On 1 June, in a formal ceremony, the newly established Latvian National Institute for Research and Innovation (NIRI) signed a cooperation memorandum with three of Latvia’s leading universities – Riga Technical University, Riga Stradiņš University and the University of Latvia.
The memorandum sets out plans to develop joint research projects and to strengthen the involvement of students and early-career researchers, with the aim of creating an environment in which researchers, students and entrepreneurs work together to advance new technologies with international potential.
This memorandum is an important step towards bringing science closer to young talent and new ideas. NIRI will be a place where university students and researchers can develop their ideas, test them in practice, and receive the necessary scientific and technological support to turn them into real-world solutions.
Director of NIRI, Dace Kārkle
The National Institute for Research and Innovation (NIRI), formed through the merger of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, currently hosts around 180 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students who are carrying out their research projects there.
More than 50% of all doctoral theses defended in Latvia in chemistry, pharmacology and biology are developed within NIRI.
In addition, more than 40 NIRI scientists also teach at universities in Latvia and abroad. The signing of the memorandum confirms all parties’ commitment to expanding this cooperation even further.
The Rector of Riga Technical University, Tālis Juhna, noted that collaboration with NIRI will strengthen technology transfer and give students the opportunity to take part in real innovation processes: “We highly value this strategic step of bringing together two excellent and scientifically strong institutions into one, and we look forward with interest to close cooperation opportunities. I am convinced that by combining our expertise we will be able to create solutions with high added value and international significance.”
Meanwhile, the Rector of RSU, Professor Aigars Pētersons, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration: “The newly established institute will become an even stronger environment for students, doctoral candidates and young scientists, strengthening Latvia’s competitiveness within the European Research Area. It will give the younger generation broader opportunities to engage in high-level research and to build their professional future in Latvia.”
The Rector of the University of Latvia, Professor Gundars Bērziņš, also sees the cooperation as an opportunity to expand high-quality, research-based education: “Such institutional synergy will help young talents to engage in high-level research already during their studies, develop interdisciplinary skills, and contribute to solutions that in the long term improve public health and quality of life.”
The cooperation memorandum was signed during the opening event of the new institute at the Kokaru Hall of the Great Stage of Mežaparks, which brought together representatives from academia, business, and government. The event took place within the framework of the project “Consolidation of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre”, funded by the European Union Recovery Fund and the state budget.
04.06.2026.
