The European Commission announced on Tuesday the launch of the European Research Area for Ukraine portal, a one-stop-shop for information and support services to Ukraine-based researchers and researchers fleeing Ukraine.
The portal (ERA4Ukraine) brings together initiatives at the EU level, per country and from non-governmental groups. It is launched on the existing EURAXESS network, which supports researchers by connecting more than 600 centres and 43 national portals across the EU Member States and countries associated to the research and innovation programme Horizon Europe.
All information will also be available in Ukrainian in the next days. Each member state and associated country has a national portal on which support services such as housing, job offers and recognition of diplomas will soon be listed in a structured way.
“We stand with the researchers and innovators of Ukraine who are faced with unprecedented circumstances as a result of the Russian invasion against their country,” said Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth(22 March).
“Ukrainian scientists and researchers have been key contributors to EU research and innovation. Pending the ratification of Ukraine's association to Horizon Europe, we have made sure successful beneficiaries can already receive funding from the EU R&I programmes,” she added.
Maria Leptin, the President of the European Research Council (ERC) asked last week all 5600 ERC grantees to provide temporary employment to refugee researchers and support staff from Ukraine. This new ERC initiative is included in the ERA4Ukraine portal. So far, 380 offers have been received.
The ERA4Ukraine portal also links to #Science4Ukraine, a community group of volunteer students and research scientists from academic institutions in Europe and around the world. The volunteers collect and disseminate information about support opportunities at the university, national, and international levels for graduate students and researchers directly affiliated to a Ukraine academic institution.
In October 2021, Ukraine signed its agreement to associate to Horizon Europe but it is not yet in force due to delays in the ratification process. In the meantime, the Commission has taken administrative steps to ensure that successful Ukrainian beneficiaries can receive funding from the EU R&I programmes.
As regards Russia, research cooperation with Russian entities has been suspended. Signing of new contracts has been put on hold until further notice. Additionally, payments to Russian entities under existing contracts have also been suspended until further notice.
Information about EU’s solidarity with and support to Ukraine is found here.
The Brussels Times
