The research assessment will evaluate the current status and development prospects of research activities in Latvian universities, research institutes and academies. A key part of the assessment process will be an external peer review of Latvian research performance by panels of international experts. This will involve a review of documentation and information submitted by the research performing organisations and a trip to Latvia to visit a sub-set of the organisations. Technopolis, Bruxelles, has been commissioned to undertake the research assessment, http://www.technopolis-group.com. Svend Erik Larsen has earlier been appointed to similar assessment panel in Portugal, Romania and Sweden.