We are happy to introduce you to the 8th and last edition of the RI-LINKS2UA eJournal, Final Edition 2019. After 36 months of intensive work, the RI-LINKS2UA project is ending this month. The final public event on January 30 in Kyiv provided the opportunity to take stock of the project’s activities implemented and the impact achieved during the last 36 months. It was generally agreed that Ukraine’s further progress in the advancement of the national research and innovation sector is strongly conn…

A report on independent audit of Ukraine’s research and innovation system was presented in Kyiv two years ago. The audit, requested by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, was performed by European experts using instruments of political support provided by Horizon 2020 program. The report contained 30 recommendations for the Ukrainian government and scientific community. Today, it seems prudent to recall these recommendations and make a brief analysis of what has been done over the…

The study reviews access-to-finance conditions met by companies active in the European space sector and proposes potential solutions to improve them. One of the principal objectives of this study is to analyse how public funds in the EU could be deployed to attract private investment and otherwise catalyse the development of the sector, considering also that such public funding should be entitled to achieve adequate returns. The study further explores how soft measures and advisory services coul…

On January 30, the final event of the RI-LINKS2UA project took place in Kyiv. On January 30, the final event of the RI-LINKS2UA project titled "Fostering Research and Innovation in Ukraine - The Role of Science in the Ukrainian Innovations Development" was successfully held at City Hotel Kyiv. It was organised in oder to tack stock of the work, which was implemented under the project from 2016 until 2019. Moreover, it's aim was to initiate a discussion about possible future directions of the Ukrai…

In a bid to boost connectivity and economic growth in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, the European Commission and the World Bank have co-authored an Indicative trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Investment Action Plan that identifies priority projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Together, the projects will require an estimated investment of almost €13 billion and foresee a total of 4800 kilometres of road and rail, 6 ports, and 11 log…

Engaging in Academia - Industry collaboration: Success story on developing Industry 4.0 in Ukraine Are you a researcher or a project manager working in research, development and innovation projets? Do you want to increase the impact of your research? Investigate new collaborative innovation project opportunities? Or find out how to approach potential European partners and attract funding? The EaP+ RDI-related webinar series is exactly what you're looking for! This time, we are happy to invite you t…

The German Environment Agency (UBA) is hosting an international conference on environmental issues of mineral and metal supply and mining. It will bring together decision makers and experts in the thematic areas of mining, raw material supply, environmental assessment, climate change, sustainable supply chain management and sustainable resource management. About 150 participants from academia, business, up- and downstream industry, civil society and policy are expected on 19 – 20 February 2019 i…

Season's Greetings from RI-LINKS2UA Dear partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries! On behalf of the whole RI-LINKS2UA team we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For us, 2018 was a year full of activities and multiple events organised both in the EU and in Ukraine. To this end, we aim to contribute to the further exploitation of possibilities within Horizon 2020 for Ukrainian participants in the programme and support the Ukrainian stakeholders involved in the administration and diffus…

On the 4 October 2018, RI-LINKS2UA conducted its sixth webinar on "Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions". The webinar was led by Ms. Morgane Bureau, French MSCA NCP and by Ms. Géraldine Petit (CNRS). Please find the presentation of the webinar hereby attached.

Millions of Europeans suffering from one of the many rare diseases will have a new hope for improved diagnostics and better treatments and care, resulting in enhanced quality of life. This is thanks to a new research partnership launched by the European Commission. Working with a budget of over €100 million, of which €55 million will come from EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon 2020, the new European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) will aim to make sure that new treatments…

We are happy to introduce you to the 7th edition of the RI-LINKS2UA eJournal, “Winter edition” 2018. The RI-LINKS2UA eJournal informs you on a regular basis about the project's activities, upcoming events and recent developments on the EU-Ukraine cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation. The present 7th edition is at the same time the next to the last, as the project ends in February 2019. At the end of January next year a final edition will be published, highlighting the achievements ov…

How to assist Ukrainian SMEs in preparing a successful application under the Horizon 2020 SME instrument” which will be held in Kyiv on 5-6 December 2018 The practical workshop takes place in Kyiv (venue TBA) from December 5-6, 2018. The preliminary agenda 5th December 2018 09:00-09:30 Welcome note from EBRD (TBC) 09:30-10:30 Introduction on Horizon 2020 and the importance of impact for Horizon 2020 funded projects (Philipp BRUGNER) 10.30-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-13:00 Award criteria: How proposals are…

