Lithuania is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. The Law on Higher Education and Research states that the mission of higher education and research is to help ensure the country’s public, cultural and economic prosperity, provide support and impetus for a full life of every citizen of Lithuania, and satisfy the natural thirst for knowledge. The studies provided by Lithuanian higher education institutions are conducted on the basis of study programmes conferring degree and non-degree study programmes. There are two types of study programmes: university and college study programmes. Studies can be of continual or extended forms. On completion of either form of studies, graduates obtain an equivalent education.  

Since 1 January 2019, higher education studies have been broken down into four cycles:

1) short cycle – the acquisition of Lithuanina qualification framework Level V qualification;

2) the first cycle – Professional Bachelor’s and Bachelor’s level;

3) the second cycle – Master’s level;

4) the third cycle – Doctoral level.

Colleges together with VET schools can provide short-cycle studies. The first cycle Professional Bachelor’s study programmes may be delivered by colleges, whereas the first cycle Bachelor’s programmes may be offered by universities. Study programmes conferring a second cycle degree may be conducted by universities. Doctoral studies may be delivered at universities or universities in conjunction with research institutes.

University degree conferring study programmes can be integrated, combining the first and second cycles of studies.

Study programmes aimed at retraining that do not award a degree, may be offered by universities and colleges in the manner prescribed by legal acts.

According to the Lithuanian Classification of Education, short-cycle studies belong to level 5. Bachelor studies (both university and non-university) belong to level 6, Master studies to level 7, and Doctoral studies to level 8 (according to ISCED 2011).

The activities of the Lithuanian higher education system are regulated by the Law on Higher Education and Research recast 1 January 2017. 

Bachelor

Branches of study

First cycle studies may be implemented at universities and at colleges. Universities are higher education institutions that carry out international-level fundamental and applied research, experimental development and/or develop professional art. Along with that, university studies based on those activities are implemented. More than half of all teachers have to be scientists and/or recognised artists or doctor in the arts. Colleges (they are also higher education institutions) are oriented toward studies based on professional practice and applied research, experimental development and/or professional art. More than half of college teachers have to have at least 3 years’ experience of practical work in the taught field.

Studies at institutions of higher education are carried out in six study fields: bio-medical, physical, technological, social sciences, the humanities and the arts. The study fields are divided into groups of fields, and the latter into study areas. Branches of science form separate fields. The minister of education, science and sport approves a List of Study Fields and Study Field Groups.

General Requirements of Study Implementation states the study requirements. First cycle studies (not detailed, whether in university or in college) may constitute 180, 210 or 240 ECTS credits. In these credits:

1. At least 120 ECTS credits must be allocated to reach the study field goals. The practice and preparation of the final degree thesis include:

• The total amount of practice must constitute at least 15 ECTS credits in university studies and at least 30 ECTS credits in college studies.
• The final degree thesis and final examination must constitute at least 15 ECTS credits in university studies and at least 9 ECTS credits in college studies. When the studies are interdisciplinary, it is recommended to prepare one integral final degree thesis.

2. At most, 120 ECTS credits must be allocated to studies set by the higher education institution or chosen by the student. A student may improve his/her knowledge in the same field studies or expand his/her knowledge in other field modules (subjects). A student may study in adjoining field studies and choose pedagogical studies. A student may also have additional practice and improve digital competencies and other general skills, etc.

• Two field studies must meet the requirements of both study descriptors. Some credits may be allocated to elective studies, if parts of the goals match.
• At least 60 ECTS credits are allocated to teaching subject(s) and/or teacher training specialisation field studies. When a pedagogue of two or more subjects or a pedagogue of teacher training specialisation is prepared, modules are allocated up to 180 ECTS credits.
• 60 ECTS credits are allocated to acquire a pedagogical qualification. Out of these, 30 ECTS credits are allocated to teacher training field studies (including at least 3 ECTS credits for the final degree thesis) and 30 ECTS credits to pedagogical practice. The final degree thesis has to be related to the final degree thesis in the studied field or integrated into it.1.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the first cycle studies of higher education institutions, a person must have attained at least a secondary education and have passed at least one state Matura examination. In addition, his/her learning results must reach minimal indexes set by the Minister or Education, Science and Sport. The indexes are defined according to the person’s necessary readiness to study in a higher education institution. These indexes are set after consulting the Lithuanian University Rectors’ Conference and the Rectors’ Conference of Lithuanian University Colleges and published no later than two years before September 1 of the corresponding year. The Lithuanian High Schools Association for Centralised Admission (LAMA BPO) organizes a competition to admission for higher education institutions.

A competitive score is calculated by taking into account the secondary school achievement results, entrance examinations and other criteria established by the higher education institution. Applicants have the right to apply to more than one higher education institution. Applying for specialised programmes, such as the arts, an additional competition may be held by the higher education institution itself.

Subject to evaluation by the students’ representation, the list of competitive subjects according to the study fields and the principles of working out a competitive grade, the lowest passing entrance grade and other criteria are set by higher education institutions and are publicised no later than two years prior to the beginning of the respective academic year.

The total number of study places is established by the higher education institution taking into consideration the possibilities of assuring the quality of studies. After consideration of the higher education institutions’ suggestions, the minister of education, science and sport sets the minimum number of study seats in state high schools by study fields and cycles.

Contents of study curriculum

In preparing the study curricula, higher education institutions take into account a descriptor of a certain study field. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport or the higher education institution itself initiates the preparation or change of the study field descriptor according to the recommendations. The minister of education, science and sport approves study the field descriptors prepared and coordinated with higher education institutions.

Certain points that have to be reflected in study curricula are listed in the study field descriptors:

1. General provisions. Qualification levels and qualifications acquired after finishing university or college studies; the possible volume of study curricula, forms of study and admission requirements are listed here.
2. Study field (fields) concept and coverage. Possibilities and restrictions to implement studies of a certain field (fields) as adjoining studies.
3. General and special study results: a person’s knowledge, abilities, skills and competencies after finishing his/her studies, i.e., knowledge, its understanding and application; abilities to do research; special abilities; social abilities; personal abilities.
4. Teaching, studying and assessment.
5. Requirements for the implementation of studies. Minimal requirements for teachers’ qualifications, materials and methodical study base are listed.

Teaching methods

Modes of study are as follows: face-to-face class work, self-study hours and practical training. Different learning and teaching methods are used when studying: lectures, practical work, laboratory work, designing work, seminars, self-study hours, library work, group tasks, scientific research work, etc., as well as a combination of all these methods. Studies can be organised by way of distance learning. Face-to-face class work is organised in groups. Consultations can be individual. The duration of face-to-face class work is measured in academic hours. The duration of one academic hour is 45 minutes. Teachers of higher education institutions can use different methods of teaching. The materials or notes of lectures taught to students during the lectures are often put in the virtual environment of the higher education institution. Information technologies are widely used and implemented in the study process.

