The LUKE (Linking Ukraine to the European Research Area) initiative, funded by the European Union, has announced the LUKE Joint Call. The programme strengthens research and innovation cooperation between Ukraine and EU countries. In addition, it combines joint funding with capacity-building instruments. As a result, it supports Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area.
The call builds on the alignment of EU and Ukrainian strategic priorities. Moreover, it reflects analytical studies, public consultations and expert workshops. These activities involved researchers and innovation stakeholders from multiple countries. Therefore, the consortium identified thematic areas with high scientific and societal relevance. These areas matter for Ukraine’s post-war recovery and long-term development.
Key thematic areas of the call
LUKE Joint Call supports interdisciplinary research and innovation projects. Specifically, it focuses on four main thematic areas.
Sustainable and renewable energy and energy security. Projects may address decentralised energy systems. They can also support the integration of renewable energy sources. In addition, proposals may target higher energy efficiency. Finally, they may strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.
IT and cybersecurity. This area supports research on cyber resilience for critical infrastructures. It also covers adaptive cybersecurity systems. Furthermore, it welcomes solutions using artificial intelligence. It may also include work on post-quantum cryptography.
Medical and health research. The scope includes telemedicine and remote healthcare solutions. It also supports biomedical research. In particular, projects can develop new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. These approaches should address complex diseases.
Social sciences and humanities. Projects may focus on social reconciliation. They can also address sustainable social development. In addition, they may support human capital restoration. Moreover, they can examine the societal and labour market impacts of war.
Approach and expected results
The call welcomes both basic and applied research. At the same time, it prioritises interdisciplinarity. It also emphasises practical relevance. Therefore, projects should support rapid knowledge transfer. They should also test solutions in real-life conditions. In addition, they should help develop long-term strategies. These strategies should guide sectoral development in Ukraine.
The expected outcomes support Ukraine’s recovery. Moreover, they strengthen scientific cooperation with the EU. As a result, projects can help build resilient innovation ecosystems. These ecosystems can grow in energy, digital technologies, healthcare and social development.
Who can participate
LUKE Joint Call is open to consortia of research organisations, universities and other innovation actors. Applicants can come from Ukraine and European Union countries. In addition, projects should ensure balanced international cooperation. They should also align with national and European research priorities.
Source of information
The description of thematic areas and the overall approach is based on the official document LUKE Joint Call: Topic Descriptions. The LUKE consortium prepared this document with support from the European Union. For more detail, consult the full text. It includes topics, challenges and expected results.
More international funding opportunities for research and innovation are available in the grants section of the GetGrant service.