This is the sixth webinar organised under the RI-LINKS2UA project. The topic is: Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. In line with RI-LINKS2UA objectives to further encourage and facilitate cooperation between research actors from the EU and Ukraine and to promote EU-Ukrainian participation in joint projects in Horizon 2020, we are pleased to announce the next RI-LINKS2UA webinar on Horizon 2020 addressing future Ukrainian participants in EU funded S&T projects. This webinar will be the si…

This webinar wants to provide NCPs with a snapshot on the first year of implementation of the EIC PIlot in 2018, including the experiences from the three main related call (FET Open, SME Instrument Phase 1 and 2, Fast Track to Innovation). It will not be focussed on specific sectors/areas, but highlighting what emerged in terms of lessons learnt, best practices, success cases in this first year. Programme Introduction The FET Open in the EIC Pilot 2018 The SME Instrument and Fast track to innovation…

Following the Ministerial Decree signed on 16 October 2018 by Stepan Kubiv, the First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Office has been established. The Office has been launched with support of the European Union. Presently operating as an advisory body within the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine (MEDT), the SME Development Office is to become in the future the main institution in cha…

A meeting with Foreign Ministers of the 28 European Union Member States and the EU’s six Eastern partners – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – and Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, chaired by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, took place today in Luxembourg to take stock of the progress made under the 20 Delivera…

On the 12 October 2018, RI-LINKS2UA conducted its fifth webinar on "Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructures – Work Programme 2019". The webinar was lead by Ms. Géraldine Petit (CNRS) and Ms. Gaëlle Decroix, French RI NCP. The next RI-LINKS2UA webinars will be focusing on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Please find the presentation of the webinar hereby attached.

A total of 112 enterprises received UAH 380 million in loans during the first year of the programme of the German-Ukrainian Fund (GUF) to support investment projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the framework of the EU4Business initiative. The SME Investment Support Programme is funded through a €10 million loan from the German government, provided to Ukraine through the German Development Bank KfW within the framework of the SME Support Project. “Given the possible fluctuations…

This is the fifth webinar organised under the RI-LINKS2UA project - the topic is: Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructures – Work Programme 2019 In line with RI-LINKS2UA objectives to further encourage and facilitate cooperation between research actors from the EU and Ukraine and to promote EU-Ukrainian participation in joint projects in Horizon 2020, we are pleased to announce the next RI-LINKS2UA webinar on Horizon 2020 addressing future Ukrainian participants in EU funded S&T projects. This webina…

The RI-LINKS2UA project is organising a Horizon 2020 training focusing on 'How to write a successful proposal in Horizon 2020?'. The event will take place on Wednesday 17 October at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv. AGENDA (subject to change): 09h00: Registration 09h30: Welcome Word (Moderator: Gorazd A. Weiss, Senior Expert on Research Policy and Development, Centre for Social Innovation, Austria) Maksym Strikha, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education and Science, Ukraine Luc…

On 4-7 September the first in-house training of Ukraine NCP took place in Tartu and Tallinn. The first “swallow” in the row of the next visits was Energy NCP Andrey Tarelin from A.M. Pidgorny Institute for Mechanical Engineering Problems, located in Kharkov. The timetable was tight. Hosts from the Estonian Research Council wanted to introduce their colleague both to their work, to the Estonian research system in general, and to visit various research institutions: Centre for Entrepreneurship and…

This international information-day event will highlight research topics covered within the 2019 calls for proposals in Societal Challenge 6 Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective Societies of Horizon 2020. Participants will have the possibility to join in a matchmaking event dedicated to the topics of the 2019 Societal Challenge 6 call for proposals. The matchmaking event will give participants the opportunity to join pre-arranged meetings with other participants in or…

The JRC Week on Composite Indicators and Scoreboards is an annual five-day event. Local and international policy and decision makers, academics, think tanks, and practitioners in a wide range of socio-economic fields learn from best practices and showcase their capacity to inform policies through the use of indicator systems that summarise multidimensional concepts from social rights and social trust to innovation and competitiveness. What are the state-of-art methods to develop and audit indices…

