Info day for potential applicants: on the BioPhoT call and its rules, and on changes to the application and evaluation of research and innovation projects.
"BioPhoT Research and Innovation Call 2 conditions.
Collaboration with mentors in BioPhoT Research and Innovation Call 2: Ģirts Ozoliņš
University accelerator UniLab's offer for BioPhoT team capacity building: Andris Baumanis
"BioPhoT approved Platform Innovation Projects (PIPs) are regularly assessed and mentored using the Innovation Readiness Level (IRL) methodology developed by KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
During the workshop, led by BioPhoT mentor Ģirts Ozoliņš, everyone can learn how this methodology helps to evaluate and develop innovation projects, its application in BioPhoT platform projects, get practical examples and answers to questions.
Workshop presentation:
In early September, BioPhoT hosted an online workshop to exchange experiences with leading researchers involved in theEuropean Research Council, ERCin the preparation of Starting Grant applications.
Dr. Sanita Reinsone, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia and Head of the Centre for Digital Humanities, shared the process of preparing the application for ERC Starting Grant .
In 2022, she applied for a project on new participatory practices in digital folklore archives and reached the interview stage. In the webinar, Dr Reinsone looks back at the application process, shares lessons learned and offers advice to other applicants.
Presentation was followed by Senior researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Dr. Jānis Velikswho has prepared a competitive ERC Starting Grant application and participated in the Stage 2 evaluation phase.
He leads the project “Fluorinated Compounds by Nodal Synthesis” (F-NODE), originally submitted to ERC Starting Grant scheme and later refinanced through the European Regional Development Fund.
For those interested, see the presentation by J. Veliks:
Workshop on the preparation of the BioPhoT Research and Innovation Projects (RIP) 2nd evaluation round application documents.
The workshop introduced participants to the requirements for a full application, the evaluation criteria and the procedure for completing the forms in the National Research Activity Information System (NZDIS). It also answered questions sent in advance and provided practical advice on how to present a high-quality project.
Moderated by Ineta Kurzemniece
Presentation materials:
"The BioPhoT Platform for Research and Innovation Projects (RIPs) attracted 117 applications in the first round of evaluation, of which 79 reached the qualification threshold.
On 20 June 2025, a workshop was held on the results of the first round of evaluation of the RDP applications. "The BioPhoT industry panel was represented by Matīss Neimanis, Managing Partner of Buildit Latvia Accelerator.
The seminar "Intellectual Property - From Idea to Patent and Beyond" aims to provide researchers and IP professionals with in-depth knowledge on IP protection, patenting and commercialisation.
Today, when innovation is an integral part of science and business, it is essential to understand how to effectively protect your ideas and turn them into commercially successful solutions. The workshop will cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of intellectual property types and authorship issues to a detailed analysis of the patenting process and how it links to commercial opportunities.
Workshop leader:
European Patent Attorney, Dr.sc.ing. Artis Kromanis - an expert with many years of experience in patenting inventions and technology transfer.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5:
It is important for every researcher to understand how to protect their intellectual property and to be aware of how to assess the patentability of an invention, which can be an important step towards commercialising an idea. Researchers are invited to watch the recording of the Patent Information Reading webinar, which provides basic knowledge and practical information on the patenting process.
The webinar is moderated by Artis Kromanis, a European patent attorney with many years of experience in the field of intellectual property.
The seminar covers three key aspects:
the purpose of the patent information search, including the discretion analysis and the assessment of the patentability of the invention;
an introduction to patent databases, demonstrating how to carry out patent searches;
Analysis of patent documents to understand their validity and scope of protection.
BioPhoT Research and Innovation Project (RIP) applications will be evaluated in two rounds. In the first round, a panel of independent scientific, industry and innovation experts will assess the innovative potential of the RIP idea and its relevance to market and/or end-user needs. Applicants will be required to prepare a five-minute presentation and after the presentation in front of the panel, a 10-minute question and answer session. The second round will consist of a full project submission and scientific peer review by experts selected by the Latvian Science Council.
The information seminar took place on 10 April in the conference room of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science. During the seminar, the platform team informed about the application process, opportunities for cooperation with mentors, as well as frequently asked questions.
On 20 March, the networking event BioPhoT Radar took place at the Science and Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University (RTU). It brought together more than 80 scientists and industry representatives to develop joint innovative projects and new cooperation opportunities to be further implemented through the National Research Programme (NRP) platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT".
The BioPhoT Radar networking event aimed to foster collaboration between research organisations and companies to develop new and promising projects in the fields of biomedicine and photonics. Participants took part in an "idea sprint", where scientists presented their innovative ideas in a concise manner, while industry representatives shared their current topics and challenges. The interactive format of the meeting encouraged the generation of new ideas and active networking, which helped to identify new potential collaborative projects and strengthen established contacts.
