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

Project Information

HEOinUA

Grant agreement ID: 101132682

DOI

10.3030/101132682

EC signature date 23 August 2023

Start date 1 September 2023

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 1 749 362,50

EU contribution

€ 1 749 362,50

Coordinated by

NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF UKRAINE
Ukraine

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEOinUA (Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine as the key National Contact Point (NCP))

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The Agreement associating Ukraine to Horizon Europe and Euratom R&T programmes took effect on June 9, 2022, and represents a key instrument to support Ukrainian researchers and innovators amid the ongoing military aggression by Russia. Ukrainian entities can participate in the programmes on equal terms with entities from EU Member States. Ukraine is exempt from financial contribution, and the HE Work Programme explicitly encourages the inclusion of Ukrainian stakeholders, wherever feasible.
At the same time, Ukraine’s R&I capacity, both at institutional and individual levels, is at risk in view of public R&I budget cuts, brain drain and destroyed research infrastructure.
In other associated countries, comparable HE offices operate in Georgia (within the Executive Agency of the Ministry) and Türkiye (under the Scientific and Technological Research Council, TÜBİTAK). These offices have proven to be effective in facilitating and improving these countries’ participation in the Horizon Europe programme.
A direct grant to a specified beneficiary is deemed an appropriate modality for this action, as it can strengthen the capacity of Ukraine’s foremost public R&I institution – 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. Notably, the NRFU is the only public institution that runs competitive R&D calls in Ukraine.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main achievement is establishing a Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine (HEOinUA) on the basis of and as integral part of the NRFU which strengthens the integration of Ukraine in the HE Programme and the European Research Area (ERA).
HEOinUA was launched as a separate structural unit within the NRFU with in complianced by Ukrainian legislation. All 14 staff members are employed on a full-time basis and have undergone requisite training. HEOinUA possesses its own logo, maintains a fully operational website and manages three social media channels.
HEOinUA provides professional services for National Contact Points (NCPs), facilitates and coordinates NCP network, and delivers analytical support to ERA governance structures. The Head of HEOinUA was officially nominated by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) as the National NCP Coordinator.
HEOinUA has introduced and facilitated interaction among key stakeholders, ranging from the MESU, HE Programme Committee members, NCPs, to knowledge organisations, researchers, SMEs, NGOs, etc. A liaison person in Brussels ensures effective coordination between the Ukrainian R&I policymakers and the broader research community with the European Commission, HE Program Committees, NCPs, ERA governance structures, and Member States.
The HEoinUA website and accompanying social media channels have become a central access point to the Ukrainian R&I community seeking information on opportunities under HE Programme. These platforms offer all target groups (NCPs, R&I institutions, researchers and SMEs, policy makers) information about effective tools and procedures for participation in EU framework programmes, specifically HE Programme. The website is used as a tool for raising awareness of Ukrainian society about the role the R&I sector plays in the modern economy. Its content is regularly updated with information on Programme’s announcements, including new calls, event notifications, reports, video links, and updates on successful Ukrainian participants. The HEOinUA website is available in both Ukrainian and English.
HEOinUA provides comprehensive guidance and analysis on HE and Ukraine’s participation to all target groups, serving as a central information hub for the R&I community. Special attention is given to provide support to NCPs and Ukrainian participants seeking to build or join international consortia. HEOinUA provides the stakeholders with analytical data necessary for effective decision-making (MESU, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, etc.). HEOinUA develops sustainable cooperation with similar HE offices in EU and associated countries (Austria, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Georgia).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HEOinUA is the first HE office financed exclusively by the European Union.
HEOinUA delivers training and advisory services aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian researchers to prepare competitive project proposals. This emphasis on capacity building raises the quality of research outputs and enhances the likelihood of successful funding applications for Ukrainian researchers and innovators. HEOinUA adds to the institutional capacity of the NRFU. The Office provides policy guidance to support Ukraine’s integration into the ERA, aligning national research policies with European standards and priorities.
These results represent a transformative milestone for Ukraine’s research landscape, paving the way for continued growth and deeper engagement with the European scientific community.

Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine logo