At the outset of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the European Commission showed its solidarity with the country and its research and innovation community.

The need for prompt action led to the creation of the MSCA4Ukraine fellowship scheme, supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

The scheme is part of the wider EU’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Thanks to MSCA4Ukraine, 125 doctoral and postdoctoral fellows who were forced to flee Ukraine can continue their valuable work in various domains of research and innovation with advantageous conditions and access to training, skills and career development opportunities.

These researchers are spread across 21 EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries.

They are helping safeguard Ukraine’s research and innovation system, and freedom of scientific research at large.

Maintaining connection to Ukraine

The importance for MSCA4Ukraine researchers to maintain a connection to their country and local research and innovation community cannot be understated. That is why the scheme strongly encourages cooperation with their counterparts in Ukraine.

Keeping this collaboration will also facilitate the return to and reintegration in Ukraine of supported researchers once the circumstances allow, to rebuild the country’s research and innovation capacity. This will also strengthen the cooperation and integration between the scientific communities of the EU and Ukraine.

Helping their country from abroad

Although supported researchers were free to pursue any research subject, a significant number of the fellows chose to work on issues that would help their country.

From investigating international crimes to developing a strategic framework for Ukrainian IT specialists, MSCA4Ukraine fellows work tirelessly to make a valuable contribution to their community in Ukraine.

Read these interviews with MSCA4Ukraine fellows on their work and life away from home in Ukraine.