RESEARCH COUNCIL OF LITHUANIA ACTIVITY REPORT 2014 Contents 1. Basis for the activities of the Research Council of Lithuania and quality assurance .............................................. 3 1.1. Principal documents governing the activities of the Research Council ................................................................. 3 1.2. External evaluation of the Council ......................................................................................................................... 3 2. Principal activities of the Council .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Expert activities of the Council .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.1. Discussions regarding promotion of innovations ....................................................................................... 5 2.1.2. Development of new projects under the national research programmes ................................................. 6 2.1.3. Development of the project under the State Lithuanian studies and dissemination programme for 2016- 2020 ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1.4. The proposal regarding an urgent programme on the research in national security ................................ 7 2.1.5. Development of research infrastructure .................................................................................................... 7 2.1.6. Development of the Smart specialisation strategy .................................................................................... 8 2.1.7. Comparative analysis of research activities ............................................................................................... 9 2.1.8. Open Access ............................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.9. Long-term institutional R&D programmes ............................................................................................... 10 2.1.10. Commission on ethics of research activities ............................................................................................ 10 2.1.11. Doctoral studies in research and arts ....................................................................................................... 11 2.1.12. Recognition of doctoral degrees in research (art) acquired abroad ........................................................ 12 2.1.13. Expert panel for the evaluation of the terms of reference of R&D papers, and the Commission for the evaluation of selection of R&D services and their providers ................................................................... 13 2.1.14. Other advisory activities of the Council.................................................................................................... 13 2.2. Financing of research and other scientific activities ............................................................................................ 14 2.2.1. National research activities ...................................................................................................................... 20 2.2.1.1. NRP State and nation: heritage and identity ............................................................................. 21 2.2.1.2. NRP Social challenges to national security ................................................................................ 22 2.2.1.3. NRP Chronic non-infectious diseases......................................................................................... 22 2.2.1.4. NRP Future energy ..................................................................................................................... 22 2.2.1.5. Ecosystems in Lithuania: climate change and human impact ................................................... 23 2.2.1.6. NRP Healthy and safe food ........................................................................................................ 23 2.2.1.7. NRP National Lithuanian studies development programme for 2009-2015 ............................. 24 2.2.1.8. Projects of researcher groups .................................................................................................... 24 2.2.1.9. Support to research activities of scientists and other researchers (Global grant) .................... 25 1 2.2.1.10. Long-term institution-based programme in economic research ............................................... 26 2.2.2. International research activities ............................................................................................................... 27 2.2.2.1. Participation in the ERA-NET programmes ................................................................................ 27 2.2.2.2. Joint Baltic Sea Research and Development Programme BONUS ............................................. 29 2.2.2.3. Lithuanian – Swiss cooperation programme "Research and development" ............................. 29 2.2.2.4. Lithuanian-Latvian-Chinese (Taiwan) programme; .................................................................... 30 2.2.2.5. Cooperation with Japan ............................................................................................................. 30 2.2.2.6. Participation in the cooperation initiatives of the Nordic and the Baltic States ....................... 30 2.2.3. Researcher career and mobility ............................................................................................................... 31 2.2.3.1. Implementation of post-doctoral fellowship in Lithuania ......................................................... 31 2.2.3.2. International mobility according to bilateral cross-border contracts ........................................ 32 2.2.3.3. Swiss Grant Fund (Sciex-NMSch) ............................................................................................... 32 2.2.3.4. European Space Agency programme ......................................................................................... 33 2.2.3.5. Support for researcher travel .................................................................................................... 33 2.2.3.6. Competitive financing of short-term visits of scholars .............................................................. 33 2.2.3.7. Grants to doctoral students and support to their academic trips ............................................. 34 2.2.3.8. Training of high qualification specialists (doctor's degree students) in competition-based doctor's degree studies.............................................................................................................. 35 2.2.3.9. Support for research events ...................................................................................................... 35 2.2.3.10. Support to publication of research articles and books .............................................................. 35 2.2.3.11. Support for academic associations ............................................................................................ 36 2.2.3.12. Promoting students' research activities .................................................................................... 36 2.2.4. Other financing instruments .................................................................................................................... 37 2.2.4.1. Support to applicants under Horizon 2020 ................................................................................ 37 2.2.4.2. Compensation of VAT for FP7 projects ...................................................................................... 37 2.2.4.3. Financing of representatives in European Union and other international working groups ...... 38 2.3. Participation in the development of the international research area ................................................................. 38 2.3.1. Administration of Horizon 2020 and the Seventh Framework programme ............................................. 38 2.3.2. Teaming measure under Horizon 2020 (WIDESPREAD-1-2014: TEAMING) ............................................. 40 2.3.3. Joint Programming Initiatives ................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.4. COST activities .......................................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.5. European Science Foundation and Science Europe ................................................................................. 42 2.3.6. Researchers in motion network EURAXESS .............................................................................................. 44 2.3.7. Other international cooperation activities ............................................................................................... 44 2.4. Other projects implemented by the Council ....................................................................................................... 45 2.4.1. Data base Lituanistika............................................................................................................................... 45 2.4.2. FP7 project "Servicizing Policy for Resource Efficient Economy" (SPREE) ................................................ 46 2.4.3. The Seventh FP project