Students carry out fundamental and applied research, engage in the applied scientific activity, and take part in the research programmes of their own country and foreign countries. Apart from a scientific activities, the artistic activities of teachers and students oriented towards the artistic education of the public and the unity of art practice and studies is developed at higher education institutions.

All studying individuals can make use of the possibilities provided by the Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT). This network connects the libraries of universities, colleges, state research institutions and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

Students buy textbooks and other educational books or use those available in the stocks of libraries of higher education institutions.

Employability

The Law on Higher Education and Research states that 15 or 30 credits of first cycle studies must be set for practice in an actual work place. The possibility to practice at a potential employer’s workplace contributes to a student’s employability later or even during studies.

Along with that, high schools have their carreer centres, which provide students with various general and individual consultations. They also provide various employability training sessions and help to find practical placements and, later, a work-place. They also help employers find employees.

Civil society representatives, including employer representatives, can apply for a seat in the high school’s board.

Student assessment and progression

The assessment of students is made according to the procedure established by the Statute (Regulations) of Studies of each higher education institution. This procedure can differ at different universities or colleges; overall, however, several basic assessment principles and methods are in effect. The study programme is completed by assessing the competence of the graduate during a defence of the final degree thesis (project) and (or) during the final examinations.

The main form of progress assessment is an examination. In many higher education institutions, the number of examinations given in one examination session is limited. Achievements in some subjects may be assessed by giving students a ‘pass’ at credit tests, or the final assessment is obtained by cumulative assessment. The rules and procedures of the cumulative assessment, as well as the preparation of tasks, is the responsibility of the subject teacher. The examination (pass) results and written work are assessed in grades.

Students’ knowledge during examinations is assessed by assigning students grade points 1 to 10. The results of credit tests are assessed by assigning a ‘pass’ or ’fail’ grade. Higher education institutions can also lay down other principles of assessment. A positive assessment is one that is at least five points.

Students’ progression to a higher stage. Each higher education institution sets rules of progression to a higher stage in its Statute (Regulations) of Studies. According to higher education institution rules, regressive students may be excluded from the high school.

Certification

Upon completion of the first cycle study programmes, graduates are issued diplomas attesting to the qualification degree awarded and a diploma supplement. The diploma supplement is an integral part of the diploma providing a description of the nature, level and content of the studies that were successfully completed by the individual named in the diploma (studied subjects, credits allocated to them, received assessments).

Second Cycle Programmes

Master study programmes are designed to prepare individuals for independent research (artistic) activities or any other work the performance of which requires scientific knowledge and analytical competence. Master studies are carried out at universities where the research (artistic) activities that are in line with the study field are conducted. Upon completion of the Master study programme a student is awarded a Master’s Degree in the respective study field.

Master study programmes can be of different orientation, however, they have to comply with the profile of the university and meet labour market demands. The nature of the Master study programme must be specified and motivated in a description of the Master study programme. It is obligatory to clearly formulate the aims of studies in the description of each Master study programme and relate them to the study results (knowledge, competences and skills) acquired by the graduate who has completed that study programme. The aims of study and formulation of the graduate’s competence must reveal the orientation of the study programme. The aims and contents of the subjects being studied, study methods, and requirements to the applicants are based on the aims of the Master study programme.

Qualification of the academic and research staff of the Master study programme and the facilities of the studies must be sufficient to achieve the aims and purpose of the study programme. If the Master study programme have a practical activity element, teachers’ must have experience of practical work and the university must cooperate with social partners in organising the students’ practical work. When a study programme whose aims are related to inter-field studies is carried out, subjects of another field are also studied alongside the basic subjects of the field and the university’s experience in both fields of studies is necessary. This experience must be proved by articles prepared at that university and publicised in scientific or professional journals, projects that have been successfully carried out and implemented, and also participation of social partners in drawing up study programmes and carrying them out.

Branches of study

Studies at institutions of higher education are carried out in six study fields: bio-medical sciences, physical sciences, technological sciences, social sciences, the humanities and arts. Study fields are divided into groups of fields, and the latter are divided into branches. Branches of science form separate fields.

The Government approves the list of study areas and fields according to which studies at higher education institutions are conducted

The Minister for Education and Science approves the list of branches that constitute study fields.

Admission requirements

Persons who have a qualification of higher education are admitted to the study programmes of the second cycle in the procedure established by the higher education institution. Persons with a Professional Bachelor’s Degree may enter the study programmes of the second cycle if they meet the minimum requirements approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Curriculum

Master study programmes and the scope of units and separate subjects are determined by the study credits and must be the same irrespective of the study mode (continual or extended). The modes of studies, the duration of studies and the timetable are established taking into consideration the safety and health requirements of the students approved by the university, and the duration of extended studies is established taking into account the possibility to combine studies and other occupations of the students (at work, duties in the family and others).

The Master study programme must be regularly updated. During the accreditation of the programme, by decision of the Senate, the University can change up to 30% of the study subjects of the programme field. Changes are announced on the webpage of the University. If during the accreditation period the scope of the study subjects of the field is changed by more than 30% or two or more study programmes are joined, the study programme is assessed and accredited according to the Description of the Procedure of the External Assessment and Accreditation of Study Programmes approved by order of the Minister for Education and Science.

Persons who have completed the first cycle of university studies and who meet the requirements set by the university or individuals who have completed the first cycle and additional studies and who satisfy the requirements set by the university are admitted to Master studies.

Additional studies are organised when a person has completed college studies with the exception of cases when the Senate of the University decides that it suffices for an applicant for specific study programmes to have experience of at least one-year practical activity of the nature and duration established by the University, or when the field of the Master study chosen does not coincide with the major or minor field of the university study programme of the first cycle completed by the applicant, with the exception of cases when the Senate of the University decides that it suffices for an applicant for specific study programmes to have experience of a practical activity of the nature and duration established by the University.

The Description of the Master Study Programme specifies what field or fields (branch or branches) of the first cycle studies the person admitted to study according to that study programme must have completed, and in every case it indicates in what particular cases additional studies are necessary prior to commencing the Master studies. The University establishes a list of study subjects and defines the curriculum. During these studies a student must acquire the competence necessary for successful Master studies that was not, however, awarded during the studies of the first cycle. When the field of the Master studies chosen by the applicant and the study field of the first cycle completed belong to the same group of study fields, the scope of additional studies cannot exceed 60 ECTS study credits; when the Master study field chosen by the entrant belongs to a group of study fields other than the study field of the first cycle that he/she completed, the scope of additional studies cannot exceed 90 ECTS study credits; if a candidate for Master studies lacks more knowledge and abilities than the additional studies can give him/her, he/she must acquire this knowledge and abilities by studying according to the first cycle studies programme.

