October 19–23, 2026
“(re)SEARCH 2026”: Science between openness, security and international influence
Technological competition, research security and science diplomacy have moved from the academic agenda to the foreign, economic and security policies of states in recent years. The international science week “(re)SEARCH 2026”, taking place in Vilnius from 19 to 23 October, will examine these issues through five different events connecting Lithuanian and foreign science, politics, diplomacy and innovation communities.
The context of this year’s week is particularly specific. Lithuania is preparing to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027, while Europe is simultaneously searching for answers on how to maintain the openness of science in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions, strengthen technological competitiveness, and protect strategically important knowledge and research infrastructure.
Last year, the first week of “(re)SEARCH” reached about 1,500 people live and via live broadcasts, and its content on social media reached tens of thousands more users. The atmosphere of the first week, the moments of the events, and the insights of the participants can be remembered in the 2025 “(re)SEARCH” video.
“Science issues today are increasingly closely related to the competitiveness of the state, security, technological progress and international relations. Last year’s “(re)SEARCH” week showed that such a conversation is relevant not only for the scientific community – it focused the attention of politics, business, the public sector and international partners. This year we want to continue and expand this dialogue, especially as Lithuania prepares to assume the presidency of the EU Council,” says Prof. Juozas Augutis, Acting Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania (LMT).
Science diplomacy – from concept to state interests
The Lithuanian Science Forum, to be held on October 20, will examine science diplomacy as a practical tool of the state – helping to create international partnerships, strengthen Lithuania’s positions in the European scientific area, and open up access to international networks and infrastructures for scientists.
The forum will also discuss Lithuania’s place in the changing European science policy. The upcoming presidency of the EU Council provides Lithuania with an opportunity not only to administer the European agenda, but also to raise issues that are important for the Lithuanian science system itself – from international cooperation to the security and competitiveness of scientific research.
This is also changing the very approach to science diplomacy. It is less about academic exchanges and more about building long-term relationships, trust, and strategic partnerships.
When a scientific discovery has to leave the laboratory
On October 21, the Lithuanian-US Science and Innovation Forum will focus on how scientific knowledge becomes technology, and how international cooperation creates the conditions for new technological partnerships and joint innovation projects.
The forum will discuss Lithuanian-US relations in the fields of biotechnology, lasers, space and other high-tech fields, as well as the conditions necessary for scientific potential to be used to develop competitive technologies and strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities of both countries.
The Lithuanian-US Science and Innovation Forum is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, with the partner being the Physical and Technological Sciences Center (FTMC).
Open science – but not without risks
On October 22, the international conference will focus on research security and geopolitical risk management.
Openness, data sharing and international collaboration are essential conditions for modern science. However, some knowledge, technology or research infrastructure may have not only academic, but also economic or strategic value. Therefore, universities, research centres and public institutions are increasingly faced with the challenge of how to maintain open science while responsibly managing the risks associated with it.
The conference will examine this problem through specific issues – institutional responsibility, risks of international partnerships, protection of sensitive data and technologies, and resilience to geopolitical pressure.
Lithuanian-Japanese scientific partnership has been in the making for a decade
“(re)SEARCH 2026” will begin on October 19 with an event dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Lithuanian-Japanese scientific cooperation program.
This collaboration allows us to look at international scientific partnerships in a longer perspective. Their value is measured not only by the number of joint projects, but also by whether sustainable connections between researchers are formed over many years, new common topics, and the ability to continue cooperation after one funding round.
The week will conclude on October 23 with a lecture by Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius “Constitution as a Value”, which will complement the “(re)SEARCH 2026” program with a perspective on law, state, and values.
Five days of “(re)SEARCH 2026”:
- October 19 – event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Lithuanian-Japanese scientific cooperation program.
- October 20 – Lithuanian Science Forum “When Science Builds Bridges”
- October 21 – Lithuanian-US Science and Innovation Forum
- October 22 – Conference “Interdisciplinary Approach to Research Security for Managing Geopolitical Risks and Building a Resilient Society”
- October 23 – Lecture by Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius “Constitution as a Value”.
Detailed information about the “(re)SEARCH 2026” events can be found here.
The organizer of the International Science Week “(re)SEARCH 2026” is LMT. Organizational partners: Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, FTMC, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
Information partner – LRT
