The European Union’s program in the fields of education, training, youth, and sports for the period 2021–2027, which has provided opportunities to millions of participants over more than 30 years. It supports the academic mobility of students, faculty, and administrative staff, as well as joint projects between higher education institutions in different countries. The updated program is structured around three horizontal priorities: inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability. For universities, the key areas are credit mobility, partnerships for cooperation, joint Erasmus Mundus master’s programs, and the Jean Monnet Action. Ukraine has partner country status and, starting in 2025, began preparations to transition to associate country status for the 2028–2034 period. Ukrainian organizations have access to approximately 40 calls for proposals—as coordinators of capacity-building projects, applicants under the Jean Monnet program, and partners in international consortia.
The EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation for 2021–2027, one of the world’s largest in terms of funding for science. The program comprises three main pillars: frontier science (including European Research Council grants and Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships), global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, and an innovative Europe.
The main areas of the Horizon Europe program are as follows:
Area I. Frontier Research: European Research Council; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions; Research Infrastructures
Area II. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness:
Cluster 1 “Health”
Cluster 2: “Culture, Creativity, and an Inclusive Society”
Cluster 3: “Civil Security for Society”
Cluster 4: “Digital Technologies, Industry, and Space”
Cluster 5: “Climate, Energy, and Mobility”
Cluster 6: “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and the Environment”
Joint Research Center
Axis III. Innovative Europe: European Innovation Council; European Institute of Innovation and Technology; European Innovation Ecosystems.
A separate component consists of five EU research and innovation missions with clearly defined objectives, among which the European Commission has identified the following: adaptation to climate change, particularly to societal changes; cancer; preserving the cleanliness of the oceans and water resources; carbon-neutral and “green” cities; and preserving soil fertility to ensure sustainable food production;
Ukraine is an associated member of Horizon Europe, so Ukrainian scientists participate in calls for proposals on an equal footing with researchers from EU countries.
The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is the EU’s first programme aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of the economy and society for the period 2021–2027. Unlike Horizon Europe, which funds research, this program focuses on the practical implementation of digital technologies. It covers six key areas: high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the development of advanced digital skills, and the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society. An important component is the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), which help organisations implement digital solutions. Ukraine has joined the program, giving Ukrainian institutions access to relevant calls for proposals.
Creative Europe is a European Union program designed to support the cultural, creative, and audiovisual sectors for the period 2021–2027. It consists of three strands: CULTURE (support for artistic and cultural projects), MEDIA (the audiovisual industry), and a cross-sectoral strand (CROSS-SECTORAL). The program promotes transnational cooperation, artist mobility, cultural diversity, and the development of creative industries; the CULTURE strand specifically supports cultural heritage, architecture, music, and publishing. Ukraine is a participant in the program, and Ukrainian organizations can apply for grants in partnership with European institutions.
The European Defense Fund is an EU program to support joint research and development in the defense sector for 2021–2027. The Fund finances collaborative projects between companies, scientific institutions, and research centers in participating countries to develop defense technologies and capabilities. It consists of two complementary strands: research (full funding) and development (co-funding), and actively encourages the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises. The program is primarily focused on EU member states and associated countries, and participation by third countries is subject to restrictions related to security concerns. For universities, the relevance of this program depends on the availability of specialized dual-use research and corresponding technical fields.
Bologna Hub Peer Support Plus (BHPS+, 2025–2028) is a transnational initiative that supports the implementation of key Bologna Process commitments in the European Higher Education Area through personalized expert advising and the exchange of best practices among institutions. The project is coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and funded under the Erasmus+ program. It focuses on three key Bologna commitments: a three-cycle system aligned with the Qualifications Framework and ECTS; the recognition of qualifications in accordance with the Lisbon Convention; and quality assurance in accordance with ESG standards. Current topics are also addressed separately—the impact of artificial intelligence on learning, micro-qualifications, and the European Degree initiative. Notably, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute for Leadership, Innovation, and Development (ILID) are among the project’s official partners, and higher education institutions are invited to apply to participate in the consultation process.
The Baltic University Program is a network of more than 120 universities from ten countries in the Baltic Sea region that collaborate in the areas of sustainable development, education for sustainable development, environmental protection, and democracy. The program’s coordination center is located at Uppsala University (Sweden). The network organizes joint courses, seminars, conferences, research projects, and student events centered around the Sustainable Development Goals. Participation gives faculty and students access to teaching materials, international educational modules, and a platform for collaboration.
NATO’s “Science for Peace and Security” (SPS) program promotes practical cooperation in the field of civilian science and innovation between NATO member states and partner countries, including Ukraine. The program funds joint research projects, multi-year initiatives, training, and the procurement of equipment in areas related to security in the broadest sense. Priority areas include counterterrorism, cybersecurity, protection against chemical and biological threats, energy security, demining, and resilience to emergencies. Ukraine is one of the program’s most active partners. The program is relevant in the context of research related to food security, environmental sustainability, environmental protection, and disaster recovery. Participation takes the form of joint projects with partners from NATO countries. The program provides access to funding, networking opportunities, and state-of-the-art equipment. It is a valuable tool for applied research with a security dimension.