The University can set additional requirements (both permanent and temporary) for applicants admitted to all or certain study programmes: the minimum level of completion of first cycle studies (the minimum average of all or some grades), necessary experience of a scientific or practical activity and other academic, competence or professional requirements.

The scope of the Master study programme is no less than 90 and not more than 120 ECTS study credits. Of these:

• at least 60 ECTS study credits must be subjects of the field, which, from the point of view of content, must be of a qualitatively higher problematic or innovative scientific level than the subjects of the first study cycle of the relative field of knowledge that form the basis for the former ones;
• at least 30 ECTS study credits can consist of subjects established by the University and chosen by a student depending on the orientation of the study programme devoted to preparing for doctoral studies (research work (a work of art), a practical activity (practical work of a professional activity) or subjects of another field when the study programme whose aims are related to inter-field studies is carried out, as well as general subjects of university studies and subjects freely chosen by a student, which are necessary to achieve the aims of the study programme;
• at least 30 ECTS study credits are devoted to preparing and defending the final degree thesis or the final degree thesis (project) and the final examination (final examinations if they are established by legal acts of Lithuania or international legal acts).

Not more than five subjects can be studied each semester. Study subjects in the relevant field taken in the first cycle cannot be repeated. Self-study hours of the students must account for at least 30% of the scope of each study subject. Studies of every subject or module are completed by an examination or an assessment of the work (project) prepared by a student independently. If the system of cumulative assessment is used, intermediary assessments can constitute a part of the examination grade.

At least 80% (or 60%when the study programme is oriented towards a practical activity) of all teachers of the study subjects must have a scientific degree (be established artists), and the field of a scientific activity of at least 60% (or 40%when the study programme is oriented towards a practical activity) of the teachers of the field subjects must conform to the subjects being taught by them. If the study programme is oriented towards a practical activity, up to 40% of the teachers teaching the subjects of the field can be practitioners who, during the past seven years, have gained at least three-year’s experience of the professional activity that complies with the subjects being taught. Experience of the professional activity specified in this point is obligatory for teachers of applied subjects specified in the description of the programme. At least 20% of the scope of the subjects in the field must be taught by teachers holding the academic rank of Professor.

The final degree thesis must be based on independent scientific research or applied investigations and application of knowledge, or it must be prepared as a project revealing abilities that are in line with the aims of the programme. Thereby, in his/her final degree thesis (project), a candidate for a Master’s degree must demonstrate the level of his/her knowledge and understanding, the ability to analyse the chosen theme, assess other people’s work done in this field (branch), learn independently and carry out investigations in this field (branch), describe the research work that he/she has carried out, formulate conclusions of his/her research work clearly and reasonably according to the requirements set by the University. Through his/her final degree project a candidate for a Master’s degree must reveal the level of creativity and the ability to apply the latest practical knowledge and technologies in his/her creative work.

The final Master’s degree project in the area of art studies must be a creative project and a written research work related to that project describing the new ideas, knowledge and technologies used in the project.

The Commission on the Final Degree Thesis (Project) Assessment and Defence must consist of competent specialists in the study field (branch), namely, scientists (artists), practitioners–professionals, and representatives of social partners. At least one member of the Commission (in the best case this is the Chairman of the Commission) must be from another research and higher education institution than that in which the Master’s degree studies were carried out. The composition of the Final Examination Board, when such an examination is provided for in the study programme, must also be the same. The same protection of intellectual property or (and) commercial secrets is applied to the final degree thesis (project) as to published research (art) work.

Teaching methods

Study forms include contact hours, individual work and practical training. Various forms of delivery are used: lectures, seminars, laboratory work, project design, students’ independent work, library work, group tasks, research work etc. as well as a combination of these forms. Higher education can be pursued in the form of distance studies, too. Class work (contact hours) is organised in groups. Consultations may be given on an individual basis. The duration of class work is measured by the academic hour (45 minutes). The teaching staff in HEIs may use various methods in their work. The materials delivered during lectures or notes of lectures are often available on the Internet. ITs are widely employed in the study process.

Students carry out research in applied and fundamental sciences and take part in local and international research programmes. In higher art schools, apart from research, academic staff and student artistic activities directed toward promoting unity of higher education and creative work as well as educating society at large are developed.

All students have access to the Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT). This network integrates the libraries of universities, colleges, public research institutions and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences into a Lithuanian virtual library.

Students buy textbooks and other teaching aids or avail themselves of the funds of libraries of higher education institutions.

Progression of students

Every higher education institution defines the circumstances under which students progress from one stage of studies to the next in its Statute (Regulations) of Studies. Low-achieving students may be excluded from the higher education institution in the manner established by each higher education institution.

Employability

The majority of higher education institutions of Lithuania have established their own career centres, which provide students with different consultations of a general nature and individual consultations, provide training on employment issues, help students find places to do practical work, and later to find a job, and help employers find employees.

Youth labour centres in cities and districts provide similar services. They provide young people with services of open information, counselling, professional information and guidance, organise meetings with labour market and social partners, carry out project activities encouraging employment initiatives of the youth, organise different activities (labour clubs, training sessions) and prepare information–methodological material.

At present, in implementing different projects financed from the EU structural funds, higher education institutions devote much attention to developing students’ entrepreneurship competence and organising their practical work in companies.

In 2010, the Seimas approved the package of proposals for reducing unemployment, thereby providing more possibilities for people starting work and small business, and also creating conditions for extending financing of public works, etc. The Amendment to the Law on the Support of the Unemployed includes the youth up to the age of 29 years in the list of supported individuals. In this way, those previously unemployed people under 29 years of age who qualify for subsidies, once employed, will receive a wage reimbursement for up to 6 months, and individuals who start work for the first time according to the acquired qualification and who participate in the measure of gaining work skills will receive a wage reimbursement for up to 12 months. Earlier, according to the Law on the Support of Employment of Lithuania, young people under the age of 29 years were not attributed to the group of individuals additionally supported in the labour market, and, therefore, had no right to qualify for subsidies when employed if they did not belong to other groups of individuals supported in the labour market.

