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.
More than 30 scientists in person participated in the BioPhoT Platform Info-day on 10 April, and around 20 online. The aim of the event was to help scientists prepare for the submission of their project proposals on 8 May.
"Given how different the objectives and criteria of BioPhoT are from traditional science funding competitions, our task is to help scientists orient themselves and prepare as much as possible for the selection process, where they will be judged not by scientists but by business people," said Osvalds Pugovičs, BioPhoT Platform Manager and Deputy Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis.
"Under BioPhoT, the Ministry of Economics has tasked Latvian research organisations (scientists) with proposing, designing and developing research that will lead to projects that will benefit the economy for the next eight years. The overarching objective is to invest in science to boost Latvia's economic development and global competitiveness.
Research carried out by BioPhoT scientists should be able to provide new, competitive solutions in biomedicine, medicine, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials, electronics and engineering systems.
After the submission of the project, the first selection round is the most important - a 5-minute presentation of the project followed by a discussion with the BioPhoT expert panel, an international team of professionals with experience in the commercial sector, business development and commercialisation of science.
"The first round will be open to those projects whose authors are able to concisely and clearly answer the questions: what specific problem in industry or the economy can be solved in this way, why it can be done with the proposed idea and how the scientist's solution is better than existing ones," the selection criteria relevant to the BioPhoT platform was pointed out by Ģirts Ozoliņš, one of the seven mentors of the platform, senior expert at the Institute of Solid State Physics.
The project teams that make it through the first selection round will go on to develop their applications in detail and will be assessed by a panel of experts from the Latvian Research Council, focusing on the scientific aspects of the idea.
€6 million is available for projects that pass this year's first funding call. Researchers will be able to receive up to €200,000 per project. A second call for BioPhoT projects is planned for autumn this year.
The BioPhoT Info-day provided participants with an overview of the application procedure, project selection criteria, the meaning of mentoring and the scope of assistance. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions in public and to consult individually with BioPhoT mentors and experts who were there to support applicants. Through the platform's funding, mentoring support is available to project applicants already during the preparation period.
On Monday, 7 April, the Mentoring Day of the BioPhoT platform took place at the State Scientific Institute "BIOR", during which the representative of the Institute of Solid State Physics Ģirts Ozoliņs introduced the BIOR researchers to the objectives of the project "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" ("BioPhoT"), project submission opportunities and support to be provided.
The event aimed to explain the BioPhoT project application procedure, funding conditions and the importance of the TRL level (Technology Readiness Level) in moving research results towards practical application. Researchers had the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical advice.
"This collaboration will bring our researchers a step closer to innovations with practical applications and strengthen "BIOR's" engagement in science-intensive entrepreneurship," said "BIOR's", Chairman of the Scientific Council Aivars Bērziņš.
The BioPhoT platform is an important support mechanism for the development of research and innovation in Latvia, fostering collaboration between scientists and industry, creating new opportunities in biomedical, photonics and other fields.
The "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" or "BioPhoT" is a long-term national research programme aimed at fostering collaboration between biomedical, photonics and smart materials sciences and the commercial sector to develop new technologies and products. The project has been awarded €12.8 million in public funding until the end of 2026.
"BIOR" is one of the project partners and its researchers have the opportunity to participate in this innovation programme. The aim of the project is to strengthen Latvia's competitiveness in global markets and to foster innovation capacity in the biomedical and photonics sectors.
The research platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" ("BioPhoT") launches the first call for Research and Innovation Projects (RIPs). A total of €6 million is available for this call for RIPs in the areas of Smart Specialisation Strategy or RIS3 - biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials and engineering systems. The deadline for applications is 8 May this year. An information seminar on preparing applications will be held on 10 April.
"The BioPhoT research platform is designed to bridge the gap between science and the commercial sector by making it easier for inventions to cross the so-called 'valley of death' on their way to development. We encourage scientists and industry to take advantage of this opportunity, both by participating in the RIP competition to promote the development and commercialisation of new technologies and by gaining new knowledge from the platform's training programme consultants, who not only have business development expertise but also scientific experience. This is our opportunity to lead Latvia to new achievements in high-tech industries and to significantly strengthen our competitiveness in the global market as well," Osvalds Pugovičs, Deputy Director of the Latvian Organic Synthesis Institute (OSI) comments.
