Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Research Council (ERC) has taken significant steps to support Ukrainian researchers affected by the war. ERC is one of the most prestigious research funding bodies in the world, known for supporting pioneering frontier research across all scientific fields.
Employment opportunities for displaced researchers
In 2022, the ERC called on its grantees to offer temporary employment to Ukrainian researchers, technical staff, and lab managers. The initiative was renewed in 2023, resulting in over 700 job openings, which were published on the ERC website and other relevant platforms to help displaced Ukrainian scholars find safety and continue their scientific work.
Mentoring initiative in 2024
In 2024, the ERC launched a dedicated mentoring initiative for Ukrainian researchers, developed in cooperation with the Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine and the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU). The initiative connects Ukrainian scientists with experienced ERC grantees who provide guidance on:
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developing high-quality ERC grant proposals
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navigating the application process
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enhancing academic competitiveness and international integration
More details are available here:
ERC Mentoring Initiative for Ukrainian Researchers
What types of ERC grants are available?
Ukrainian researchers are eligible to apply under the same conditions as EU applicants, since Ukraine is an associated country to Horizon Europe. The ERC offers five main types of funding:
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Starting Grant – for early-career researchers (2–7 years after PhD)
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Consolidator Grant – for researchers with 7–12 years of experience post-PhD
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Advanced Grant – for established researchers with significant achievements
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Synergy Grant – for 2–4 researchers tackling ambitious interdisciplinary projects
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Proof of Concept Grant – for ERC grantees seeking to commercialize or scale up results
Additional support for Ukrainian researchers
Beyond ERC, several EU programs and platforms provide extensive support:
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Horizon Europe – main EU research and innovation programme
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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – fellowships and research mobility
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ERA4Ukraine via EURAXESS – tailored resources for Ukrainian researchers
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Science4Refugees – job support for refugee scientists
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EURAXESS Network – jobs, funding, and researcher support across Europe
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National and institutional programs – country-specific funding and guidance available via EURAXESS
Conclusion
Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian scientists remain part of Europe’s research future. ERC and other EU initiatives provide vital tools for continuing scientific work, securing funding, and staying connected with the global research community.
If you need help navigating funding calls or preparing applications, GetGrant Service offers expert support for Ukrainian researchers working with international grants.