Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA)

Anzelma ŪselienėInnovative Medicines Initiative Info day, Le

Meridien,Vilnius2012-09-14

Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) is the main governmental institution, responsible for implementation of innovation policy in Lithuania. It is a national innovation funding agency.

MITA was established in 2010 with the aim to foster business and science cooperation and to create a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in Lithuania. Our MISSION is to provide professional services aiming to foster the development of Lithuanian science, industry and services sectors based on advanced technologies and innovation.

The founders of MITA:

MITA – NEW INNOVATION FUNDING AGENCY

MITA has a strategic goal to stimulate applied research, technological development and innovation in Lithuania.

Important tasks:• to concentrate expert and financial resources(including the EU structural support);• to support applied research, technologicaldevelopment and innovative projects;• to strengthen the clustering processes and public-private partnership;• to develop the innovation management skills,especially in research commercialization, technologytransfer or intellectual property processes.

MITA: GOALS&TASKS

MITA: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordination of national R&D programmes:• High Technology Development Programme for 2011–2013,• Industrial Biotechnology Development Programme for Lithuania for 2011–2013.

Coordination of national initiatives to foster the implementationof innovation:• Innovation vouchers,• Industrial property rights,• Clusterization.

Coordination of international R&D and innovation programmes:• FP7• EUREKA • EUROSTARS • CIP (Eco-innovation)

MITA: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

International cooperation• Lithuanian and Israel cooperation agreement in industrial R&D field,• Participation in international networking activities (FP7 national contact point’s network, EUREKA national coordinators network and etc.),• Membership in TAFTIE (The European Association of leading national innovation agencies).

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

High technology development programme for 2011-2013

The aim of the programme is to help to develop worldwide perspective high-tech trends with scientific potential, which makes it possible to create new products competitive in a global market.The main objectives are to develop five technology trends for research and experimental development activities:

• Biotechnology,• Mechatronics,• Laser technology,• Information technology,• Nanotechnology and electronics.

NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

Industrial Biotechnology Development Programme for Lithuania for 2011–2013

The aim of the programme is to accelerate biotechnology industry development in Lithuania.

The major objectives of the programme:

• To create materials and products from renewable raw materials using biotechnological methods;• To create bio-plastics and materials to produce itfrom renewable raw materials using biotechnological methods;• To create new biocatalysts and develop its application technologies;• To create pharmaceutical and veterinary products.

OTHER NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Innovation Vouchers - “quick money”

In 2010, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic ofLithuania introduced a new instrument to promoteinnovations in SMEs – innovation vouchers toencourage co-operation between business and researchinstitutions.Innovation voucher is a small credit that entitles SME’sto buy R&D expertise or knowledge from research andeducational institutions.

The appeal of the innovation vouchers scheme is relatedto its simplicity and low administrative burden bothfor beneficiaries and administrators. MITA is the mainadministrative institution of this scheme.

OTHER NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Protection of Industrial Property Rights

A strong industrial property rights system is a drivingforce for innovation, stimulating R&D investment andfacilitating the transfer of knowledge from the laboratoryto the marketplace.In Lithuania there is a special national tool aimed to givefinancial support for the protection of industrial propertyrights that covers the patents of inventions and designat the European and international level. The nationalsupport is oriented to the acquirement of a Europeanpatent or a patent issued under the Patent CooperationTreaty and to the registration of a Community design ora design registered under the Geneva Act of the HagueAgreement.MITA is responsible for the administration of this tooland provides national financial support for business andresearch organizations.

OTHER NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Clusterization

MITA is taking an active role in clusterization process. Acting as a facilitator / coach itrepresents the state’s interests. The main task - to identify new potential clusters, to coordinate their activities, to assist young clusters to present their products and services internationally.Starting from 2011 MITA is implementing the project KLASTER.LT on fostering internationalization of partnership between business and science, which is financedby EU structural funds. In the course of implementation of thisproject meetings with business and science representatives seeking for expert advice andmatchmaking opportunities are organized.

The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) is the European Union’s chief instrument for funding of research in Europe covering almost all scientific disciplines.FP7 is designed to support a wide range of participants: from universities, through public authorities to small enterprises and researchers.MITA together with the Research Council of Lithuania participates in FP7 national contact points network providing information about the programme in Lithuania.

MITA is responsible for coordination of FP7 themes: Health; Food,Agriculture and Biotechnology; Information and communication technologies; Nano science, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies; Research for the benefit of SME’s; Regions of Knowledge; Energy; Transport; Security; Space and EURATOM.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES: FP7

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES:EUREKA

EUREKA is an intergovernmental network, aimed to support market-oriented R&D and innovation projects led by industry, research centers and universities across all technological sectors.It is composed of 41 members, including the European Commission. With its flexible and decentralized network, EUREKA offers to project partners rapid access to skills and expertise across Europe and national public and private funding schemes.

MITA participates in national programme coordinators network providing information, consultation and partners search services for Lithuanian participants. The main task of MITA is to ensure national funding for projects.

MITA participates in national programme coordinators network providing information, consultation and partners search services for Lithuanian participants. The main task of MITA is to ensure national funding for projects.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES:EUROSTARS

EUREKA’s Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to researchperforming small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Eurostars stimulates them to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding. The projects of Eurostars are co-funded by the European Commission and 33 EUREKA member countries.

MITA participates in national programme coordinators network providing information, consultation and partners search services for Lithuanian participants. The main task of MITA is to ensure national funding for projects.

MITA participates in national programme coordinators network providing information, consultation and partners search services for Lithuanian participants. The main task of MITA is to ensure national funding for projects.

CIP: ECO-INOVATION INITIATIVE

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) supports innovation activities, provides better access to finance and delivers business support services in the regions.It covers entrepreneurship, SME policy, industrial competitiveness, innovation, ICT development and use, environmental technologies and intelligent energy. The CIP is expected to resultin greater coherence and more synergies between differentEuropean Community support measures.

MITA provides information about Eco-innovation initiative in Lithuania. This initiative bridges the gap between research and the market. It helps good ideas for innovative products, services and processes that protect the environment become fully-fledged commercial prospects, ready for use by businessand industry.

MITA provides free services for clients from business, science and public sectors, interested in possibilities to carry out research and innovation projects, develop strong cooperation relations with international partners and get national or EU financial support.EVENTSThe special events such as information days, trainings, seminars and etc. are organized for separate target audiences: scientists, entrepreneurs, young researchers, experts, and specialists from different business sectors. Topics related with coordinating programmes are various:• Presentation of calls for proposals,• Rules of participation,• Funding and legal issues,• Proposal/ report writing,• Project evaluation,• Project management,• Presentation of success

MITA: SERVICES FOR CLIENTS

CONSULTATIONS• Organization of “One-to-one meeting”,• “Hands-on support” - covering all stages ofthe project cycle, especially project writingphase.DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION• Dissemination of information (website,newsletter, leaflets, brochures, media),• Providing official statistics about Lithuanianparticipation in research and innovationprogrammes.PARTNERS SEARCH• Assistance in finding partners for research andinnovation projects.REGISTRATION OF EXPERTS• International experts are invited to performthe expertise of Lithuanian projects in differenttechnology sectors.

MITA: SERVICES FOR CLIENTS

FINANCIAL SUPPORT• Funding and co-funding of national and international projects;• Reimbursement of travel costs for international brokerage events.

Thank you for your attention!

www.mita.lt