Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine as the key National Contact Point (NCP)

The agreement with Ukraine associating it to Horizon Europe and Euratom R&T Programmes has been in force since 9 June 2022 and represents a key instrument to support Ukrainian researchers and innovators in the context of ongoing military aggression by Russia. 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 and 2022 and there is a general encouragement across the Horizon Europe Work Programme to create opportunities, where possible, for the affected persons and entities of Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraines R&I capacity, both at institutional and individual levels, is at risk in view of public R&I budget cuts and destroyed research infrastructure.

According to the latest survey, out of more than 2000 Ukrainian scientists, 38% have been forced to relocate internally, 15% have left abroad and three quarters are struggling to carry on their work.In relation to other associated countries, Horizon Europe Offices exist in Georgia (Executive Agency of the Ministry) and Turkey (the Scientific and Technological Research Council (Tubitak) and represent useful tools to facilitate and/or improve these countries in the Horizon Europe programme.

A grant to identified beneficiary is an appropriate implementation modality for this action as it will reinforce the key R&I public institution of Ukraine - the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) in view of the ongoing military aggression by Russia and its far-reaching impacts on the R&I sector in Ukraine.

The NRFU is the only public institution that runs competitive R&D calls in Ukraine.