On June 19-21, a training and information event on ‘Grant opportunities of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and support tools within the Horizon Europe Programme’ was held in Uzhhorod.

The event was host by Uzhhorod National University in a hybrid format.

On the first day of the event, June 19, representatives of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, headed by Executive Director of the NRFU Olga Polotska, met with the management of Uzhhorod National University, deans and deputy deans of all faculties to present the research achievements of the university. The parties also discussed the prospects for deepening cooperation.

On the second day, June 20, the event was opened with welcoming speeches by the rector of Uzhhorod National University Volodymyr Smolanka and Executive Director of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine Olga Polotska.

Olga Polotska shared a presentation on institutional leadership of the NRFU during the war. Also, representatives from different departments of the NRFU raised the following important issues:

• the myths and reality of the work at the NRFU;
• organizational support for the calls of the Foundation;
• opportunities for Ukrainian researchers within the Horizon Europe Programme;
• current calls within the Civil Security for Society cluster;
• grant opportunities for business within the Horizon Europe Programme;
• legal aspects of participation in the Horizon Europe Programme;
• financial issues of participation in the Horizon Europe Programme.

The second day was concluded with a practical session. The NRFU staff gave a practical tour of the Funding and Tenders Portal, showing step-by-step how to use the platform.

During the final day of the event, June 21, the participants continued to discuss such urgent topics as:

• organizational and legal aspects of the NRFU competitive selection;
• administration of NRFU grants and monitoring of projects implementation;
• NRFU strategy for Open Science;
• opportunities for Ukrainian researchers in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

After the break, the NRFU staff conducted a master class for the participants on how to prepare a successful project application under the Horizon Europe Programme.

The event was attended by representatives of institutions of higher education, research institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, NGOs, and anyone interested in opportunities from the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe. A mandatory final part of the event was networking on practical issues of grant management, where participants exchanged experiences and received useful tips for using national and European instruments of call funding for research and innovation.

The organization of such events plays an important role in promoting research and innovation. We sincerely thank Uzhhorod National University for hosting the event, as well as the participants who joined it.

The next information events in other cities of Ukraine will be announced on the website and social media of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and the Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU.