Commission launches three new initiatives to support Ukrainian researchers and innovators

December 21, 2023 by European Union Leave a Comment

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the Commission has launched three new initiatives boosting the EU research and innovation cooperation with Ukraine:

New Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv;
New European Innovation Council (EIC) action to support the Ukrainian deep tech community;
New European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community Hub.

Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, launched the initiatives in a remote event together with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyj.

Horizon Europe Office

The new Horizon Europe Office will raise awareness on opportunities for Ukraine’s participation in collaborative research and innovation (R&I) projects under Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme. It will do so by promoting Horizon Europe in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area, while providing support to Ukraine’s National Contact Points for Horizon Europe. The National Research Foundation of Ukraine is hosting the Horizon Europe Office.

EIC action to support Ukraine’s deep tech community

The European Innovation Council (EIC4Ukraine) action supports the Ukrainian deep tech community with €20 million for Ukrainian start-ups, to help them grow and integrate within the European innovation ecosystem. The initiative, implemented by a European network of start-up associations, will support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups with up to €60 000 each to further develop their innovation and business activities.

EIT Community Hub

The EIT Community Hub in Kyiv will serve as a one-stop-shop for information on opportunities provided by the entire EIT Community across the European Union and beyond. It will give Ukrainian innovators remaining in their home country access to partners, markets, testbeds, trainings and investment. The Hub is being hosted by the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

Background

In view of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s commitment to offer tangible means of support to the Ukrainian research and innovation community, Ukraine participates in the Horizon Europe and Euratom Programmes without having to contribute financially.

This support is complemented by several measures. Besides the new initiatives announced today, they include ERA4Ukraine, Horizon4Ukraine, EURIZON Fellowship Programme for Ukraine and ERC4Ukraine initiatives as well as MSCA4Ukraine, the dedicated fellowship scheme of €25 million under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) for displaced researchers from Ukraine.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is a unique EU body aimed at driving innovation by bringing together organisations across business, education, and research. The EIT has supported Ukrainian innovators through several measures, including a dedicated “Rebuild Ukraine” EIT Jumpstarter cohort, Red Kalyna, aimed at recognising Ukrainian female entrepreneurs, and the EIT Higher Education Initiative that increases the innovation capacity of higher education institutions.

For More Information

Factsheet – Horizon Europe office in Kyiv

Factsheet – support for Ukrainian researchers and innovators

International cooperation with Ukraine in research and innovation

European Innovation Council

European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)

Quote(s)

The Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv will be the beating heart of our collaboration. It will support Ukrainian researchers and innovators, inform them about EU funding opportunities and connect them to their EU colleagues. In addition, we are also building a bridge between local and European innovators with the new Community Hub of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, and investing up to €20 million in Ukrainian deep-tech start-ups through the European Innovation Council. This is a monumental achievement for the European research and innovation ecosystem and a testament to the enduring contribution of the Ukrainian people to research and innovation.Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth – 20/12/2023

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