On 10 April, scientists gathered (both in person and online) for the BioPhoT platform’s Info Day. Participants were introduced to the application procedure, project selection criteria, the importance and scope of mentoring, and had the opportunity to ask questions and consult individually with mentors and experts.
The main task of the meeting was outlined by Osvalds Pugovičs, BioPhoT Platform Manager and Deputy Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis – helping scientists to prepare for the project selection stage, where they will be evaluated not by scientists, but by business people.
The first selection round consists of a 5-minute presentation of the project followed by a panel discussion with BioPhoT experts. During the preparation period, mentoring support is available to project applicants.
"The first round will be passed by projects whose authors are able to concisely and clearly answer key questions – what specific problem in the industry or economy can be solved in this way? Why is the proposed idea a viable way to solve it? How is this solution better than existing ones?" the selection criteria of BioPhoT is described by Ģirts Ozoliņš, one of the platform mentors and senior expert at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia.
As part of the BioPhoT initiative, the Ministry of Economics has mandated Latvian research institutions and scientists over the next eight years to develop research projects in specific areas (biomedicine & medicine, pharmacy, photonics, smart materials, electronics, and engineering systems), resulting in benefits to the national economy.
The first successful projects will be allocated a total of €6 million in funding, with up to €200 000 per project. The second BioPhoT project call is planned for autumn this year.
