On March 27–28, 2025, Brussels hosted the final event of the flagship EU project EURIZON, aimed at fostering international scientific cooperation and supporting Ukrainian researchers.
EURIZON is a large-scale initiative under the EU’s Horizon Europe program, comprising multiple efforts to strengthen research infrastructure and support researchers, particularly from Ukraine. A key component of the project was the EURIZON fellowship program, which awarded individual one-year grants to over 300 Ukrainian researchers, facilitating their professional growth and integration into the international research community.
The final event in Brussels brought together representatives of European research institutions, international organizations, and government agencies to discuss the project’s outcomes and formulate recommendations for the continued support of Ukraine’s research sector. Among the Ukrainian participants were representatives of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) – Executive Director Olga Polotska and Chief Specialist of the Legal Support Division, Liudmyla Maistrenko.
Representatives of the NRFU prepared a report presenting the results of an analysis of the state of research infrastructures in Ukraine. The study was based on the analysis of data obtained from managers of research infrastructures as a result of a survey, which allowed to identify the key challenges and needs of Ukrainian scientists in the current environment.
During the event, NRFU representatives also held a series of internal meetings with European partners to discuss the next steps in implementing EURIZON’s recommendations and the prospects for involving Ukrainian researchers in new international programs. In addition, they presented the results of the call ‘Infrastructures for Advanced Research’, which played a crucial role in increasing the technical capacity of Ukrainian research institutions and improving the conditions for conducting high-level research.
As part of the event, Executive Director of the NRFU Olga Polotska participated in the panel discussion ‘How to Revert Brain Drain?’, where she joined international experts in exploring strategies to address the issue of talented Ukrainian researchers leaving the country or shifting careers. The discussion focused on creating attractive conditions for research in Ukraine, expanding international opportunities for Ukrainian researchers, and mobilizing global research networks to support Ukrainian science.
The EURIZON final event reaffirmed the significance of international cooperation in preserving and advancing Ukraine’s scientific potential. The initiatives discussed and the recommendations formulated will contribute to the further integration of Ukrainian researchers into the European research community, the strengthening of research infrastructure, and the creation of opportunities for talented scientists to remain and develop science in Ukraine.
In this context, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine remains committed to collaborating with international partners to implement new initiatives. The Foundation will continue to support the development of research infrastructure and promote strategic programs that provide Ukrainian researchers with new opportunities for professional growth and integration into the global research landscape.
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