The Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), together with international partners, is organising funding for research groups composed of Ukrainian scientists. The programme will be funded by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Long-term thinking is necessary to secure the future development of Ukrainian science. The Polish Academy of Sciences, together with international partners, is organising funding for research groups composed of Ukrainian scientists. The change from supporting individuals to research groups will provide stability over a three-year period and an opportunity for Ukrainian researchers to develop. The new programme will attract the top performers.

Researchers will be able to conduct research in the PAN network of institutes for a maximum of three years. The assumed annual budget will be up to $200,000 per research group, or $600,000 for three years. A research group will comprise up to five people. Like other international programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe), applicants will have to demonstrate specific skills and experience.

This is also an opportunity for researchers who have remained in Ukraine. Although the group will work together on the project, only the (Principal Investigator) is required to stay in Poland. He or she will also have the opportunity to carry out research internships of several months in leading European and American units.

“The support programme is open to scientists with Ukrainian citizenship and researchers employed in Ukrainian scientific units before 24 February 2022”, notes Mateusz Białas, Director of the Representative Office of the ‘Polish Academy of Sciences’ in Kyiv.

The final number of supported research groups will depend on the overall budget. These issues are still under discussion with the partners. The requirements for applicants and all details will soon be available on the PAN website.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński