In Latvia, there has been increasing criticism surrounding state-funded research projects, particularly those approved last year. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) suggests a broader public engagement in determining the topics for these research initiatives. Critics within the scientific community argue for the need to maintain autonomy for researchers to initiate topics themselves, as certain programs currently allow them to dictate research directions freely.

This initiative follows discontent from various sectors, including the Confederation of Employers and social media users, regarding the appropriateness of selected project themes in relation to national priorities, especially in social and humanities research areas. Last year's selection process led to the endorsement of 56 new projects with an overall budget of around 17 million euros, evaluated for quality by international experts. Responses from these sectors indicated a disconnect between the research proposals and relevant socio-economic needs.

In light of these concerns, the IZM is revising the rules governing project competitions to incorporate public input into the thematic direction of state-funded research. This shift signifies a potential change in how research priorities are set in Latvia, highlighting a growing expectation for researchers to align their work more closely with the needs and preferences of society, rather than merely academic considerations.