanians living abroad, thereby strengthening the international community of Lithuanian studies.
The global community of Lithuanian (Baltic) studies will be brought together by “Lituanistica Global”
At the same time, a new digital platform, “Lituanistica Global”, is being launched. It will bring together Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres operating around the world, as well as Lithuanian and foreign research and higher education institutions that contribute to strengthening those centres. On the website www.lituanisticaglobal.lt, you can learn about the international network of Lithuanian (Baltic) studies, its activities, and opportunities for collaboration, all in one place.
The platform will showcase the diversity of academic, research, cultural, and educational activities at those centres. An interactive map will enable users to view the geographic coverage of the centres, while a directory will make it easier to find an institution of interest or a potential partner under the new funding model designed to strengthen Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres.
The platform will also feature publications, teaching materials, and news, as well as highlight the experiences and achievements of faculty members and students in the field of Lithuanian (Baltic) studies.
A separate section is dedicated to funding opportunities and calls for applications relevant to Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centres and their partners.
“Lituanistica Global” aims to be not only a source of information but also a space that brings together the international community of Lithuanian (Baltic) studies.
The platform is coordinated by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.