By order of the Minister for Social Security and Labour for 2013, the EU Council Recommendation for the Youth Guarantee initiative is being implemented. The purpose of the Youth Guarantee initiative is to activate and motivate young people within the shortest time, maintaining links with the labour market and providing the opportunity for further education. The aim is to reduce youth unemployment and improve the situation of young people, who have no work or no education by helping them to find a job after they complete their education.

As of 1 August 2012, a tool dedicated to promoting youth employment ‘Support for first job’ is running. Employers, who employ workers with no previous work experience, receive partial compensation for the wage of an employee if it is their first job. Support form – partial wage compensation. At the employer’s request , the employer will receive fixed compensation for part (23.3% of the calculated employee salary) of an employee’s monthly salary if it is the first job for the employee who is between 19 and 26 years of age. By the end of September 2014, 22,545 claims for partial wage compensation were received under the ‘Support for first job’ tool. Of these 16,296 requests were positively received. To date 2,249 companies have received EUR 5.06 million for employing 15,508 first time workers. This tool is being implemented by the guarantee institution INVEGA.

Student assessment

Assessment of students is carried out in the manner prescribed by the study regulations of each higher education institution. The rules and procedures vary between different universities or colleges; however, on the whole, there are some basic assessment principles and modes that must be followed. A study programme is completed by assessing the competence acquired by the graduate through the defence of the final degree thesis (project) and (or) final examinations.

The main form of progress assessment is an examination. In many higher education institutions the number of examinations given in one examination session is limited. Achievements in some subjects may be assessed by giving students a ‘pass’ at a credit test or the final assessment is obtained by cumulative assessment. The rules and procedures of the cumulative assessment, as well as the preparation of tasks is the responsibility of the subject teacher. The examination (pass) results and written work are assessed in grades.

The results of examinations and graded credit tests are assessed by assigning students grade points 1 to 10, the results of credit tests are assessed by assigning a ‘pass’/’fail’ grade. Higher education institutions can lay down other principles of assessment, too. A positive assessment is one that is not lower than five points.

Certification

Upon completion of the study programmes of the second cycle, a graduate is issued a diploma and a diploma supplement attesting to the qualification degree awarded. The diploma supplement is an integral part of the diploma providing a description of the content of the education obtained.

Third Cycle (PhD) Programmes

Studies of the third cycle are carried out during doctoral studies in science and art. The purpose of doctoral studies is to train scientists who are able to conduct research and experimental (social, cultural) development work and solve scientific problems independently. Granting the right to provide doctoral programmes to universities and universities together with research institutes in which high level research in line with the field of science, or the universities together with foreign research and higher education institutions falls within the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science. The right is granted on the basis of assessment of a respective level of research carried out in the field of science of the institutions claiming to provide doctoral studies in science. Upon defending the doctoral thesis, a doctoral student is awarded a Doctorate degree.

The purpose of doctoral studies in art is to train artists–researchers who are able to create, interpret and carry out research based on art practice. Granting universities the right to provide doctoral programmes falls within the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science. The right is granted on the basis of the assessment of the artistic and scientific activity of the institution claiming to provide doctoral studies in art. Upon defending the art project, a doctoral student is awarded a Doctorate degree.

A Doctorate degree can be awarded to an individual who has successfully completed full-time continual doctoral studies (up to four years) or extended doctoral studies (up to six years), prepared a thesis and defended it, or to an individual who has defended the prepared thesis externally. The total scope of the doctoral studies in science is not less than 30 ECTS credits.

Granting the right to provide doctoral programmes in science to a university or a university together with other Lithuanian and (or) foreign universities and (or) research institutes in which high level scientific research is carried out falls within the competence of the Ministry of Education and Science following the Description of the Procedure for Granting the Right to Provide Doctoral Programmes in Science approved by the Ministry.

At least every three years, the Science Council of Lithuania organises, in accordance with the procedure established by the Science Council of Lithuania, an assessment of the quality and efficiency of doctoral studies carried out by the institution (institutions) and puts forward proposals to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. The compliance of the doctoral studies being carried out with the rules and procedures of doctoral studies in science and the Regulations on Doctoral Studies, the ratio between doctoral students and scientists awarded a Doctorate degree, the career of the latter and other indicators are assessed.

The institution (institutions) that has (have) the right to provide doctoral studies awards (award) a degree to the individual who has defended the thesis and issues (issue) a diploma to him.

A Doctorate degree in art can be awarded to an individual who has successfully completed doctoral studies (usually over four years), prepared and defended an art project, or to an individual who has passed the necessary exams and defended the prepared art project. The scope of doctoral studies in art is 240 ECTS study credits, including at least 40 study credits devoted to the study of the doctoral programme subjects.

The Ministry of Education and Science grants the right to provide doctoral programmes in art to a university (universities) in compliance with the Description of the Procedure for Granting the Right to Provide Doctoral Programmes in Art approved by the Ministry. The right is granted on the basis of the assessment of the level of the artistic and scientific activity of the universities that apply for provision of doctoral studies, documents of doctoral programmes, study infrastructure submitted by them and projected cooperation agreements on doctoral studies concluded with Lithuanian and (or) foreign research and higher education institutions.

At least every four years (in the case of doctoral studies established for the first time – after six years), the Ministry of Education and Science commissions  the Science Council to organise an assessment of the quality and efficiency of doctoral studies in art following the Description of the Procedure for Assessing the Quality and Efficiency of Doctoral Studies in Art approved by the Ministry and puts forward proposals to the Ministry of Education and Science.

Organisation of doctoral studies

Studies at institutions of higher education are carried out in six study areas: bio-medical, physical, technological, social sciences, the humanities and arts. Study areas make groups of fields, and these fields are divided into study branches. Branches of science form different fields.

The Government approves the list of study areas and fields according to which studies at higher education institutions are conducted. the Minister for Education and Science approves the list of branches that constitute study fields.

Admission requirements

When admitting individuals to the third cycle studies, the results of the lower or the same study cycle, as well as other criteria established by a higher education institution, must be taken into account.

Status of doctoral students/candidates

Doctoral studies candidates have the status of student. They are issued a student’s certificate and receive all guarantees and support provided by the state.

Teaching methods

Students carry out fundamental and applied research, engage in applied scientific activity, and take part in the research programmes of their own country and foreign countries. Apart from scientific activity, the artistic activity of teachers and students oriented towards the artistic education of the public and the unity of art practice and studies is developed at higher education institutions.

All doctoral students can make use of the possibilities provided by the Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT). This network connects libraries of universities, colleges, state research institutions and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

Students buy textbooks and other educational books or use the ones available in the stocks of libraries of higher education institutions.

Employability

The majority of higher education institutions of Lithuania have established their own career centres, which provide students with different consultations of a general nature and individual consultations, provide training on employment issues, help students find places to do practical work, and later to find a job, and help employers find employees.

Youth labour centres in cities and districts provide similar services. They provide young people with services of open information, counselling, vocational and professional information and guidance, organise meetings with labour market and social partners, carry out project activities encouraging youth employment initiatives, organise different activities (labour clubs, training sessions) and prepare information-methodological material.

At present, in implementing different projects financed from the EU structural funds, higher education institutions devote much attention to developing students’ entrepreneurship competence and organising their practical work at business companies.

In 2010, the Seimas approved the package of proposals for reducing unemployment, thereby providing more possibilities for people starting work and small business, and also creating conditions for extending financing of public works, etc. The Amendment to the Law on the Support of the Unemployed includes the youth up to the age of 29 years in the list of supported individuals. In this way, those previously unemployed people under 29 years of age who qualify for subsidies, once employed, will receive a wage reimbursement for up to 6 months, and individuals who start work for the first time according to the acquired qualification and who participate in the measure of gaining work skills will receive a wage reimbursement for up to 12 months. Earlier, according to the Law on the Support of Employment of Lithuania, young people under the age of 29 years were not attributed to the group of individuals additionally supported in the labour market, and, therefore, had no right to qualify for subsidies when employed if they did not belong to other groups of individuals supported in the labour market.

By order of the Minister for Social Security and Labour for 2013, the EU Council Recommendation for the Youth Guarantee initiative is being implemented. The purpose of the Youth Guarantee initiative is to activate and motivate young people within the shortest time, maintaining links with the labour market and providing the opportunity for further education. The aim is to reduce youth unemployment and improve the situation of young people, who have no work or no education by helping them to find a job after they complete their education.

As of 1 August 2012, a tool dedicated to promoting youth employment ‘Support for first job’ is running. Employers, who employ workers with no previous work experience, receive partial compensation for the wage of an employee if it is their first job. Support form – partial wage compensation. At the employer’s request, the employer will receive fixed compensation for part (23.3% of the calculated employee salary) of an employee’s monthly salary if it is the first job for the employee who is between 19 and 26 years of age. By the end of September 2014, 22,545 claims for partial wage compensation were received under the ‘Support for first job’ tool. Of these 16,296 requests were positively received. To date 2,249 companies have received EUR 5.06 million for employing 15,508 first time workers. This tool is being implemented by the guarantee institution INVEGA.

Assessment

The assessment of students is carried out under  the procedure established by the Regulations on Doctoral Studies of each higher education institution.

Every higher education institution defines the circumstances under which students progress from one stage of studies to the next in its Statute (Regulations) of Studies. Low-achieving students may be excluded from the higher education institution in the manner established by each higher education institution.

Certification

Upon completion of doctoral studies and having defended the doctoral thesis, a diploma certifying a degree in science (art) is issued.

Mobility in Higher Education

Student mobility

Nationals of foreign countries come to study in Lithuania under various programmes of the European Union or other international exchange schemes, most often on their own initiative.

The Education Exchanges Support Foundation manages a range of activities that allow students to go abroad and broaden their horizons, gain experience or improve language learning. Depending on the specific activities chosen, students can also choose the duration of their studies or internship – from several weeks to a year – and also partial or complete studies. The choice of countries offered is quite significant, including not only EU and Nordic countries but also the so-called countries of the Third World. Students may apply for participation in the activities either on their own or through their home higher education institution. 

The Intensive Language Courses (EILC) provide a chance for ‘Erasmus+’ students to follow specialised courses in less widely used and less frequently taught languages. The courses are organised in countries where those languages are used as teaching languages at higher education institutions.

The ‘Erasmus+’ Intensive Programmes are meant to encourage an efficient and multinational teaching of special courses which are not included in standard study programmes. They create conditions for students and teachers to work together in multinational groups and benefit from the special teaching and learning environment, which helps them form a new approach to the subject being studied. In addition, they create an opportunity to look at the subject studied from a new perspective, share experience about the content of teaching and methodology of study programmes and test teaching methods in an international classroom environment.  

The ‘Erasmus+’ Student Mobility for Studies action enables students at higher education and research institutions to spend an integrated period of study in another country participating in the ‘Erasmus+’ Programme.

The said activities allow students to gain knowledge in the field of academic studies, language and culture, promote cooperation between institutions thus enriching the educational environment of host institutions. They contribute to the development of a pool of internationally experienced young people as future professionals and facilitate credit transfer and recognition of foreign studies under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) or equivalent credit system.   

Also, under the ‘Erasmus+’ programme, students can practice in an enterprise or organization in another ‘Erasmus+’ programme participating country. Participants can acquire specific skills to expand their understanding of concrete country’s economic and social culture, to gain practical experience in the organization of the EU, access to the EU labor market characteristics. 

Student Mobility activities within the Nordic countries Nordplus Higher Education Programme enable students of Bachelor and Master studies to secure study and work placement mobility in one of the countries participating in the Nordplus Programme. Students must study at a higher education institution that has signed a partnership agreement to conduct mobility activities with other higher education and research institutions in one of the countries participating in the Nordplus Programme. 

Summer courses for students, teachers and researchers are among the activities administered by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation. State scholarships for summer courses are awarded under international cooperation agreements in the fields of education, science and culture as well as under schemes for granting scholarships offered by foreign countries. 

The state also provides state scholarships according international cooperation agreements in education, science and culture, and according to the proposed foreign scholarships programmes. This activity provides an opportunity to get a scholarship for a period of I or II semesters of study in the chosen foreign research and educational institution or in degree studies (only in Switzerland, Iceland, Hungary, Japan).

The majority of those who arrive to study at Lithuanian higher education institutions are students from Asia and the Near East (Lebanon, Israel, Pakistan, China, Turkey, Jordan, etc.) and the neighbouring countries (Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Russia). Study programmes that enjoy the greatest popularity among foreign students are medical studies.

Recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad is accorded based on the Procedure of Regulations on Assessment and Academic Recognition of Qualifications Obtained Abroad Granting a Right to Higher Education and Qualifications Attesting to Higher Education approved by Government in 2012..According to the Regulations, the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education was appointed as an institution performing the assessment of qualifications obtained abroad granting a right to higher education and qualifications attesting to higher education. The Centre is also a member of the Network of European National Information Centres for Academic Recognition and Mobility (ENIC). The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education was delegated to perform the functions of the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).

The above mentioned legal act recognizes that foreign qualifications are equivalent to specific qualifications provided in Lithuania on condition that the assessment of the qualifications reveals no essential differences from the statutory requirements raised for the acquisition of similar qualifications in Lithuania.

