Every year, on 10 November, the research community celebrates World Science Day for Peace and Development. This holiday was established to draw attention to the challenges facing science in the modern world.

These challenges are particularly relevant for Ukraine today. Being a researcher in a country that is defending its independence and its right to determine its own future is an extremely difficult task.

In Washington, there is a monument with the inscription “Freedom is not free”. It reminds us that freedom comes at the cost of effort, risk, and the lives of defenders. Today, every Ukrainian deeply understands this saying, everyone who quietly joins in defending the country, who helps the front lines, who finds research solutions to strengthen defense capabilities and national security, who uses research to help restore critical infrastructure, ensure food security, and preserve the environment. Those who seek new knowledge to build a new, post-war world.

Ukrainian researchers implement their studies in extremely complicated conditions, but it is their work that creates the foundation for peace and development and gives hope for the country’s recovery.

Such vital studies are implemented with the support of grant funding from the National Research Foundation of Ukraine. Every piece of research by Ukrainian researchers is crucial, and every day of their work during the war is a Science Day for Peace and Development.