We are happy to introduce you to the 6th edition of the RI-LINKS2UA eJournal, “Summer Edition” 2018. The RI-LINKS2UA eJournal informs you on a regular basis about the project's activities, upcoming events and recent developments on the EU-Ukraine cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation. This edition’s highlight is certainly the recent announcement made by the European Commission about its ambition to allocate a budget of €100 billion to Research and Innovation, making it the highest amou…

On the 28 of August 2018, RI-LINKS2UA conducted its fourth webinar on "ERC Grants and the new Horizon 2020 work programme 2019". The webinar was lead by Alexandre Voillequin from CNRS and Valentyna Andrushchenko, Ukrainian ERC NCP, and provided an overview of the RI-LINKS2UA project and of the different types of ERC grants. The next RI-LINKS2UA webinars will be focusing on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and Research Infrastructures. Please find the presentations of the webinar hereby attached.

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research will host a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Conference in Vienna (Austria), from 1-2 October 2018. In a year when core strategic objectives will be discussed in the EU research and education policy areas, the MSCA 2018 will serve as a key event in the Research and Innovation and Higher Education events calendar of the Austrian EU Presidency to shed a light on the importance of human ressources, career development and excellence. Durin…

The National Research Fund of Ukraine will start its operations in 2019 with the main task to provide grant support for research and development on a competitive basis. The relevant resolution was approved at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on July 4, 2018. The Regulations on the Fund has also been approved, stipulating the number of its employees – 60 people. The National Research Fund of Ukraine will work in the following areas: support of research and development activities p…

This is the fourth webinar organised under the RI-LINKS2UA project - the topic is: ERC grants and the new Horizon 2020 WP 2019 In line with RI-LINKS2UA objectives to further encourage and facilitate cooperation between research actors from the EU and Ukraine and to promote EU-Ukrainian participation in joint projects in Horizon 2020, we are pleased to announce the fourth RI-LINKS2UA webinar on Horizon 2020 addressing future Ukrainian participants in EU funded S&T projects. All RI-LINKS2UA webinars…

The case for Performance-based Research Funding Systems (PRFS) is building as more countries adopt them to increase the performance of their research system. To date, few comparative studies have been conducted bringing together practices and experiences with this relatively new policy instrument. The PSF Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) provided the platform for an extensive discussion on the challenges related to the design of PRFS and their position, role and value within the broader policy mix…

The first ever review of the ERC's innovation scheme – the Proof of Concept Grants - shows that the initiative is "sound in concept and effective in practice", helping ERC-funded scientists set up new companies, file patent applications and attract capital to make their research marketable. It also found that the scheme has brought about a significant cultural change within the research community. The assessment, carried out by independent experts, comes seven years after the ERC first introduce…

The organisation team of the European conference “INDustrial TECHnologies 2018 - Innovative industries for smart growth” (INDTECH2018) welcomes you to Vienna from 29-31 October, 2018. INDTECH2018, an event of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will combine keynote presentations, talks, a matchmaking event and exhibitions. It provides an excellent opportunity to meet experts from industry, academia and policy to exchange information and to strengthen collaboration. INDT…

Since its creation in 2007, the European Research Council (ERC) has become one of the leading research funders worldwide. As part of its monitoring and evaluation strategy, the ERC performs regular qualitative assessments of the research outputs from completed ERC projects. These ex-post peer-review assessments complement other approaches based on the analysis of the bibliometric information related to the projects. After the first two previous annual exercises (in 2015 and 2016), a new qualitati…

The multidisciplinary aspect of the bio-based economy makes it a hotbed for innovation, but at the same time makes it difficult to bring the innovations to the market as both the production processes, the value chains, and sometimes even the products are non- existing yet. A circular bio-based economy provides an opportunity to build new end-of-life option into material supply chains allowing the conversion of waste into useful and valuable resources by incorporating the principle of cascading us…

This publication is the final report of a study that contributed to the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020. It collected information and data on the overall development of synergies between Horizon 2020 and European Structural and Investment Funds. The study provided evidence that there is a legal basis for synergies in place and that there are overall implementation guidelines for all the institutional synergy actors involved. However, the overall development of synergies is considered by the s…

The latest issue of the ERC Magazine interviewed Carlos Moedas, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation on the Commission‘s plans for the European Research Council (ERC) in Horizon Europe in light of the proposed innovation programme, Horizon Europe. Why do we need a revised R&I funding programme? With growing international competition, research and innovation plays a vital role in ensuring Europe's future prosperity and the wellbeing of our citizens. The EU's current research and in…

The Forum of Ukrainian Research Diaspora "ADVANCING SCIENCE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION" is organized as a set of events to mark the centenary of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. This Forum is aimed at researchers working in Ukraine and abroad. It will include thematic scientific sessions, panels and round-table discussions to address important aspects of science and higher education reform currently undertaken in Ukraine. There also will be a session dedicated to German-Ukraini…

The European Council on 28 June adopted conclusions on: migration, security and defence, jobs, growth and competitiveness, innovation and digital, and on other issues. The European Council confirmed the set-up of an European Innovation Council for market-creating innovation under the next EU long-term budget. The Council also invited the Commission to launch a new pilot initiative on breakthrough innovation within the remaining time of Horizon 2020. Read the conclusions on the topic of innovatio…

The organizers invite you to participate in the International Conference on the Circular Economy – Rational Use of Raw Materials to be held in Cracow on 18-19 September 2018 in the Home Army Museum at 12 Wita Stwosza St., Cracow. The key element of a circular economy is the rational management of raw materials including that of metals, energy, chemicals and industrial raw materials as well as water and biomass. The improvement of such management is still a challenge for many countries, including…

The RI-LINKS2UA project in cooperation with the Lviv Polytechnics organized the Horizon 2020 Information Day within the framework of the IV Ukrainian-Polish Scientific Forum “Cross-border cooperation and common European space: theory, practice and new opportunities”, which took place in Lviv on June 7-8, 2018. On June 8th, the Information Day gathered around 30 participants from Lviv Polytechnics, Ivan Franko University and several research institutes. Participants of the Information Day had a ch…

The next European science and research funding programme, known as Horizon Europe, is designed to connect people with the achievements financed by their tax money, and to fix problems with innovation funding, according to Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. He spoke to Horizon magazine to coincide with the launch of the Horizon Europe proposals on 7 June. The plans for Horizon Europe contain a lot of continuity with Horizon 2020 but also some new element…

The purpose of the workshop will be a good reason for the dissemination and promotion of scientific research, knowing the newest knowledge and approaches in the field of attracting young people toward science and raising the level of society awareness about the importance of scientific research and technological development. The workshop will address the following issues and other related issues: Policies to motivate / attract / promote young people for research career and the impact on the labor…

Co-organised with the European Commission Directorate General for Research and Innovation, this conference will demonstrate how human biomonitoring activities contribute to science, policy making and citizens' awareness raising. Participants will see new results emerging from the Horizon 2020 co-financed European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) and will discuss the future of HBM in Europe. The agenda and registration modalities, information about the venue and accommodation possibilities c…

The conference "In ICT we trust?" follows a broad, non-reductive conception of cyber security which does not reduce the problem to a mere technical question. Rather, the emphasis is on ethical implications and sociocultural perceptions of digital environments. The establishment and general uptake of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in European societies is not just a question of functionality, (technical) security and usability. Program 28.6.2018 Conference 09:15-10:00 Registration Ope…

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has published its Annual Report for 2017. The report was released on 7 June 2018. In 2017, the JRC celebrated its 60th anniversary and this was also the first full year of implementation of the JRC's Strategy 2030. Among the highlights pointed out by the JRC in its report are the following: Providing policy support on several unexpected, complex and sensitive issues, such as the fipronil scandal, or dual food quality; Contributions to several ke…

Seven years Program (2014 - 2020) with a budget around €80 billion, Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation funding programme ever. On 27 October 2017, the European Commission presented the last Work Programme for Horizon 2020, covering the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 with budget around €30 billion. From June 12 to 14, 2018, representatives of the Ukrainian scientific community are invited to take part in the Horizon 2020 events hosted by the National University of Life and Environme…

With 8 companies floating on the stock market, 18 acquisitions and a total of €1.3 billion of extra private investment leveraged, the SME Instrument has established itself as an essential player on the European innovation scene. Since its start in 2014, the SME Instrument has invested in a unique selection of 3 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to get their breakthrough innovations faster on the market. With a network of 750 international business coaches and a growing community of g…

