EU to Launch Fellowship Program for Ukrainian Researchers in September, PlanWelcomed by European Universities

The European University Association (EUA), representing hundreds of universities and national rectors’ conferences in 48 countries in Europe, has welcomed the announcement of the European Commission to launch a new scheme in support of researchers from Ukraine.

The new scheme named “MSCA4Ukraine” will be funded under the Horizon Europe program’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Erudera reports.

In a media release, the Association said that MSCA4Ukraine’s fellowships will offer support to researchers from Ukraine to help them continue their work at academic and non-academic organizations in the EU Member States and in countries associated to Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation.

Under the support, researchers will not only be able to continue their work in the EU but at the same time maintain ties with research and innovation communities in Ukraine.

Moreover, the program will assist researchers in reintegrating in Ukraine, if it is safe enough to return, in a bid to prevent brain drain as well as to contribute to strengthening the university and research sector in the country and sector’s collaboration with the international research community.

Researchers’ families will also receive allowances under this scheme.

The consortium developing the scheme includes Scholars at Risk Europe (hosted at Maynooth University, Ireland) and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany). EUA is also part of the group implementing the scheme.

Meanwhile, the French national PAUSE programme (hosted by the Collège de France) and the global Scholars at Risk Network will be participating as associated partners.

“The MSCA4Ukraine scheme will provide an important EU response to the current emergency while demonstrating the EU’s core principles of academic freedom and freedom of scientific research,” EUA’s press release reads.

Work Programme 2021-2022 will focus on the following:

• foster scientific excellence
• skills and career development
• equal opportunities and inclusiveness
• attractive working conditions

The Association noted that it will continue its efforts, cooperating with partners of the Inspireurope, an initiative created to support researchers at risk due to persecution, discrimination, violence, etc.

The MSCA4Ukraine is part of the EU’s response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has a total budget of €25 million.

According to the European Commission, the scheme is an answer to the need to quickly support researchers escaping from Ukraine due to the war.

Earlier this year, EUA Suspends 12 Russian Universities Supporting Invasion of Ukraine after the Russian Union of Rectors (RUR), a union representing country’s universities, publicly declared that it supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

EUA suspended only universities which signed the statement.

>>EUA Calls Its Member Universities to Cease Collaboration With Any Central Government Agency in Russia