Development of science diplomacy in Lithuania

Problem

The concept of science diplomacy in Lithuania is relatively new. Although many institutions conduct science diplomacy in various forms—for example, by carrying out joint scientific projects with foreign partners or by promoting Lithuania’s scientific achievements abroad—such initiatives are often isolated, fragmented, and temporary. In 2025, the European Commission announced the new European Framework for Science Diplomacy aimed at encouraging member states to use science diplomacy as a tool to achieve the EU’s strategic goals. However, an analysis of Lithuania’s strategic documents shows that the country lacks direction, systematic planning, and well-considered decisions in this field.

Lithuania’s strategic documents demonstrate an ambition to position the country as a leader in science and technology in the region. In Lithuania’s national vision for the future ‘Lithuania 2050’, the country is envisioned as “a partner of the world’s strongest universities, corporations, and states within the transatlantic innovation space,” with an emphasis on the need for networked diplomacy and a desire to engage in breakthrough technology research.

This perspective is also reflected in the National Security Strategy, the National Progress Plan, the Government’s Programme, and the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These documents include measures meant to strengthen cooperation and expand horizontal relations with allied countries (the USA, Poland, Germany, the Nordic and Baltic states, and partners in the Indo-Pacific), as well to promote the internationalisation of higher education and the technology ecosystem.

Nevertheless, there is a gap between the current situation and the stated objectives which is caused by several factors. First, both financial and human resources available to Lithuania’s scientific and research community are extremely limited. According to the data provided by the State Data Agency of Lithuania, in 2023, the total R&D expenditure in Lithuania accounted for only 1.05% of GDP, while the EU average was 2.2%. In terms of the share of the population engaged in research activities, Lithuania was ahead only of Cyprus, Romania, Latvia, and Slovakia.

Second, Lithuania’s science, research, and innovation institutions participate in international projects only to a limited extent and often lack the experience necessary to fully leverage their scientific potential. Lithuanian institutions secured €183.3 million from the latest Horizon budget, which represents just 0.37% of the program’s total budget. Lithuania had 630 participants in the program, but only 191 were unique participants. Both indicators amount to less than one percent compared to participants from other countries, and in both cases Lithuania ranks 22nd out of 27 countries.

Third, both scientific, research and innovation institutions and state institutions rarely coordinate their actions in the field of science diplomacy, which means that the already limited resources are not fully utilised. At the state level, discussions on science diplomacy have only recently begun. The first inter-institutional discussion on the topic was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June 2024.

Goal

The goal of the project is to create Lithuania’s strategic guidelines for science diplomacy, which would help consolidate resources in this field.

Participants

2025/26

Dominykas Kaminskas

2025/26

Monika Whittingham