It is symbolic that the decision to appoint Professor Vilchynskii as the Head of the Foundation was made by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 23 February 2022, just one day before the outbreak of the full-scale war. Heading the Foundation in difficult and decisive times, Professor Vilchynskii has demonstrated exceptional leadership, foresight and commitment.

Thanks to his efforts, the Foundation managed not only to ensure the continuous support for Ukrainian researchers even during the war, but also to find new sources of funding which contributed to the organization and holding of important calls. His effective management was the key to supporting hundreds of researchers and enabled them to continue their research in the wartime.

An individual merit of Professor Vilchynskii is the strengthening of institutional independence of the Foundation. This independence has become an important factor in the stability and development of the research sphere in Ukraine, even in crisis conditions. Thanks to his leadership, the Foundation retained autonomy in making key decisions which allowed it to respond effectively to challenges and attract new international partners and donors.

Under his leadership, the processes of holding calls and assessing project applications were also improved which significantly increased the transparency and efficiency of the Foundation’s work. The introduction of new approaches to the assessment of research results and academic integrity have become important steps towards enhancing the quality of research in Ukraine.

Dear Professor Vilchynskii, the Directorate of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine expresses its deepest gratitude to you for your dedicated work, proactive position and invaluable contribution to the development of Ukrainian research. Your work is an example of professionalism and loyalty, and we sincerely wish you further success and new achievements in all your future endeavors!