The objective of the project ‘Supporting Latvia’s participation in international research and innovation programmes’ is to promote participation in research and innovation projects through international cooperation, to promote Latvia’s integration into the Common European Research Area (ERA), to link up with the development of the specialisation areas of the Latvian Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) and to strengthen the capacity of the National Contact Point (NCP). The objective of the project is in line with the objective set out in point 3 of the implementing rules for the first and second rounds of project application selection under the specific support objective 1.1.1 ‘Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies into the overall research and development (R&D) system’ of the EU cohesion policy programme 2021-2027, measure 1.1.1.5 ‘Latvia’s full participation in the Horizon Europe programme, including by providing a complex range of support instruments and linking them to the development of RIS3 specialisation areas’, and the activities planned under the project are aimed at achieving this objective. The main activities planned under the project are:1.operation of the NCP, efficiency improvement and capacity building; 2. promotion of the EURAXESS portal and updating of information, including the provision of information and integration of foreign researchers into the Latvian scientific environment; 3. Representation of the interests of the Latvian Science and Innovation Community in Brussels; 4. ensuring the functioning of the contact point of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT); 5. support for the development of research project applications under Horizon Europe and the 10th Framework Programme (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Framework Programme’): 5.1. the financing of the preparation of a project not related to economic activity for associations and foundations, which are scientific institutions registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions of the Republic of Latvia (hereinafter - the Republic of Latvia), has been submitted in calls for tenders under the Horizon Europe programme and the 10th IP sub-programmes of the Programme and has been assessed above the quality threshold; 5.2. improving the quality of projects assessed above the threshold but not funded by the European Research Council (ERC) of Horizon Europe (Starting Grant, Consolidator Grant, Advanced Grant); 5.3 Advising Horizon Europe project coordinators; 6. financing of projects under the NordForsk programme; 7. ensuring project management and implementation; 8. measures to ensure communication and visual identity requirements; 9. Ensuring the participation of Latvia in the European Space Agency programmes.During the implementation of the project, the following results will be achieved: 1. Increase by 10 percentage points for Horizon Europe and programmes 10. Number of project applications submitted by Latvian participants assessed by the IP above the quality threshold; 2. the Latvian EURAXESS portal with up-to-date information will be operational; 3. The number of new (unique) foreign partners of Latvian organisations under Horizon Europe and 10 will increase by 5 percentage points. IP; 4. 4 statistical reports on Latvia's participation in the EIT have been prepared and published; 5. financing has been granted to cover project development expenses for 3 associations and foundations in the role of coordinator and 12 associations and foundations in the role of project partner; 6. 6 grants have been awarded to cover the costs of improving the ERC project application; 7. pre-screening of 24 project applications will be provided to project application coordinators; 8. funding has been granted for 6 NordForsk projects and monitoring of project implementation in Latvia has been carried out; 9. ensuring project management and project implementation; 10. measures to ensure communication and visual identity requirements; 11. Ensuring the participation of Latvia in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes. The total eligible funding for the implementation of the project is EUR 14 353 244, including EUR 12 200 257 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and EUR 2152 987 from the State budget. The project agreement is planned to be concluded in April 2024 and implemented no later than 31 December 2029.