The winner of Vilnius University’s (VU) competition recognizing significant contributions to open science in the category “Impact of Open Science” is the Center of Excellence of Vilnius University “Data Center for Machine Learning and Quantum Computing in the Natural and Biomedical Sciences”.
The winners were announced at Vilnius University Library
The Center brings together researchers from the VU Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, the Life Sciences Center, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences. The Center is headed by Prof. Dr Jurgita Markevičiūtė, Vice-Dean of the VU Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics (VU MIF). The projects carried out by the Center are led by Prof. Dr Povilas Treigys, Prof. Dr Remigijus Paulavičius, Prof. Dr Saulius Gražulis, Prof. Dr Arvydas Laurinavičius and Prof. Dr Linas Vilčiauskas.
The VU Data Center is presented by Prof. Dr Jurgita Markevičiūtė.
The evaluation committee recognized the Center for its significant contribution to the development of open research data infrastructure and for creating conditions for the reuse of data in natural and biomedical sciences research.
The infrastructure developed by the Center is designed to store and process large volumes of scientific data and to support machine learning and quantum computing tasks. From an open science perspective, it enables research data to be managed in accordance with the FAIR principles, ensuring their long-term preservation, reusability and accessibility to the international research community. The Center also develops initiatives to promote open research data and disseminate scientific knowledge beyond the university.
The awards ceremony for the third edition of Vilnius University’s competition recognising significant contributions to open science took place at VU Library on 21 October, marking International Open Access Week.
The Vilnius University competition recognizing significant contributions to open science is open to VU academic and non-academic staff and doctoral students whose work advances open science and the implementation of its principles. The competition recognizes a wide range of open science practices, from making research findings and data openly available to engaging the public, fostering collaboration and pursuing other initiatives.
This year, 30 applications were submitted, showcasing a variety of open science activities, projects and initiatives undertaken by the VU community. The evaluation committee selected one winner in each of the three categories.
In the category “Openness and Internationalization in Research”, the winner was the team behind the ERC Consolidator Grant project MILWAYS, based at the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of History, Vilnius University.
In the category “Public Engagement in Science”, the winner was Assoc. Prof. Dr Giedrė Godienė from the Department of Geography and Land Management at the Institute of Geosciences, VU Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences.
The establishment of an annual award recognizing significant contributions to open science is one of the activities set out in Vilnius University’s Open Science Policy Implementation Plan for 2023–2028. The competition is organized by Vilnius University Library, the VU Department of Research and Innovation, and the Communications and Marketing Division.
Information provided by Rusana Minkevičiūtė
23 November 2026
