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Research and innovation

Statement by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel

EU solidarity with Ukraine

Specific support for Ukrainian research and innovation

In view of the Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine faces increasingly damaged research infrastructure, logistical and financial difficulties in maintaining research activities in the country, as well as a dangerous brain drain. 

On 9 June 2022, the Agreement associating Ukraine to Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme (2021-2027), and to the Euratom Research and Training Programme (2021-2025) entered into force. The Ukrainian research and innovation actors can fully participate in these programmes on equal terms with entities from the EU Member States. The Agreement applies with a retroactive effect from 1 January 2021.

Ukraine participates in the Horizon Europe and Euratom Programmes without having to contribute financially for the years 2021 and 2022 and there is a general encouragement to applicants to create opportunities for the Ukrainian research and innovation actors affected by war.

Factsheet20 December 2023
Horizon Europe office in Ukraine

The Commission opened the Horizon Europe office in Kyiv December 2023. It will promote EU funding opportunities, offer technical support to Ukrainian researchers and innovators, and strengthen networks between Ukrainian and European institutions.

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In addition, the EU has resolved to offer dedicated tangible support to the Ukrainian research and innovation community.

Factsheet20 December 2023
Ukraine, support for researchers and innovators

The factsheet gives an overview of opportunities available to research and innovators under Horizon Europe and in support of Ukraine’s closer integration into the European Research Area.

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Dedicated initiatives

Calls to support cooperation frameworks

Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials

Administrative cooperation arrangement on Copernic data access and Earth Observation data exchange

Other available support

Under the Hop On Facility, Ukrainian entities can join ongoing Horizon projects that have no partner from the Widening countries.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) collaborates with Ukraine on nuclear safety and security, including on nuclear emergency preparedness and monitoring of radiological data through the European radiological data exchange platform. It also runs a joint fellowship initiative with the European University Institute (EUI) in science for policy competences and JRC’s calls to access its 60 unique research infrastructure facilities, including nuclear, are open to Ukraine.

Finally, JRC provides policy advice on smart specialisation and technology transfer and carries assessment work of demographic future of Ukraine and the post-war water-related needs.

Support to EaP partner countries

The European Commission is implementing a project within the Global Support Service Facility to facilitate a stronger participation of the 5 EaP countries making resources available to help increase participation in Horizon Europe.

Policy background

Ukraine is a key partner country within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP). Bilateral cooperation with Ukraine contributes to the objectives of the Eastern Partnership.

The Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU, establishes a legal basis for the science and technology cooperation between EU research organisations and Ukrainian institutes as well as state bodies. Signed on 4 July 2002n the Agreement is regularly renewed. The latest renewal was finalised in 2022 making the Agreement effective as of 8 November 2019 for a period of five years. Through the establishment of a Joint Committee, the agreement also provides a framework for dialogue to discuss the development of research and innovation policies, share best practices and increase collaboration.

Since 2016, Ukraine was fully associated to the EU’s Horizon 2020 and EURATOM Research and Training (2014- 2020) programmes. Under Horizon 2020, Ukraine participated in 230 projects, involving 323 participants, for a total funding request of €45.5m. Ukraine has been particularly strong in researchers’ mobility (MSCA), energy, climate and transport.

In EURATOM Research and Training (2014-2020), Ukrainian entities received approximately €4.9m for both fusion and fission activities. In 2016, Ukraine also benefited from the Horizon 2020 Policy Support Facility’s recommendations on research and innovation in Ukraine, which triggered a series of structural reforms for the modernisation of the national research system.

Projects and results

Project Examples from Horizon Europe 

BIOMETHAVERSE: two Ukrainian entities, EKO ENERGY and the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, participate in this strategic €12 million project to support the uptake of bio-methane green hydrogen technology in Europe in line with the priorities of the SET Plan.

TWISMA will boost scientific excellence and innovation capacity of Ukraine’s Institute for Scintillation Materials (ISMA) and its Twinning partners in developing innovative calorimeters for high energy physics based on advanced scintillation materials.

TARA project has the SKEIN office in Ukraine as the largest beneficiary of the international consortium that will develop a novel platform for the treatment of chronic migraine.

Project success stories

List of particularly successful projects involving Ukraine 

Specific examples:

  • DIABOLO harmonised information for forest ecosystems management
  • SENSKIN new maintenance techniques in transport infrastructure
  • RESPONSE eco-solutions to power the cities of the future
  • EURAD handling radioactive waste management

Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 key figures

Research project database (CORDIS)

The Commission's primary portal for results of EU-funded research projects. Here you can find International cooperation projects related to Ukraine.

EU funded projects

Contact

National Contact Points

The National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe.

European Commission

Natalija Dolya
Policy Officer
DG Research and Innovation, Unit 04 Horizon Europe Association

Telephone: +32 229 81658 | email: Natalija [dot] DOLYAatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Natalija[dot]DOLYA[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

Documents

23 MARCH 2022
Agreement associating Ukraine to Horizon Europe
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12 FEBRUARY 2003
Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation between the EC and Ukraine
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