RSU Vice-Rector for Science: science should not be judged by profitability

As the state budget for next year is being prepared, this naturally raises debate about which research topics will receive funding, which will not, and what benefits they are expected to bring to Latvia’s economy and society.

As the Latvian Council of Science has already emphasised, FLPP projects are not economic projects – their contribution to the development of Latvia’s economy cannot be measured linearly or tied to immediate financial benefits. The aim of FLPP is to generate new knowledge and technological insights across all scientific fields.

New, authentic local knowledge is, first and foremost, a prerequisite for Latvia to have top-level professionals and quality education, which form the foundation for excellence in any field. Secondly, authentic knowledge is also essential for the transfer of knowledge from abroad: when assessing a sector’s development opportunities, economists evaluate its capacity to absorb knowledge – the existing expertise of specialists that enables them to understand and apply innovations created elsewhere. Therefore, the FLPP programme is important not only as a springboard for Latvian scientists, providing them with the opportunity to participate successfully in EU funding programmes, develop solutions relevant to the national economy in collaboration with industry, and fulfil state research and innovation orders, but it is also crucial for society as a whole.

The criteria for awarding funding are transparent, with project applications assessed based on the relevance and quality of the research, the feasibility of the project, or, in other words, the potential of the research group, and other factors. Applications are evaluated by internationally recruited experts, who confirm that the projects meet generally accepted quality standards in Europe and worldwide, and that the research directions are relevant on a broader scale, not just within Latvia.

As a result of the competition, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will implement six research projects in the fields of medicine, health sciences, and social sciences, starting on 1 January 2026.

• RSU researchers will seek solutions for the early diagnosis of abdominal mucosal inflammation using machine learning methods. The study will also investigate the use of bacteriophages as a potential alternative diagnostic and therapeutic approach, particularly in cases where antibiotic resistance is observed.
• In dentistry, RSU researchers will conduct in-depth research into how gene transfer affects the oral microbiome in cases of chronic gum inflammation.
• The funding will enable the RSU Institute of Oncology and Molecular Genetics to continue its research into the impact of microelements and environmental factors on breast cancer risk and treatment effectiveness.
• The RSU Institute of Microbiology and Virology will test the hypothesis that the spike protein of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) affects immune system cells in long COVID-19 patients and in vaccinated individuals who have not contracted COVID-19, many of whom show herpes virus activation.
• The RSU Pharmaceutical Education and Research Centre will develop a smart injectable hydrogel containing nanoparticles to treat bone inflammation more effectively and reduce the need for repeated surgeries.
• The Social Sciences Research Centre will analyse how residents of the Latgale border region maintain daily life and democracy through mutual support in an area facing depopulation, economic and security challenges, and growing geopolitical tensions.

Although the return on investment in engineering, technology, and medicine seems more tangible, research into social sciences and humanities is equally important because these fields are the foundation of national identity. Research in these fields provides a comprehensive understanding of human life, society, and culture. To develop secure, inclusive, and future-oriented policies and economies, we must base them on knowledge of our society. In Latvia, every person is valuable. Therefore, sorting science by profitability risks undermining our democracy and limiting future opportunities.