The National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) has announced a new competition for individual scientific projects. What makes this call distinctive is its format: the project supervisor is the sole author and performer, with no partners or team members allowed. If you are a researcher with a scientific degree, employed at a Ukrainian higher education institution or research institute, and have a concrete idea for a two-year study, this is one of the few domestic calls with a deadline just weeks away.
More opportunities for researchers and universities are collected in the GetGrant article “Grants for Universities and Researchers 2026”.
| Grant per project up to UAH 1,000,000 |
Deadline 1 May 2026 |
Total competition budget up to UAH 100 million |
Organiser NRFU |
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Purpose and Context
The “Individual Research Projects 2027-2028” competition is designed to support cutting-edge scientific research and development by Ukrainian scientists working independently. It differs fundamentally from other NRFU programmes: rather than funding research teams, it supports a single researcher without any partners or co-authors.
The thematic scope covers all fields of science, from fundamental to applied research. The core requirement is that the project must correspond to at least one priority direction of science and technology development defined under Ukrainian law.
Thematic Directions
The project topic must correspond to at least one of the following directions:
National security and defence
Research that strengthens Ukraine’s defence capability and national security.
Fundamental scientific research
The most critical problems of scientific, technological, socioeconomic and human potential to ensure Ukraine’s competitiveness.
Information and communication technologies
IT, cybersecurity, digitalisation and related fields.
Energy and energy efficiency
Renewable energy, energy conservation, diversification of energy systems.
Rational use of natural resources
Ecology, sustainable development and natural resource management.
Life sciences and new healthcare technologies
Medicine, biology, pharmaceutics and related disciplines.
New substances and materials
Materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry.
Funding and Timeline
The competition offers a total budget of up to UAH 100 million. Each project can receive a maximum grant of UAH 1,000,000, which the organizers divide into two equal annual installments of up to UAH 500,000. This total amount includes all legally required taxes and payroll charges.
Participants must implement projects in two interim stages: from approximately March to November 2027 and March to November 2028. The rules prohibit the redistribution of funds between these stages. Eligible costs cover only the project supervisor’s labor and payroll charges; this call does not fund equipment, travel, or materials.
The organizers expect to announce the competition results by 15 December 2026 (indicative). Winning projects will begin their execution in 2027.
Who Can Apply
The project supervisor and sole executor must simultaneously meet all of the following conditions:
| Holds a scientific degree obtained or recognised in Ukraine |
| Works exclusively as a primary employee at a higher education institution or state/municipal research institute registered in Ukraine |
| Does not have an ongoing selection procedure in another NRFU competition as a project supervisor |
| Is not the head of the institution (rector, director, vice-rector, deputy director of a research institute, etc.) |
| Has no research collaboration with representatives of the aggressor state or temporarily occupied territories after 24 February 2022 |
One individual may submit only one application to this competition. Submitting more than one application results in the rejection of all submissions from that person. Projects containing classified state secret information are not eligible for consideration.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted exclusively online through the automated system “NRFU Project Competition” at grants.nrfu.org.ua. Paper applications are not accepted.
The full list of required documents and application requirements is available in the official competition terms. Note that technical support (system issues) and non-technical queries (competition information) are handled through separate contact channels listed on the NRFU website. The Foundation does not provide consultations on project content or applicant eligibility assessment.
Application window opens: 1 April 2026
Application deadline: 1 May 2026
Results announced: by 15 December 2026 (indicative)
Project execution: 2027–2028
Submit applications at: grants.nrfu.org.ua
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