This analytical study examines the role and influence of national academies of sciences on economic and technological competitiveness in the United States, Latvia, New Zealand, Finland, Germany, and Taiwan. It also analyses the structures, functions and financing models of the academies, as well as their practices and success stories in policy participation and offers advice to policy-makers. In the Lithuanian case, the role of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as ‘the LAS’) is largely symbolic and episodic and lacks a systemic approach. The study concludes with a comparative analysis of the previously examined case studies against the role and impact of the LAS on national economic and technological competitiveness and presents recommendations based on good international practices. Although the LAS’s expert role in addressing key issues in science and studies is even enshrined in law, it proved difficult to identify concrete examples of the LAS’s involvement in policy-making and implementation, or specific policy recommendations in this area. Only a limited number of contributions to policy-making were identified, namely, participation in the implementation of the Long-Term Research and Experimental Development Strategy; recommendations related to the implementation of the smart specialisation strategy; and an LAS study on shale gas and shale hydrocarbons. There is virtually no evidence of the LAS’s involvement in matters related to national economic and technological competitiveness. Overall, findings indicate that the LAS plays a largely symbolic and episodic role, lacking systematic engagement and institutionalisation. Its statutory mission to provide advice to decision-makers on national strategy remains largely nominal. Although the LAS prepares recommendations for public authorities, these appear to attract little political attention, or may not reach decision-makers at all. In practice, political decisions are often left to the discretion of politicians, and even high-quality and relevant LAS recommendations may be disregarded. Potential contributions of the LAS to national economic and technological competitiveness The LAS could contribute in the following areas: • Science-business interaction: cooperation with industrial and business enterprises and organisations in scientific and experimental (including social and cultural) development; • Application of research in practice, with the LAS’s scientific divisions assessing scholarly work and preparing recommendations on its practical application to meet the economic needs and the General Assembly discussing ways to apply research results in practice; • Development of strategic areas: pooling the efforts of Lithuanian research and higher education institutions to address economic development priorities and advance research in priority fields; • Dissemination of technologies: setting guidelines for the dissemination of research data and, when mandated by the Government, coordinating the implementation of measures for disseminating scientific results and technologies; • Promotion of high educational standards in research: consistent fostering of high-quality research, with particular attention to issues of strategic importance for the Lithuanian economy.