The aim of the project is to provide support for the development of academic staff of the Latvian Academy of Culture (hereinafter referred to as LACA) and partners of the Art Academy of Latvia (hereinafter – AALA) and Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (hereinafter referred to as JVLMA), including the renewal of scientists, internationalisation, international competitiveness, as well as cooperation between three partner universities and sharing of resources. Activities envisaged by the project:(1)Involvement of doctoral students in scientific research or study work, approving the financing model of young doctoral students. The activity will give doctoral students and doctoral candidates an opportunity to provide funding for the remuneration of doctoral students for research or study work in a higher education institution (hereinafter – HEI), which is related to the development of the doctoral thesis. Both provision of remuneration for research activities within the framework of development of doctoral work and involvement in research projects implemented by HEIs (NPP, FLPP, etc.) will ensure research of targeted, strategic priority themes and human resources development in the priority scientific fields of LKA, AAL and JVLMA. By employing doctoral students and research candidates as researchers and as academic staff, the renewal of the academic staff of the LAC and partners of the AAL and JVLMA will be promoted and contribution to the improvement and quality of academic work will be provided. The approbation of the new doctoral funding model will promote an increase in the proportion of academic staff with a doctoral degree, attracting doctoral students to HEIs and will allow doctoral students to integrate into both the study and scientific research environment, develop their academic and scientific careers and make a significant contribution to the creation of new knowledge and active dissemination of research results. (2)Employment of foreign academic staff as guest lecturers will promote the internationalisation of LACs and partners AAL and JVLMA, diversification and quality improvement of the study process, as well as sharing of human resources, ensuring international and global content of study programmes for LAC, AAL and JVLMA doctoral students. Output indicators – (1)Number of doctors who have received ESF support for HEIs – 11, of which at least 4 hold a doctoral degree and work as academic staff at LAC, AAL or JVLMA within six months of obtaining the degree. Those at least 4 PhD students with support from the ESF who have completed a doctoral degree and become academic staff in HEIs shall continue their employment with HEIs for at least 12 months. (2)Number of foreign lecturers who have received ESF support for the work of LAC, AAL or JVLMA – at least 3.The project is intended to ensure effective development of LACs and partners, including:•Charge development of LKA, AAL and JVLMA humanres and renewal of academic staff;•Internationalisation of higher education and science;•share of human resources attached to LKA, AAL and JVLMA;•Current cooperation between the Ministry of Culture (hereafter); New, non-exhaustive cooperation activities•Providing a high-quality, modern and labour market compliant study content;•International competitiveness of cultural and arts education provided by LKA and partners;•A successful integration of LKA and partner students into the labour market.Total costs: The total eligible funding available for the project is EUR 434410.00, including ESF funding EUR 369248.50 and state budget funding EUR 65161.50.Project duration: From 1 April 2021 to 30 November 2023 (32 months).