NewsFirst joint Nordic-Baltic research collaboration launched

First joint Nordic-Baltic research collaboration launched

For the first time ever, a Baltic country contributes to financing a Nordic-Baltic research collaboration on equal terms financially with the Nordic countries. The Research Council of Lithuania contributes with 510 000 NOK to the current call within the LILAN-programme (Living Labs in the North), which hereby opens also to Lithuanian research groups.

Living Labs is a methodology for user-driven research and innovation of new products, services and processes, as well as the organization that practices this. In Living Labs, the users are co-creators in the development process. The actual needs and working conditions of service providers and users make up the starting point. The LILAN-programme originates from a NORIA-net financed by NordForsk.

The call “Innovations in Cross-Border Living Lab Structures” opened in December 2009, and is now updated with the participation of Lithuania. The financiers are VINNOVA, Sweden, the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS), the Research Council of Norway, and now also the Research Council of Lithuania, in collaboration with NordForsk. Key objectives to this call is to strengthen the knowledge and research on Living Labs and user-driven innovation in the Nordic region, establishing new networks and making use of existing ones. Innovative products, services and concepts shall be developed and implemented with practical impact on society. New knowledge shall be developed across borders, and be made available to the public, contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the Nordic region.

Who can apply?

Projects must present an active collaboration between research, industry and public sector from minimum three of the five funding countries. Public and private entities, governmental agencies and research institutions/universities may apply.

Financing

The funds amount to 16,9 MNOK, and the individual project may receive funds in the range of MNOK 2-5 over a three year period. Deadline for applications is 5 March 2010.

Source: Nordic News Weekly 09.02.2010 Editor Countries / organization: Denmark Iceland Lithuania Norway Sweden Topic: High Tech Regions and Networks Innovation

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