For Ukrainian scientists to make a significant contribution to their country’s recovery after the war, they must be able to continue their work while the war lasts. Therefore, the BMBF has launched a 4-year package of measures providing 24 million euros until 2028 to support the Ukrainian science community (BMBF-Initiative Wiederaufbau Ukraine). The BMBF is also supporting science professionals from Ukraine.

Package of measures for the next four years

The package of measures includes four Ukrainian-German Cores of Excellence that are now receiving funding. These centres in Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv will give new impetus to cutting-edge research worldwide in

• medical and pharmaceutical research,
• nanomaterials,
• quantum-based and digital technologies, and
• history studies.

In addition, investments will be made to establish the Green Deal Ukraïna think tank, which is being realized as a trilateral project between Germany, Poland and Ukraine. The BMBF is also funding measures to support reform processes, expand scientific capacity and advance the integration of Ukraine into the European Research Area.

Ukrainian students and researchers in Germany

Germany is a central destination for scientific staff and students from Ukraine. More than 11,000 Ukrainian students are studying at German universities, in addition to over 1,000 Ukrainian researchers whom Germany has welcomed since February 2022. This is the highest number worldwide outside of Ukraine itself.

The German Federal Government is cooperating with the German Länder and science organizations to be able to offer students and researchers from Ukraine not only safe haven but also the best possible prospects for training and self-development.

Ukraine Recovery Conference

The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) took place in Berlin on 11‑12 June 2024. The conference prepared the long-term recovery of Ukraine. Some 2,000 high-ranking government representatives and experts engaged in two days of discussion about reconstruction projects, private-sector investment and civil society initiatives to rebuild the country so badly damaged as a result of the Russian war of aggression.

Education and research featured as a topic in their own right for the first time. Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger participated in a panel discussion on “Education, Science and Innovation in Times of War and Beyond” that also included Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Yevhen Kudriavets.