1. Annual Review Meeting for Cohesion Policy Funds Specific Thematic Focus 2 - Review the status and state of play of smart specialization strategy in Latvia
Riga, 23th November

2. Entrepreneurial discovery process and the RIS3 framework
Latest development regarding RIS3 framework:
Analytical descriptions of each RIS3 specialization area (published January 2016), int.al. public discussions in November 2015.
Material explaining the role of social sciences and humanities on implementation of RIS3 growth priorities (November 2016).
Decision not to allocate separate funding for a new measure «Support for RIS3 monitoring». Necessary analytical support ensured within existing measures and projects.

3. Link between the RIS3 priorities and selection of operations (SO1) (1/2)
SO «To increase the research and innovation capacity of scientific institutions of Latvia and their ability to attract external funding by investing in human resources and infrastructure»
Measure
Implementation status
Compliance with RIS3
Industry-Driven Research
Selection of research project applications (decision) until 30th November
Two quality sub-criteria foresee to evaluate project contribution to:
(1) the project goal with directions of the transformation of economy and at least one growth priority defined in RIS3;
(2) how specific project results will contribute to the resolution of the problem/s defined in the RIS3 growth priorities (one or more)
Support for postdoctoral studies
Submission of research project applications until 30th November
Projects shall contribute to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas (eligibility criteria)

4. Link between the RIS3 priorities and selection of operations (SO1) (2/2)
Measure
Implementation status
Compliance with RIS3
Innovation grants for students
Not yet designed
Project criteria shall include evaluation of project contribution to the RIS3 implementation
Development of R&D infrastructure in the Smart specialization fields and sustaining institutional capacity of scientific institutions
Program is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 16 August
Evaluation criteria foresee that project application shall justify project’s contribution to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas, including the contribution to creating more jobs for highly qualified workers (eligibility criteria)
Support for international cooperation in science and technologies
Undergoing public discussion
Draft evaluation criteria foresee that project application shall justify project’s contribution to achieving RIS3 goals and implementing growth priorities and development of specialization areas (eligibility criteria)

5. Monitoring mechanism and first results (1/2)
Actions taken during Year 2015/2016 that will contribute to the first RIS3 Progress Report writing by generating new data, analysis and recommendations:
Decision by the CoM to allocate EUR for the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau to expand national statistics in the field of R&D&I (data range and sample size) starting 2017 (December 2015)
Research on governance, university-internal funding mechanisms and academic recruitment and remuneration schemes in Latvian Higher Education Institutions (World Bank) (since May 2016; first results – December 2016)
Survey on the Careers of Doctorate Holders (since September 2016; first results – December 2016)
“Ex-post evaluation of planning period OP “Human Resources and Employment” and “Entrepreneurship and Innovations” investments in science, research and innovation” (contract – December 2016; it is planned that interim report will be used in preparation of RIS3 progress report)

6. Monitoring mechanism and first results (2/2)
The National Contact Point of Horizon 2020 collects data on international cooperation (Participation of Latvian institutions in Horizon 2020 programs and Joint Technology Initiatives) on regular basis
MoES will analyse the experience gained and conclusions that shall be taken into account in organizing next calls for project proposals of measure “Industry-Driven Research” (after project selection, end of November 2016)
The results of all 11 TSC and business-level (micro level) analysis as an outcome of the entrepreneurial discovery process made by experts working with Competence Centre program will be collected and used as a source for preparation of RIS3 progress report

7. Synergies with other instruments
Mechanism of funding highly ranked Horizon 2020 project proposals that are not funded due to budget exhaustion:
measure No
measure No
measure No
MoES is participating in Nordic Council of Ministers’ mobility program for public administration with the project “Baltic -Nordic networking: transfer of good practices on research and innovation policies”. One of its main activity is to share experience among Latvia, Finland and Denmark about R&D policy implementation regarding RIS3.

8. Thank you!