Brussels, 10 May 2022
The Commission has officially announced the launch of the MSCA4Ukraine scheme, part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. It will support displaced researchers from Ukraine for them to continue their work in academic or non-academic organisations in Europe. The scheme will also allow them to re-establish themselves in Ukraine to rebuild the country’s research and innovation capacity.
With a total budget of €25 million, MSCA4Ukraine will provide fellowships for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers to continue their work at academic and non-academic organisations in Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. It will be implemented by an experienced consortium supporting researchers at risk.
Vice-President Margrethe Vestager:
“The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has put the Ukrainian population in great turmoil. It is of utmost importance to help refugees, and in this case researchers. With this new scheme, they will have the possibility to continue their research, for science to triumph over war.”
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel said:
“Ukrainian excellence in research deserves our support in these extremely difficult times. With MSCA4Ukraine, we will further strengthen the solidarity and scientific cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, and make sure Ukrainian researchers can continue their work.”
The new scheme, included in the amendment to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022, will foster scientific excellence, skills and career development, equal opportunities and inclusiveness, and attractive working conditions. Training activities will be part of the support provided to the researchers, focused both on developing research-related and key transferable skills and competences. As in the other MSCA actions, the scheme will provide family allowances for researchers’ families.
The MSCA4Ukraine scheme is part of the EU’s response to the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the need for rapid action to support displaced researchers from Ukraine and enable them to continue their work in Europe, helping to safeguard Ukraine’s research and innovation system, and the freedom of scientific research at large.
More information on the implementation modalities for institutions wishing to host researchers under the scheme will be available after the summer 2022.
Background
The EU and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions host organisations are supporting Ukrainian researchers. The Commission has been supporting researchers from Ukraine.
The new MSCA4Ukraine scheme will be managed by some of the organisations part of the current InspirEurope project, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, which already provides support for researchers at risk.
On 22 March 2022, the Commission launched the ‘European Research Area for Ukraine’ (ERA4Ukraine) portal, a one-stop-shop for information and support services to Ukraine-based researchers and researchers fleeing Ukraine. The portal brings together initiatives at the EU level, per country and from non-governmental groups. It aims to help affected researchers find housing and job opportunities, facilitate the recognition of their diplomas, and offer other services.
For More Information
Press release: Commission boosts Horizon Europe budget to support green, health and digital innovations and displaced researchers of Ukraine
More information on MSCA4Ukraine
More information on the EU and Ukrainian researchers
More information on the InspirEurope project