The first call for projects has a total budget of €6 million, with up to €200 000 per project. The deadline for applications is 8 May 2025. Projects must be implemented within 12 months, with the possibility of a three-month extension without additional funding. In the event of a large number of highly rated RIP applications, the BioPhoT Platform Project Steering Committee may decide to increase the amount of funding available for project implementation to €8 million. The call rules and annexes can be found on the BioPhoT website www.biophot.lvand on the websites of all BioPhoT partners.
The evaluation of RIP applications will take place 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 will take place on 10 April at 10.00 in the conference hall of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, Dzērbenes iela 14. During the seminar, the platform team will inform about applying for the competition, opportunities for cooperation with mentors, as well as discuss frequently asked questions. To register for the workshop, follow this link: https://lu.ma/2pgowzmy.
The BioPhoT platform will offer a free training programme covering a wide range of topics on technology transfer, commercialisation of scientific results and intellectual property protection. The full training programme is available on the platform's website www.biophot.lv.
This is the first of a total of three calls for proposals expected in the first phase of the Platform's operation by the end of 2026. A total of more than €12 million will be available for innovation projects during this period. Almost €5 million more will be earmarked for improving scientists' innovation skills, including training on IP protection. If the platform is effective, public funding will also be provided for the next two phases of the BioPhoT platform until 2032.
A total of 35 new technologies are expected to be developed by 2032, having reached either a proven technological basis (TRL 3) or technological validation in a laboratory setting (TRL 4). At least 23 of these technologies are expected to be developed to validation under realistic conditions (TRL 5) or demonstration under full-scale conditions (TRL 6), while at least four will enter the commercialisation phase of innovation.
The Organic Synthesis Institute of Latvia (OSI) in collaboration with leading Latvian scientific institutions announces the first Research and Innovation Project (RIP) call under the platform "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" ("BioPhoT"). The deadline for submission of applications is 8 May 2025.
A total of €6 million is available for research and innovation projects in the fields of RIS3 - biomedicine, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, photonics, smart materials and engineering systems. In the event of a large number of highly ranked applications, the BioPhoT project evaluation panel may decide to award additional funding of up to €2 million.
Each RIP can receive up to €200 000 in funding. Projects must be implemented within 12 months, with the possibility of a 3-month extension without additional funding.
The applicant is a scientific institution. The rules and annexes can be found on the BioPhoT website www.biophot.lv, as well as on the websites of BioPhoT's lead partner OSI and collaborating partners.
Mentoring is available for the preparation of RIP applications. To apply for mentoring, please fill in application form and send it to the following email address biophot@osi.lv.
On 10 April at 10.00 in the conference hall of the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, Dzērbenes iela 14 and online, an informative seminar on applying for the competition, opportunities for cooperation with mentors, as well as frequently asked questions will take place. More information and registration are available in the events section.
On 1 April, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry hosted the BioPhoT Mentoring Day.
During the event, the mentors of the platform gave a detailed insight into the practical aspects of BioPhoT, the role of mentors and the methodology. Scientists had the opportunity to ask questions and get answers on project development and application preparation.
"BioPhoT - or "Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for Innovative Products" is a long-term national research programme designed to foster collaboration between scientists and the commercial sector to develop new technologies with high commercialisation potential in the biomedical, photonics and related sectors. It is designed as a long-term initiative with specific objectives in technology development and commercialisation. The platform has a particular focus on the commercialisation of research results, with a mentoring support system, training and additional innovation education available to project authors. These features make BioPhoT an important initiative in the Latvian science and innovation ecosystem, fostering closer cooperation between research and business, and contributing to Latvia's international competitiveness," the organizers highlighted.
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.
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.
The BioPhoT platform's Terms of Reference and the first call for proposals are expected soon. Researchers and science-intensive ideas from the biomedical, medical technology, pharmaceutical, photonics, smart materials, electronics, electrical engineering and technology and engineering systems sectors are invited to apply.
The BioPhoT platform represents a significant departure from the current approach to public funding, providing more targeted support for innovative projects in biomedical and photonics technologies. The funding process will specifically assess market demand for the technology developed, industry support and interest in its development. The selection process will start with a presentation to a panel of industry experts who will provide an initial assessment and help identify the most promising innovations.
There are a number of key requirements for project promoters: the timeframe for projects must not exceed 12 months and the maximum funding available for an idea is €200,000. Particular emphasis is placed on the level of technological readiness (TRL). In addition, participants are provided with regular mentoring support and are assessed not only on the TRL but also on the overall level of realisation of the innovation (IRL).
