The European Commission has increased the budget of the MSCA4Ukraine initiative with an additional €10m funding through Horizon Europe.
MSCA4Ukraine was created to support Ukrainian researchers who were displaced from their country since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
The latest funding boost will enable these individuals to continue their essential scientific research safely across Europe.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, commented: “Thanks to Horizon Europe funding, researchers that had to flee Ukraine can continue their work.
“This successful MSCA scheme is one of the ways in which we provide tangible support to the Ukrainian research and innovation community. Helping Ukrainian researchers and innovators is essential both now and for the sake of the future.”
MSCA4Ukraine overview
MSCA4Ukraine, initiated in September 2022 with an initial €25m budget from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe, is a dedicated Commission scheme supporting displaced Ukrainian researchers to continue their work safely in Europe.
Open to Ukrainian nationals, stateless persons, and those with main residence in Ukraine as of 24 February 2022, it aims to safeguard Ukraine’s research and innovation system and promote scientific freedom.
Encouraging collaboration with Ukrainian counterparts, it fosters integration between scientific communities of Ukraine and the EU, facilitating their return and reintegration once circumstances allow.
Managed by experienced organisations like Scholars at Risk Europe, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the European University Association, the initiative prioritises research topics directly benefitting Ukraine.
Since launching, MSCA4Ukraine has supported 125 displaced Ukrainian researchers to be trained and work in 21 countries.
Ukraine engages in Horizon Europe and the Euratom programme without financial obligation. Additionally, the EU has established a Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv and introduced a programme within the European Innovation Council (EIC) to assist Ukrainian deep-tech companies.
Opportunities through additional funding
The additional funding will facilitate the continuation of research projects for at least 50 additional researchers, including doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, who were compelled to leave Ukraine.
These scholars will be able to conduct their work safely at various institutions across the EU and countries associated with Horizon Europe.
Moreover, this funding will provide opportunities for these researchers to access training, develop skills, and advance their careers. Organisations hosting these researchers, as well as the fellows relocating with their families, will receive specific support.
The selected researchers will have the flexibility to either initiate new projects or continue their ongoing research endeavours, spanning across diverse subjects.
This includes the option to focus on topics directly contributing to Ukraine’s recovery efforts. Presently, MSCA4Ukraine fellows are actively engaged in research areas such as the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine and addressing the mental health needs of displaced Ukrainian women.