The Fulbright Program is a U.S. government academic exchange program established in 1946 and currently operating in more than 150 countries around the world. The program has been operating in Ukraine since 1992; during this time, hundreds of Ukrainians have studied, interned, and conducted research in the United States, while hundreds of American scholars have taught and worked at Ukrainian universities. The program offers grants to scholars, faculty members, graduate students, and alumni in a wide range of fields: the humanities, social sciences, exact sciences, engineering, and natural sciences. The flagship Fulbright Scholar (Visiting Scholar) Program grant enables recipients to conduct research at U.S. universities for a period of three to nine months; eligible applicants include candidates for doctoral degrees, Ph.D. holders, experienced researchers, and graduate students preparing to defend their dissertations. The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program also provides an opportunity to invite specialists to teach and develop academic programs at U.S. institutions.
Програма стипендій імені Лейна Кірклянда (Kirkland Program)
The Lane Kirkland Program is a prestigious Polish scholarship program established in 2000 by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and administered by the Leaders of Change Foundation, with financial support from the NAWA agency. The program is aimed at young leaders and professionals from Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia who hold a college degree, have professional experience, and are committed to advancing democracy and civil society in their home countries. The scholarship covers two semesters of study at Polish universities, a professional internship, and a Polish language course. There is also a separate Kirkland Research track for shorter research internships. Selection is competitive, with an annual deadline (usually in early March). Special participation conditions apply to Ukrainian candidates.
The program funds individual short-term internships for scholars, faculty members, and researchers from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine in V4 countries other than their country of citizenship or residence. Full-time doctoral students and individuals with a doctoral degree are eligible to apply. The internships are in-person and last from 2 to 10 weeks; the stipend is €500 per week, paid in two installments. Applications are submitted through the My Visegrad system twice a year: in January–May and in September–November, while funding is available. The fall application period runs through November 30, 2026.
The scholarships support master’s students and post-master’s students (doctoral candidates, postdocs, researchers) in all fields of study for up to two semesters at more than 190 accredited higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Citizens of V4 countries can travel to another V4 country and to a number of countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, including Ukraine, while citizens of these countries—particularly Ukraine—can study in V4 countries. Funding amount: €3,500 per semester for the scholarship recipient and €2,000 per semester for the host institution. The next call for applications will open on January 1, 2027, with a deadline of April 15, 2027.
The program funds short-term internships in two areas: citizens of V4 countries travel to institutions in the Western Balkans, and citizens of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) travel to V4 institutions. It is implemented in partnership with the Western Balkans Fund. Doctoral students and individuals with a doctoral degree are eligible to apply. Internships last 2–10 weeks, with a stipend of €500 per week; upon request, a travel grant of up to €500 is available. The application deadline for 2026 was May 17; internships will run from September 2026 through June 2027. Ukrainian citizens are not eligible for this program.
Research Grants at the Historical Archives of the EU
The Visegrad Fund and the European University Institute jointly offer grants to researchers from Central and Eastern Europe to conduct research on European integration at the EU Historical Archives in Florence. Applicants from the V4 countries, the Western Balkans, and the Eastern Partnership (including Ukraine) may be master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, or faculty members who earned their degree no more than ten years ago. A good command of English and a basic knowledge of French are required, and the expected outcome is a publication in the humanities or social sciences. The grant amounts to €5,000 to cover all expenses. The deadline is April 27 each year; applications should be sent to [email protected].
The program is implemented in collaboration with the Blinken Open Society Archivum in Budapest and enables researchers, artists, and journalists to work with archival collections. The fellowship amounts to €3,000 for two months of research and covers travel, modest living expenses, and accommodation. Anyone with a master’s degree in the social sciences or humanities may apply, and the program is not limited to citizens of V4 countries. The theme for the 2026–27 academic year is “Naming Reality.” The current application period is open until November 2026.
The program funds short-term mobility for young people aged 12–30 from at least two V4 countries and Ukraine. Its goal is to promote democratic values, civic engagement, and cross-border dialogue among young people. Any legal entity registered in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Ukraine may apply. The project must include at least one joint event and one public presentation with accompanying communications (offline or online), and the budget may reach €10,000. Implementation lasts up to 7 months, and the program is designed for trips and exchanges lasting up to 7 days. The current fall call for proposals opened on October 1, 2026; a draft project must be submitted by November 1, and the final application must be submitted by November 15, 2026. Results are expected on December 20. Subsequent rounds of applications are held twice a year: registration opens on March 1 and October 1, with deadlines on April 15 and November 15.