Academic staff mobility

Key documents providing the basis for internationalisation of Lithuanian Higher Education (HE) and its major directions of development approved in 2013 by the Government is the Internationalisation of Higher Education Programme 2013-2016:

Other documents, such as the Law on Higher Education and Research, only indirectly regulate internationalisation of Lithuanian HE.

Seeking to achieve the objectives defined, the Programme on Internationalisation of Higher Education 2013–2016 sets out the following HE internationalisation guidelines, which are related to the promotion of academic staff mobility:

• Development of joint studies programmes and studies programmes in a foreign language.
• The consolidation of Academic staff’s competences of Lithuanian scientific and educational institutions.
• Attracting foreigners teachers.
• Making the possibilities to study for foreigners in Lithuania by developing the system of recognition of qualifications.
• Promotion the support system for foreign students.
• Reducing the barriers to entry for foreigners.
• Promotion of students’ mobility (period of studies and practice).
• Promotion of teachers’ mobility (period of studies and practice).
• Improving the quality of academic mobility.
• Strengthening the Lithuanian (Baltic) studies centers’ abroad.
• Supports provision for Lithuanians living abroad who join and study in Lithuania higher education institutions.
• Support of the relations with the Lithuanians living in the world.
• Promotion of cooperation between Lithuanian and foreign higher education institutions.
• Dissemination of higher education.
• Expantion of funding sources for Internationalisation of Higher Education.

Academic staff mobility in Lithuania is implemented under the following programmes: the EU ‘Erasmus+’ Programme, NordPlus Framework Programme for Nordic and Baltic countries, national programmes (award of state scholarships for research visits under international cooperation agreements in education, science and culture and scholarship award programmes offered by foreign states, a programme to support visiting lecturers from abroad, funding of research visits while implementing projects carried out with support from the European Union Structural Funds, etc.). The greatest staff mobility flows are supported under the EU higher education programmes, and a considerable number of researchers’ visits are funded through state programmes, especially in the recent years.

In Lithuania, the authorities and institutions responsible for organising and coordinating academic staff mobility are as follows:

• The Ministry of Education and Science;
• Education Exchanges Support Foundation (an institution within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Science);
• Research Council of Lithuania;
• Lithuanian institutions of higher education and research.

Institutions in charge of carrying out the programmes, such as the Education Exchanges Support Foundation and Research Council of Lithuania, submit annual reports on the implementation of the mobility actions and absorption of funds to the founders, i.e. relevant national authorities (e.g., the Ministry of Education and Science), the European Commission or other institutions coordinating various programmes in Lithuania and abroad.

On sending the teaching staff abroad for the purpose of teaching or training, higher education institutions are committed (according to the requirements of the programme) to pay the teacher his/her salary during the term of the short-term visit, ensure his/her return to the workplace after the visit and recognise (in one way or other established by the institution) the teaching or study visit as, e.g., continuing professional development or at the time of the teacher’s certification.

The funding provided for the Lithuanian academic staff for their engagement in international mobility and exchange programmes usually covers additional expenses, such as travel and subsistence costs. Otherwise, they may be paid state scholarships (depending on the programme).

The average amount of the higher education institution teacher’s monthly salary is paid to the teacher throughout the mobility period when his/her study or teaching visit does not exceed one year. Research staff, other researchers and teachers may be paid, in addition to their official salary, a premium for the dissemination of their educational experience abroad. Research staff, other researchers and teachers may be also paid a premium for their participation in international projects related to various programmes of scientific and experimental (social and cultural) development.

EU programmes  

Consortiums of Higher Education Mobility

Consortiums of higher education mobility can be created for developing mobility of ‘Erasmus+’ higher education. The main aim of the consortium – combine and facilitate realization and administration of ‘Erasmus+’ mobility in higher education for the participants of consortium. The surplus value of mobility consortium of higher education is created by the possibility to share the responsibilities of the consortium participants. Joint activities of mobility consortium could be mobility management, contracting, selection of outgoing mobility participants, preparation and observation, etc.

Supported activities

Consortium of higher education mobility can realize the following activities:

• Students’ mobility for studies;
• Student s’mobility for practices;
• Academic staff’s teaching mobility;
• Administration or other non-academic staff’s mobility for learning purposes.
• The duration of the activity

Consortium of higher education mobility project’s duration is 16 or 24 months.

Potential beneficiaries

Consortium of higher education mobility members, which are higher education institutions, students, lectures and staff. Consortium member/members which is not high school, can not realize mobility of their staff.

Financial provisions

On the basis of the consortium mobility application information, the national agency shall grant to support a limited number of mobility activities. The grant consists of the following categories:

1. Financing mobility organization;
2. Financing students mobility grants;
3. Financing staff mobility travel and subsistence expenses. 

Student mobility for studies

This activity creates possibility for students from scientific and educational institutions (higher education and research institutes) to spend an integrated period of study in another country, participant of ‘Erasmus+’ programme. This activity allows to get knowledge about studies, languages and culture, promotes cooperation and enriches the host institutions educational environment, allows to expand the list of future specialists with good experience studying in foreign countries, facilitates the transfer of credit and recognition of studies abroad by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), or the equivalent credit system.

Supported activities

Period of studies in foreign higher education institution.

The duration of the activity

Study mobility may last from 3 to 12 months. ‘Erasmus+’ study duration can be extended (if it is less than one academic year and will last up to one year) only in individual cases, with the agreement of the sending and receiving institutions and in accordance with the following requirements:

• all changes related to bilateral agreements between institutions and between student and his home institution must be made in advance before the end of the current ‘Erasmus+’ study period;
• it is prohibited to extend studies after the current year summer holiday or after the end of the school year with ‘Erasmus+’ scholarship.

Studies mobility is also such period, which includes the study and practice activities one after the other, and organized by the same host educational and scientific institution. In such mixed mobility case may be combined, for example, one month of practice with two months of studies period.

Potential beneficiaries

Students registered in higher education institution holding an Erasmus Higher Education Charter (ECHE).

Responsible bodies

Mostly competitions are held in March-April and they are announced by the international relations departments of Lithuanian higher education institutions. Some institutions have a large number of participating students and they announce additional competition in fall.

Financial provisions

Scholarships for ‘Erasmus+’ studies 2014-2015

The Host Side	Mobility of studiesSum per month, EUR
Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweeden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway	500
Belgium, Czech, Germany, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Iceland, Turkey	400
Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia	300

Students from social supported groups (with exception of cases of special needs) can be additionally supported with 200 EUR per month. Students may be awarded with ‘Erasmus+’ scholarship to cover part of their travel and subsistence expenses during ‘Erasmus+’ study period in foreign country. Students receiving or not receiving the ‘Erasmus+’ scholarship are exempt from paying for studies at the host institution, but they pay usual taxes in their education institution during ‘Erasmus+’ studies period in other country. Any national scholarships or subsidies payment to outgoing students could not be stopped during their ‘Erasmus+’ study period in foreign country.

