From Brno to Ukraine: New Horizons for Ukrainian Science
The international project “Research Infrastructures for the Future of Ukraine: Roadmap for Sustained Growth and Recovery (RIFF)” has officially kicked off. Coordinated by Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), the project aims to create a roadmap for developing Ukrainian research infrastructures and integrating them into the European research space.
The project will run until 31 August 2028, with a budget of €2 million, and involves 15 leading research and educational institutions from Ukraine and the EU. From our Institute, Executive Director Alina Boiko participated in the conference, establishing personal contacts and discussing opportunities for joint research with European partners.
The project officially kicked off at the Conference on Ukraine’s Reconstruction in Research and Higher Education on 17 September 2025 in Brno. Participants discussed key challenges and opportunities for the development of Ukrainian science.
Ukrainian researchers are working under extremely difficult conditions: the war has destroyed over 3,500 research facilities. Yet the resilience and determination of the scientific community remain inspiring. As the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Vasyl Zvarych noted: “Missiles can destroy buildings, but not the human mind.”
At the same time, the country faces a significant gap in research capacity: currently, there are around 581 researchers per million inhabitants in Ukraine, compared to over 4,600 on average in the EU, while investment in R&D is only 0.4–0.5% of GDP.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine shows progress in digitalization, the green transition, and knowledge-intensive sectors. Ukrainian scientific publications receive high international citations, and the country has been recognized as an Emerging Innovator (EIS 2024).
The next steps are already defined: the Strategic Action Plan 2027 and the National Open Science Action Plan are aligned with the priorities of the European Research Area, opening new opportunities for integration and international collaboration. Key priorities include rebuilding human capital, strengthening science-business cooperation, engaging the Ukrainian diaspora, and securing support from international donors. As representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine emphasized: “Transformation even in times of war is not just a challenge, but a basic necessity for the future.”
More information about the project and subscription to the RIFF Newsletter is available on the official website
