Yesterday, on February 2, 2023, the European Commission announced that a new Horizon Europe programme (HE) office is expected to open its doors in Kyiv in 2023. The office will provide support to the National Contact Points across Ukraine and strengthen research and innovation (R&I) networks between Ukrainian and European institutions. Hosted by the National Research Foundation, it aims to take Ukraine’s participation in Horizon Europe to a new level.
The HE Office will organise targeted information events on R&I cooperation opportunities, provide training on drafting competitive proposals and assist Ukrainian researchers and innovators to find project partners in the member states and associated countries to the programme.
Mariya Gabirel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said:
The Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine will support its participation in the programme, safeguarding the country’s research and innovation capacity and creating stronger ties between the EU and Ukrainian research and innovation communities.
The EU is firmly committed to nurturing and preserving Ukraine’s research and innovation ecosystem as it will help steer Ukraine’s recovery towards green, digital and sustainable economy and society. Ukraine’s association to the Horizon Europe and Euratom programmes is a key instrument of EU support especially as Ukraine does not have to contribute financially. In addition, all applicants to the programmes are encouraged to create opportunities for Ukrainian research and innovation actors impacted by the war.
Despite damages inflicted on research infrastructure (15% damaged or destroyed), as of January 2023, Ukrainian research and innovation actors participate in 49 Horizon Europe grants with a net EU funding of €13 million. These are remarkable results as Ukraine’s participation is on par with pre-war levels. The HE Office in Kyiv will contribute to reinforcing this resilience.
Background
The agreement with Ukraine associating it to Horizon Europe and Euratom Research and Training Programmes is in force since 9 June 2022 and supports Ukrainian researchers and innovators in the context of ongoing military aggression by Russia. In line with the Association Agreement, Ukrainian entities can participate in the programmes on equal terms with entities from EU Member States. Ukraine does not have to contribute financially for years 2021, 2022 and 2023. In addition, a number of dedicated support measures have already been deployed including; a €25 million fellowship scheme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, €20 million action by the European Innovation Council to support deep tech start-ups of Ukraine and €5 million action to facilitate peer-to-peer cooperation with the Ukrainian cities on climate neutrality principles in the local recovery plans.
More information
Documents
- EU RI Support for Ukraine
(download)
