Lithuanian and French researchers were encouraged to participate more actively in the "European horizon" through joint projects in the field of health

More joint Lithuanian-French research in the field of health is expected in the European Union’s research and innovation program “Horizon Europe”. Researchers from both countries discussed this perspective to strengthen cooperation at the hybrid conference “Lithuanian-French scientific cooperation in Horizon Europe: results and perspectives” on October 20th, 2021.

France institutions and researchers have been Lithuania’s second largest partners for many years. EU Research and Innovation 2014-2020 Horizon 2020 has established over a thousand researcher collaborations with France.

Chairman of the Lithuanian Science Council prof. Romas Baronas mentioned in his speech: “We are happy with the current cooperation between Lithuanian and French researchers and look to the future. We all know and agree that a good partnership is key to success in research and innovation. ”

Thomas Buffin, Director of the French Institute in Lithuania: “For the French Institute in Lithuania, as one of the organizers, this conference is part of a strategy to mobilize the French scientific potential to create and participate in European research cooperation projects and networks. Strengthening scientific relations between our two countries is a key priority of the strategic partnership that binds them and strengthened during the visit of the President of the French Republic to Lithuania last year. Therefore, it is very important to support joint projects of all Lithuanian and French researchers organized under European programs, especially by participating in the European Horizon program.

The conference presented examples of successful relationships, opportunities to prepare for joint projects and find partners. The conference was attended by researchers from the University of Upper Alsace, the University of Bordeaux, the Gustave Roussy Institute of Oncology, the University of Liège, the French Institute for Medical Research, and the French National Research Center. Lithuania was represented by researchers from the Center for Innovative Medicine, Kaunas Clinics, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Santara Clinics, Vilnius University and other institutions.

The conference was organized by the National Contact Points (NCPs) of the Lithuanian Science Council, the LINO office in Brussels and the French Institute in Lithuania.

Since 2010, the Lithuanian Science Council has been implementing the Lithuanian-French research cooperation program Žiliberas and is financing bilateral mobility and communication development projects.

The Lithuanian Science Council is a long-term partner of the French National Research Agency (ANR) in international European Union programs: 33 public to public partnerships (P2P) FP7, H2020 programs and 4 Joint Programming Initiatives. Initiatives, JPI). The institutions co-financed 12 Lithuanian-French research projects.

Agenda of the event and slides of the speakers:

14.00–14.05 Dr. Romas Baronas, the Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania: Welcome words
14.05–14.15 Alix Everard Ambassador of France in Lithuania (TBC): Reminder of the importance of European cooperation in the field of research, PFUE, role of contact and information of the French Embassy
14.15–14.25 Thomas Buffin, director of the Institut Français: Bilateral action of France – role of the IF in the scientific cooperation
14.25-14.35 Sandra Brikaitė, the Head of Export and Investments Promotion Division, External Economic Relations and Economic Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Zita Duchovskienė, the Head of Technology and Innovation Division, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport

14.35–16.15 DISCUSSION

Part 1: European dimension of research – national priority

Pierre-Olivier PIN, Coordination manager international multilateral cooperation, Agence nationale de la recherche/ANR “ANR’s role in supporting French participation in the European Framework Programmes and building the ERA”

Jūratė Devižienė, International Programme Unit, Research Council of Lithuania “Cooperation with France in scientific projects”

Dr. Brigita Serafinavičiūtė, the Head of Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels – LINO “EU knowledge sharing networks in Brussels”

Part 2: Health – shared priority

Vania Rosas, NCP Health France, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation “Health funding opportunities in Horizon Europe”

Raimonda Janonienė, the Head of the Strategic Planning and Management Unit, Ministry of Health “Priorities of Lithuania in the health policy”

Part 3: From bilateral to European cooperation

Karine Mougin, Université de Haute Alsace – Mulhouse/CNRS and prof. Dr. Sigitas Tamulevičius, Kaunas University of Technology “Objectives, good practices, strengths and obstacles. Programme “Gilibert”

Good practice example in cooperation:

Neringa Šeperienė, UAB Albametrics