FAQ

ORGANISATION OF PRACTICE COMPETITIONS

What agreements are concluded to launch a practice competition?

To launch a practice competition, a cooperation agreement is concluded with a company once. In addition to the cooperation agreement, a service agreement is concluded with SIA Development Fund Service, where an administrative expenditure rate of 15% of the amount of the monthly scholarship is set. In the case of practice scholarships, the cooperation agreement and the service agreement provide both parties with the possibility to further launch scholarship competitions and attract trainees, without entering into new agreements each time. The company transfers the financing intended for scholarships and the SIA Development Fund Service share of the administrative expenses to the Fund each month on the basis of invoices.

Are there any taxes deducted when granting practice scholarships?

No, they are not. The Cabinet granted a permission to RTU Development Fund (Cabinet Regulation No.337 of 31 July 2001) to pay scholarships from the financial means of the Fund, not deducting taxes. Therefore, the trainee will receive the entire amount stipulated by the agreement without any deductions or additional payments. Thus, companies have an opportunity to support the strongest students financially, moreover, receiving reliefs for the made donations.

Why should a company cooperate with us in attraction of trainees?

Provision of practice for students is not only an opportunity to train potential employees during their studies, but also to pay them scholarships without deducted taxes.

We provide:

preparation of all required documentation in accordance with Latvian regulatory enactments (an agreement, a competition regulation and proceedings of the decision-taking, practice agreements);
announcement of scholarship competitions, online application, reviewing of applicants and first selection;
calculation and payment of scholarships during the set period;

customer-tailored solutions and approaches in non-standard situations.

How long does it take to find a trainee, starting from the agreement conclusion?

The preparation and coordination of the cooperation agreement and the competition regulation takes one or two working days on average, and the application of candidates normally takes two weeks, while the assessment of the applications received takes up to two weeks. As a result of the successful cooperation, the trainee can start practice already in two or three weeks.

Who may apply for the practice place offered by a company?

Students of any professional technical school or full-time, part-time or extramural studies of any level from a study programme licensed in the Republic of Latvia may apply. By launching a practice competition, the company determines the desired target audience – university, study programme and year of studies.

What duties can be performed by a trainee?

A trainee can perform various types of tasks that result in obtaining of useful practical skills and consolidation of theoretical knowledge learned through the study process.

When can a practice competition be announced?

A practice competition can be announced any time, since the trainee's participation is not related to their study process and the period of practice does not have to coincide with that specified in the study process.

How long is the practice period?

The minimum period of practice is one month and the maximum period of practice at one company is 12 months.

What is the amount of the practice scholarship?

The amount of a scholarship is determined by the scholarship grantor, evaluating the possibilities and taking into account the offered place of practice. The average amount of the scholarship is currently EUR 370 per month for full time. The maximum amount of practice scholarships may not exceed the amount of two minimum monthly salaries (currently EUR 860 per month). No taxes are deducted from scholarships.

How many hours can a trainee spend at the practice?

When applying for a practice competition, the desired load is determined by a company; still, when an agreement is concluded with the specific trainee, it is possible to adapt the load to the student's capabilities. One can also spend full time at the practice, having agreed this with the Head of Practice, in the event it can be combined with the study process.

How many applicants do usually participate in the practice competition?

The number of applications depends on a number of factors – the time when the competition is announced (whether it coincides with the session period, etc.), the amount of the scholarship, the practice assignments and the requirements. We do not guarantee a specific number of applications, but we do our best to ensure that information on the possibilities of practice reaches the relevant candidates.

Do trainees have to be insured against accidents at the place of practice?

If the practice assignments include such duties, during the performance of which an accident may occur, the scholarship grantor, at its own initiative, provides a trainee with insurance. The Procedure for Organisation of Internship and Insurance of Students in the Cabinet Regulation prescribes the professional qualifications where students must be insured against accidents during their internship.

Can the practice period be interrupted?

In the event a trainee fails to comply with the obligations set in the competition regulation (e.g. does not arrive to practice, does not fulfil the practice assignments, etc.), the period of practice may be interrupted prior to the time specified in the agreement, at the request of the company. The trainees may also request to interrupt the period of practice, at their initiative, by submitting an application.

ORGANISATION OF OTHER SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITIONS

What agreement is concluded to launch a competition for a study, support or other scholarship?

In order to launch a competition for academic achievement scholarship, research or sport, a donation agreement is concluded with the scholarship grantor.

Are tax reliefs available when entering into a donation agreement with RTU Development Fund?

Yes, when donating to the public benefit organisation – the foundation Riga Technical University Development Fund, donors have the right to receive an income tax relief. Both property and money can be donated by entering into a donation contract or by donating online (“Donate”). Donation agreements are concluded on support of Riga Technical University, specific objectives and projects, or on granting scholarship for achievements in studies, research or sport.

Are there any taxes deducted when granting other types of scholarships?

Why should scholarships be granted?

Granting scholarships to pupils, students, researchers and athletes is not only a socially responsible action to Latvian society, but also a contribution to the national economy in supporting future specialists, promoting scientific development and achievements of athletes. It is also an opportunity for entrepreneurs to position themselves as potential future employers who care about excellence and studying engineering sciences. Moreover, it is possible to enter into a donation contract and receive tax reliefs, as well as no tax is deducted from scholarships, which means that the entire amount donated will be paid in scholarships.

What scholarships can a company grant?

We have four types of scholarships approved by the State Revenue Service:

"Academic Achievement Scholarship" – granted for good and excellent performance and paid usually as a monthly support scholarship;
"Science and Research Achievement Scholarship" – granted for the already excellently developed research, term paper or graduation paper, or for the work to be developed on the subject offered by the scholarship grantor;
"For Promotion of Practical Skills" – granted as a monthly scholarship for practice at the scholarship grantor;
"For Achievements in Sport" – granted as support to athletes, young talents, coaches, judges and sport veterans.

Who can be granted scholarships?

It is possible to grant scholarships to students of any vocational technical school or general secondary education institution or to students of any level of full time, part-time or extramural studies in a study programme licensed in the Republic of Latvia or to scientific staff involved in scientific or research work currently or in the past. Similarly, scholarships can be granted to individuals who correspond to the status of a student, scientific staff member or other persons involved in science and research who have contributed significantly to the promotion of science and performance of research, as well as to athletes, young talents, coaches, judges and sport veterans.

What is the amount of the scholarship?

The amount of a scholarship is determined by the scholarship grantor, evaluating the possibilities and taking into account the type of scholarship. The maximum amount of scholarships may not exceed the amount of two minimum monthly salaries (currently EUR 860 per month) or three minimum monthly salaries (currently EUR 1290 per month) for research scholarships. No taxes are deducted from scholarships.

Can payment of scholarships be interrupted?

In the event a trainee fails to comply with the obligations set in the competition regulation (e.g. their performance has deteriorated, the research is not being conducted, etc.), payment of the scholarship may be interrupted, based on the request of the scholarship grantor. The scholarship holder may also request to interrupt payment of the scholarship, by submitting an application, in the event the scholarship is no longer needed or the circumstances have changed.

RTU Development fund

FAQ