Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, known as LMA from its Lithuanian name Lietuvos mokslų akademija, is a state-funded but independent organization in Lithuania dedicated to science and research. The idea of such an academy was first proposed in 1773 by Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt and colleagues at Vilnius University, was revived during the Lithuanian National Revival, and became practical only after the Institute of the Lithuanian Language was set up in 1939. The Academy was formally established on 16 January 1941, with Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius as its first president, and it declared itself independent of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union in 1989. Governed by a charter approved by the Parliament of Lithuania, it elects up to 120 members under the age of 75, represents Lithuania in European and international academy networks, publishes journals and textbooks, supervises the Lithuanian Science Prize and grants its own memorial prizes. Its work is organized into five scientific divisions, and it is housed in a former bank building on Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius.