Selection of research infrastructures – National Research Foundation of Ukraine (RIFF project)

Ukraine’s research institutions now have a concrete pathway to the European Research Area: the RIFF project has launched an Open Call for Research Infrastructures (RIs), inviting existing and future Ukrainian RIs to apply for inclusion in the first-ever RI Roadmap for Ukraine. The call runs from 13 April to 13 July 2026, and this is the only opportunity for an RI to be considered for the Roadmap.

Inclusion in the Roadmap does not guarantee direct funding. However, upon its completion, the Roadmap will be actively promoted among international donors – including the European Commission, EU national governments, investment banks, and foundations – to increase each listed RI’s chances of attracting future support.

What Is RIFF and Why Does It Matter for Ukrainian Research

RIFF stands for Research Infrastructures for the Future of Ukraine. It is an EU-funded project coordinated by Masaryk University (Czech Republic) and brings together a consortium of 14 European and Ukrainian institutions, including the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU), Kyiv Academic University, Lviv Polytechnic National University, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and major European research centres such as DESY (Germany) and SOLARIS (Poland).

The core goal of RIFF is to deliver a “Roadmap for Recovery and Enhancement of Research Infrastructures in Ukraine” – a strategic document that maps existing and planned Ukrainian RIs against European standards and connects them to the European Research Area. The project uses peer-review methodology established by ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures), engaging panels of internationally recognised experts.

To build this Roadmap, RIFF has launched an Open Call that invites Ukrainian research infrastructures to submit expressions of interest. Each application goes through an eligibility check, an expert review, and a prioritisation process before being included in the Roadmap.

Who Can Apply: Two Tracks

The Open Call accepts applications from two distinct categories of research infrastructures. Before applying, every applicant must verify that their institution meets the definition of a research infrastructure as established in Ukrainian legislation, which aligns with the EU RI definition. More detail on this requirement appears in the application form itself.

What Participation in RIFF Gives Your Institution

Applying to the RIFF Open Call opens up two levels of benefit, regardless of whether an RI ultimately receives direct funding.

Inclusion in the RI Roadmap. The Roadmap will serve as an official strategic document actively promoted by RIFF to the European Commission, national governments across the EU and beyond, investment banks, and foundations. Inclusion significantly increases an RI’s visibility among international donors and raises its chances of securing future financing.

Access to RIFF project activities. All applicants gain the opportunity to participate in trainings for research infrastructure managers, study visits, workshops, thematic summits, summer schools, and fellowship programmes organised within the RIFF project.

Connections with EU research infrastructures. The call also serves as a networking channel, enabling Ukrainian RIs to build direct linkages with major European research infrastructures for future joint projects.

Key Parameters of the Open Call

How to Apply

To take part in the Open Call, an RI must complete and submit the online application form available on the RIFF project website. The first step is to determine which track applies – Track 1 for existing RIs or Track 2 for future RIs – and then carefully check that the institution meets the definition of a research infrastructure as set out in Ukrainian legislation.

The application form is fully in Ukrainian. After submission, all applications go through an eligibility check, an expert review, and a prioritisation process. This Open Call represents the only route for a research infrastructure to be considered for the RIFF Roadmap.

For questions about the application form, applicants can use the dedicated Help Desk on the RIFF website. A Frequently Asked Questions section is also available at riff.muni.cz.

Useful links:

Application form: riff.muni.cz/forms/open-call-for-ris

Webinar registration: riff.muni.cz – registration form

Help Desk: riff.muni.cz/open-call/open-call-help-desk

Information Webinars

RIFF organises two information webinars to support applicants throughout the call period. Both webinars take place in Ukrainian and cover the application process in detail.

Register for a webinar: riff.muni.cz – registration form