Student mobility for practice 

This activity allows practice in enterprise or organization in another participating ‘Erasmus+’ programme country. Participants can acquire specific skills to expand their understanding of some of the country’s economic and social culture, to gain practical experience in the organization of the EU, access to the EU labor market characteristics.

It is possible to have preparatory or repeating courses during practice time in host side language or working language. Students practice can take place in enterprises, training centers, research centers and other organizations.

Supported activities

• Practice, as part of the studies, realization in foreign enterprise or organization.
• Practice, as work experience after finishing studies, realization in foreign enterprise or organization.

The duration of the activity

Practice mobility may last from 2 to 12 months. ‘Erasmus+’ study duration can be extended (if it is less than one academic year and will last up to one year) only in individual cases, with the agreement of the sending and receiving institutions and in accordance with the following requirements:

• all changes related to bilateral agreements between institutions and between student and his home institution must be made in advance before the end of the current ‘Erasmus+’ study period;
• it is prohibited to extend studies after the current year summer holiday or after the end of the school year with ‘Erasmus+’ scholarship.

Studies mobility is also such period, which includes the study and practice activities one after the other, and organized by the same host educational and scientific institution. In such mixed mobility case may be combined, for example, one month of practice with two months of studies period.

Potential beneficiaries

Students registered in  higher education institution holding an Erasmus Higher Education Charter (ECHE).

Responsible bodies

Mostly competitions are held in March-April and they are announced by the international relations departments of Lithuanian higher education institutions. (in some higher education institutions invitations are announced by their career centers).

Financial provisions

Scholarships for ‘Erasmus+’ studies 2014-2015

The Host Side	Mobility of studiesSum per month, EUR
Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweeden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway	700
Belgium, Czech, Germany, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Iceland, Turkey	600
Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia	500

Students may be awarded with ‘Erasmus+’ scholarship to cover part of their travel and subsistence expenses during ‘Erasmus+’ study period in foreign country.

Any national scholarships or subsidies payment to outgoing students could not be stopped during their ‘Erasmus+’ study period in foreign country. Students themselves pay usual taxes in their education institution during ‘Erasmus+’ studies period in other country.

Every student has the right to use the programme for a maximum period of 12 months during each cycle of study (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral). This period is common to all types of mobility (studies, practice and practice during studies period and after studies).

Staff mobility training

This activity aims to make possibilities to the participants of education and research institutions to learn, to communicate information or technical knowledge in partner institution or in host enterprise and thereby gain practical skills appropriate to the current work and professional development.

Supported activities

Mobility of staff in education and research institutions covers the following directions:

• mobility of academic staff from one education and research institution to another or to enterprise for training purposes;
• mobility of administration or other non-academic staff from one education and research institution to the partner institution or to enterprise for training purposes.

Staff can participate in seminars, courses, workshops, study visits, etc..

The duration of the activity

From 2 days to 2 months (excluding travel days).

Potential beneficiaries

Staff of education and research institutions (academic and non-academic staff).

Financial provisions

Grant is paid only for the training period in the host institution. The grant is paid to cover travel and living expenses.

Staff mobility for teaching

This activity gives possibility for lectures of education and research institutions and for staff from visiting companies to teach in institutions of other countries, or possibility for lectures from other countries to teach in Lithuania. The lectures of ‘Erasmus+’ tutors must be integrated into the study programme of the host institution.

Goals of Erasmus teachers visits:

• to realize possibilities for students who are unable to participate in a mobility programme, to get knowledge and competence benefits from other European education and research institutions teachers;
• promote pedagogical methods of competence and experience, cooperation between education and research institutions and enterprises;
• to promote educational and research institutions to expand and enrich their choice of courses and content;
• promote mobility of students and staff..

Supported activities

Mobility of academic staff from education and research institutions and enterprise staff covers the following directions:

• mobility of academic staff from one education and research institution to another for teaching purposes;
• mobility of foreign company staff to education and research institution for teaching purposes.

The duration of the activity

From 2 days to 2 months (excluding travel days) and no less than 8 teaching hours per week.

Potential beneficiaries

Academic staff from education and research institutions (lectures) and invited staff from enterprises (employees).

Financial provisions

Mobility of ‘Erasmus+’ teachers from enterprises is realized by invitation from education and research institution to member of enterprise. In this case education and research institution is responsible for the individual grant. The subsidy is granted only to the teaching period in the host institution. The grant is paid to cover travel and living expenses.

Strategic partnerships

Strategic Partnerships are dedicated to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and interested sides (companies, research organizations, social partners, local/regional authorities, others education, training or youth sectors); promote quality and innovation in higher education.

Supported activities

– Development of new joint programmes, common courses, modules, intensive programmes;

– Cooperation with business companies;

– Exploitation of open educational resources, general and individual learning potential;

– Integration of different forms of studies (distance, modular, part time).

• The duration of the activity

The project duration is 2 or 3 years

Potential beneficiaries

Participating institutions staff and students.

Financial provisions

Financing model consists of the list of different categories of costs, and the applicants are selecting actual costs according to the planned activities and results to be achieved:

– Management and realization of the project;

– International meetings of the project partners;

– Teaching and learning visits;

– Intellectual products;

– Marketing events;

– Exceptional costs and special needs.

If the project involves exceptional costs, they will be funded only 75%. Other well grounded costs based on the project will be funded 100%. Most of the costs are calculated according the unit cost principle. 

Guarantees of subsidies for master studies

Centralized activity, administered by the European Commission, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, is dedicated for students seeking to study in a master’s programme in other country of their residence, where they earned a bachelor qualification.

Financial provisions

Subsidy:

1 year – up to € 12,000

2 years – up to € 18,000

Subsidy will be able to 200,000 master’s students.

Financial intermediaries, who will provide subsidies: the national banks or students subsidy agencies. The European Commission did not indicate a date each country’s financial intermediaries will be indicated, but it is expected that the first subsidies will be used for students who begin graduate studies at foreign universities since 2015. 

Joint Master’s programmes

Centralized activity – continuing the former Erasmus Mundus 1 activities.

Supported activities

This programme supports very high academic quality of Master’s Degree joint programmes, including scholarships system for students. During the period of such studies study at least in two different countries is compulsory, and award of joint degree (award of joint diploma) is given after such studies.