Individual Fellowships (IF) are a great option if you are an experienced researcher looking to give your career a boost by working abroad. They offer exciting new learning opportunities and a chance to add some sparkle to your CV. TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIPS There are two types of Individual Fellowships: European Fellowships Global Fellowships European Fellowships: are open to researchers moving within Europe, as well as those coming in from other parts of the world. can restart a research career a…

In the framework of the RI-LINKS2UA project the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI), and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine prepared the latest analytical Report about the Ukrainian participation in H2020. Ukraine became a new member of Associated Countries (AC) in March 2015. Since then, Ukrainian organizations have been able to fully participate in Horizon 2020 on equal terms…

According to the leaked draft paper on FP9 and the communications of European Commission officials, the new Framework Programme will be “an evolution, rather than a revolution”. The paper explains, that “the vast majority of the parts and features of Horizon 2020 will be continued, albeit with several optimisations and minor redesigns”. But what kind of changes can we except in the next couple of years? Here is what the paper outlines. 'Horizon Europe' European Commission officials are pitching Ho…

The conference will address key elements of the European higher education reform, for instance quality assurance, transparency instruments such as ECTS / Diploma Supplement but also the topic of recognition of qualifications. Opportunity to exchange experience In addition, the conference will also provide the opportunity to exchange experience between German, European and Ukrainian higher education representatives. Furthermore, participants will be informed about the results of the Bologna Ministe…

We are happy to introduce you the 5th edition of the RI-LINKS2UA E-Journal, our “Spring Edition” for 2018. The RI-LINKS2UA E-Journal informs you on a regular basis about the project's activities, upcoming events and recent developments in the EU-Ukraine cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation. A lot has happened since the publication of the last eJournal in winter last year. A special highlight that is presented in this eJournal is the approval of the Roadmap for Ukraine´s integration in…

Modern research has to act on social, economical and environmental developments to provide solutions for the existing and upcoming global challenges. For this reason, LANE 2018 offers a platform for an international exchange of ideas, opinions, perspectives, results and solutions concerning photonic technologies. In order to give a detailed overview, the conference aims not only at scientific contributions, but integrates the industrial perspective and their relevance for application, as well. Th…

The Collegium of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of Ukraine has approved The Roadmap for Ukraine's Integration into the European Research Area (ERA-UA). This is a strategic document required for long-term planning and development of further actions, such as a detailed action plan for the Roadmap implementation, which will specify milestones, necessary resources, etc. The ERA-UA Roadmap stipulates six key priorities of the development of: The effective national research systems; Optimal…

On 26 March 2018, the European Research Council has published its Annual Report on the ERC activities and achievements in 2017. One of the major ERC highlights in 2017 was the organisation of its tenth anniversary.The main celebration, that took place on 21 March in Brussels, was attended by around 500 people, with a video-message from Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and speeches from Commissioner Carlos Moedas, from the Chair of the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee Jerzy Buzek, the…

A lot of lip service is being paid to making scientific papers free to access but when it comes to action there is a lot of hypocrisy, according to Robert-Jan Smits, the EU's outgoing director-general for research, science and innovation. He has recently been appointed the EU's special envoy on open access, tasked with helping make all publicly funded research in Europe freely available by 2020. Making scientific publications free to read is a big change in a world dominated by subscription jour…

The first ever review of the ERC's innovation scheme – the Proof of Concept Grants - shows that the initiative is "sound in concept and effective in practice", helping ERC-funded scientists set up new companies, file patent applications and attract capital to make their research marketable. It also found that the scheme has brought about a significant cultural change within the research community. The assessment, carried out by independent experts, comes seven years after the ERC first introduce…

The Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine launches an all-Ukrainian communication campaign “Moving Forward Together” designed to increase awareness with Ukrainian audiences about the benefits and opportunities of EU-Ukraine cooperation. The initial campaign focus will be on the following EU priorities in Ukraine: The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), Conflict Response, Decentralisation, culture and innovation. The campaign highlights key EU programs and initiatives, including…

Science and technology touch almost every part of our daily lives. The food we eat, the medicines we take and healthcare we receive, transport, communications, protecting our environment, how we work and how we play: the list is endless! This is why each year the European Union is helping scientists, researchers and innovators from across Europe to work together. Because by working together we can achieve more. Today, the EU is funding thousands of active projects involving scientists, technolog…