The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) condemns the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as a gross violation of international law for which there is no justification whatsoever. As a consequence, Federal Research Minister Stark-Watzinger suspended cooperation in science and research with the Russian Federation. She assured the people in Ukraine of her solidarity, saying: “We support all efforts to end the war and the violence. We will maintain our contacts and continue cooperation with absolute resolve.”

The BMBF thus stands firmly by Ukraine’s side and is providing support to the country in times of war and for recovery. In the period immediately after the Russian attack in February 2022, support focused in particular on measures to cushion the dramatic consequences of the war. In the medium and long term, other instruments are gaining significance which effectively counteract the brain drain from the country and which support the preservation and development of scientific potential and the rebuilding of the country’s science system. A modern and efficient education and research landscape as well as the transfer of scientific findings to industry and society are the basis on which Ukraine will cope with the results of war and become more resilient to global challenges.

German-Ukrainian research cooperation

Few other countries maintain such intensive contacts in science as Ukraine does with Germany. This is thanks in part to the many years of cooperation between the BMBF and the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Many joint cooperation projects have been launched and research networks established thanks to regular bilateral funding activities. Cooperation continues even in times of war, and it is developing with a view to the future. Cooperation in research with Ukraine also continues in the area of energy & hydrogen and is being intensified so that the (re)building of a sustainable energy system is speedy.

Besides funding for research projects, the BMBF also provides support for the modernization, internationalization and digitalization of the Ukrainian research and higher education landscapes.

German-Ukrainian cores of excellence

The most important component of the BMBF’s contribution to recovery is the establishment of German-Ukrainian cores of excellence in Ukraine. The aim of the funding measure is to establish centres of scientific excellence within the country. This will lastingly strengthen bilateral research expertise and enhance the capacities of Ukraine’s research community to engage in top-class international research. The best four of twelve concepts for the establishment of cores of excellence, developed and submitted by German-Ukrainian teams, will be selected for funding. The projects will receive up to 2.5 million euros each for a maximum four-year implementation phase. A total of 13 million euros will be allocated for both funding phases.

One of the main ideas of the funding line – to unite both junior and experienced scientists in research groups and thus counteract the breakup of Ukraine’s science community due to displacement and migration – seems more important than ever, given the current situation. In order to take account of the situation in the regions strongly affected by the war, the projects will have the possibility to initially establish the working groups in Germany. These working groups are to transfer to Ukraine as soon as the security situation allows.

For a united Europe

Ukraine sees its future in Europe, in the EU. The granting of EU candidate status in June 2022 as well as Ukraine’s association to the Horizon Europe research framework programme open up new prospects for intensifying German-Ukrainian research collaborations. Close integration of Ukraine into European knowledge flows and value chains is essential for the country to develop its full potential.

The bilateral science cooperation between Germany and Ukraine which has been systematically developed over the past decades will also be useful for activities at European level. The aim of the BMBF’s “Bridge2ERA EaP” call is to involve research consortia from countries of the Eastern Partnership including Ukraine more closely in EU research framework programmes and thus promotes their integration into the European Research Area.