The duration of the activity

1 preparatory year + 3 admissions (max 5 years)

Financial provisions

Consortium management, student scholarships – total 2-3 million Euro. It is planned: 34,000 students and teachers, 350 JMP, budget – 1 billion Euro. 

Knowledge unions

International, structured and result-directed projects are financed under this centralized programme, promoting higher education and business cooperation.

Supported activities

– Projects for the all disciplines, sectors and inter-sector cooperation;

– Development and realization of new study programmes responsive to business needs;

– Promotion of business qualities for students, academic and enterprise staff;

– Exchange of experience.

The main emphasis of these projects – innovation, stability and impact.

• The duration of the activity

2 or 3 years

Development of potential 

Centralized – continuing the former Tempus programme activities.

Project goal – to improve the quality of higher education of the partner countries (institutional and national level).

Supported activities

There are 2 types of projects:

• Joint activity projects: study programmes, content, methodology upgrades, training (s), staff development, quality assurance, management, Bologna’s tools;

• Structural projects: AM reform at the national level (assistance to local authorities, political modernization, Bologna’s reform, management and AM system’s management, etc.);

• Additional activities and the development for the Eastern Partnership countries: the mobility of students and teachers.

The duration of the activity

2-3 years

Potential beneficiaries

Applications may be submitted on consortium, an may be presented by programme and higher education institution or association of higher education institutions from partner countries.

The consortium consists of at least one partner country (at least two education and research institutions) and not less than 3 Programme countries (at least one education and research institution from each country). The Ministry of partner country must take part in structural project consortium.

National programmes for organisation of teaching and research vizits

National programme for supporting foreign lecturers’ teaching visits at Lithuanian higher education institutions

The purpose of the programme for supporting foreign lecturers’ teaching visits at Lithuanian higher education institutions is to strengthen international competitiveness and attractiveness of Lithuanian higher education and attract high-skilled foreign lecturers to teach in Lithuanian higher education institutions.

Supported activities

Short-term visits of invited lecturers from abroad to teach in Lithuanian higher education institutions.

Duration of the activity

The duration of the teaching visit is from two weeks to two months (teaching should be included in the HEI study programme, course or module (modules) with at least 3 ECTS credits and at least ten contact hours of work with students per week).

Potential beneficiaries

Lecturers and researchers from foreign higher education institutions.

Responsible bodies

The Ministry of Education and Science which is responsible for organising the call for proposals and selection of the candidates.

The Education Exchanges Support Foundation responsible for the administration of the programme.

Financial provisions

Funding for the support of foreign lecturers’ visits is provided from the State Budget assignments to the Ministry of Education and Science.

Funding is allocated as a lump sum per individual visit. The amount of the funding depends on the qualifications of the invited lecturer (lecturer / associate professor / professor).

Support for research visits

Support for research visits is aimed at encouraging researchers’ continuing professional development, enhancing their international mobility and promoting the spread of information about the results of Lithuanian research at the international level. The support, which can be provided from the State Budget and/or European Union funds, is allocated to finance  teachers’, scientists’ and other researchers’ research visits (traineeships), participation at scientific conferences abroad and teaching at foreign higher education and research institutions. Support for scientific visits managed by the Science Council of Lithuania is the most popular type of support, compared to the support for organisation of events or support for academic associations.

Supported activities:

• participation at scientific conferences organised abroad;
• research visits (traineeships) at foreign higher education and research institutions;
• participation at scientific expeditions or research schools abroad;
• conducting of  research at foreign higher education and research institutions;
• teaching at foreign higher education institutions.

Duration of the activity

The duration of a research visit is no longer than 30 days.

Potential beneficiaries

Teaching staff, doctoral students, young researchers, scientists and other researchers from Lithuanian higher education and research institutions.

Responsible body

The Research Council of Lithuania.

Financial provisions

Allocated funds may be used to cover:

• travel costs (from home to the host country and within the latter’s territory);
• accommodation costs, up to the residential rental rates in foreign countries;
• international conference fee;
• insurance costs;
• visa costs;
• the costs of copying and use of archival documents;
• costs related to participation at the scientific expedition.

Support for short-term visits of researchers

The support is provided based on the project ”Competitive funding of short-term research visits” under the EU structural support. Researchers are invited to visit Lithuanian higher education and research institutions. The aim of financing researchers’ visits is to strengthen the relations between foreign scientists and researchers and Lithuanian higher education and research institutions, raise the level of research and help prepare for attraction of high-level foreign researchers to Lithuania and reintegration of Lithuanian scientists–expatriates.

Visits of researchers are funded by tender in four categories: for invited foreign scientists – to participate in the doctoral process, deliver lectures or their cycles and conduct research work at Lithuanian higher education and research institutions; for Lithuanian scientists – to participate at international scientific conferences.

Supported activities

Incoming researchers from abroad can:

• conduct research at Lithuanian higher education and research institutions, high-tech or business enterprises that are working in the research and development sector;
• deliver lectures, moderate seminars or their cycles at Lithuanian higher education and research institutions;
• participate in the doctoral process at Lithuanian higher education and research institutions.

Outgoing Lithuanian researchers can:

• participate at international scientific conferences for presenting their research results to the international scientific community, getting acquainted with the latest achievements of science and finding useful contacts.

Duration of the activity:

• the overall duration of the incoming visit for conducting research in Lithuania cannot be less than seven days and cannot exceed the period indicated in the call for proposals;
• the overall duration of the visit for delivering lectures cannot be less than three days (at least eight teaching hours) and cannot exceed 14 days;
• the overall duration of the visit for participation in the doctoral process cannot exceed four days;
• the maximum duration of participation at a scientific event (conference) abroad is five days (travel excluded).

Potential beneficiaries

The incoming scientist must be a researcher who has been doing research abroad for at least two past years.

The outgoing scientist must be a young researcher (who was awarded his/her doctoral degree no more than seven years ago) or a doctoral student.

Responsible body

The Research Council of Lithuania.

Financial provisions

• Incoming researchers on a visit to Lithuania for conducting research receive up to LTL 6,000 (approx. EUR 1,738) for the first seven days and up to LTL 470 (approx. EUR 136) per day for the eighth and subsequent days.
• Incoming researchers on a visit for delivering lectures receive up to LTL 4,120 (approx. EUR 1,193) for the first three days and up to LTL 470 (approx. EUR 136) per day for the fourth and subsequent days. 
• Incoming researchers on a visit for participating in the doctoral process receive up to LTL 3,300 (approx. EUR 956) per visit.

Outgoing researchers receive financial support to cover travel and accommodation costs and remunerate conference fee costs.