Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
Lietuvos mokslų akademija
	Headquarters of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
Formation	16 January 1941; 83 years ago
Type	Academy of sciences
Headquarters	Gedimino pr. 3, Vilnius, Lithuania
Coordinates	54°41′11″N 25°17′5″E / 54.68639°N 25.28472°E
President	Jūras Banys
Website	lma.lt

The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences or LMA (Lithuanian: Lietuvos mokslų akademija, Latin: Academia Scientiarum Lithuaniae) is a state-funded independent organization in Lithuania dedicated for science and research. Its mission is to mobilize prominent scientists and initiate activities that would strengthen the welfare of Lithuania and contribute to the scientific, social, cultural and economic development of the country.^[1]

History

The idea of establishing the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences was proposed in 1773 by Martynas Počobutas and other members of Vilnius University in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but it was not implemented due to wars and conflicts in the region.^[2]^[3] The idea of an independent institution for science and research was revived during the Lithuanian National Revival with the main proponents of it being the members of the Lithuanian Scientific Society, including Jonas Basanavičius and Jonas Šliūpas.^[4] However, the implementation began only in 1939, initially with the establishment of the Institute of the Lithuanian Language.^[3]^[4] The institute was a basis of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences which was formally established on 16 January 1941.^[2] Its first president was Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius. The building used by LMA was designed by architect Mikhail Prozorov [lt] and built in 1903–1906.^{[citation needed]}

On 9 June 1988, the Sąjūdis movement was started from the Academy’s conference hall. In 1989, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences was declared independent from the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union, and in March 1990, the Academy declared its decision to be independent of any public or political institution. In 1991, the Law on Research and Higher Education was adopted and LMA was reorganized. On 18 March 2003, the Seimas passed the Statute of the Academy of Sciences.^[2]

Activities

The LMA is governed by its charter which is approved by the Parliament of Lithuania. It can elect 120 members (under 75 years of age) and an unlimited number of foreign members as well as emeriti over 75 years of old.^[1]

The academy represents Lithuania in All European Academies, International Council for Science, European Academies' Science Advisory Council and InterAcademy Partnership. In addition to founding several scientific institutions and foundations, it issues publications and textbooks, sponsors symposia and conferences. It has established 15 memorial prizes and awards, encourages young scientists and students to engage in research by annually awarding 10 prizes to young scientists and 15 prizes to students. Since 2008, together with the Bank of Lithuania, it grants Vladas Jurgutis Award.

Lithuanian Science Prize

Since 1993, the LMA supervises the process and facilitates the yearly awards of the Lithuanian Science Prize (Lithuanian: Lietuvos mokslo premija).^[5] The LMA and other academic institutions nominate the candidates. The winners are decided by the Commission for Lithuanian Science Prizes which is assembled by the government.^[5] There can be no more than 7 awards in the following areas: humanitarian science, social science, natural science (may be 2 awards), medicine and health science, agricultural science and technical science.^[6]

As of 2023, the monetary award for the prize is €42,900.^[7]

Structure

LMA consists of the following scientific divisions:^[8]

Humanities and Social Sciences
Mathematical, Chemical and Physical Sciences
Biological, Medical and Geosciences
Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Technical Sciences

Presidents

Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius (1941)
Mykolas Biržiška (1941–1942)
Vladas Jurgutis (1942–1943)
Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas (1943–1944)
Juozas Matulis (1946–1984)
Juras Požela (1984–1992)
Benediktas Juodka (1992–2003)
Zenonas Rokus Rudzikas (2003–2009)
Valdemaras Razumas (2009–2018)
Jūras Banys (from 2018)

Publications

Acta Medica Lituanica
Baltica : an international yearbook of Baltic Sea geology, geomorphology and paleontology
Biologija
Chemija
Ekologija
Energetika
Filosofija. Sociologija
Geografija
Geologija
Lituanistika
Pheromones
Menotyra
Žemės ūkio mokslai