Deadline: 13-May-2026
Expertise France is offering a grant of up to €150,000 to develop a national incubation programme in Ukraine, led by universities to strengthen the startup ecosystem. The initiative focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive participation, targeting youth, women, veterans, and displaced persons. It requires nationwide implementation across at least 10 regions and includes sub-grants of up to €10,000 for high-performing startups.
Overview of the Programme
This grant by Expertise France aims to build a strong, university-driven startup ecosystem in Ukraine.
It falls under Pillar 2: Backing High Added-Value Segments and High-Performance Incubation, supporting innovation through education, incubation, and acceleration.
The programme is designed to contribute to Ukraine’s economic recovery and long-term resilience.
Core Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen university-led innovation ecosystems
- Support startup creation and scaling
- Promote inclusive entrepreneurship (youth, women, veterans, IDPs)
- Foster collaboration between academia, industry, and investors
- Build regional innovation communities
- Align Ukraine’s startup ecosystem with European and global standards
Key Focus Areas
The call prioritizes:
- University-based incubation programmes
- Student-led startup development
- Regional ecosystem strengthening
- Cross-city and cross-sector collaboration
- Innovation-driven economic recovery
- Inclusive participation and diversity
Funding Details
The grant includes:
- Maximum funding: €150,000
- Minimum co-financing: 10% (non-EU sources required)
- Sub-grants: Up to €10,000 per startup (third-party support)
- One national-level grantee selected
Funding supports both programme implementation and startup-level financial support.
Programme Structure
The programme must:
- Cover at least 10 regions across Ukraine
- Run for a maximum of 12 months
- Include a minimum 6-month incubation phase
- Conduct nationwide participant selection
- Organize launch and closing events
- Ensure strong media and outreach visibility
What the Programme Supports
Selected organizations will implement:
- Structured incubation programmes for students
- Startup mentoring and training
- Early-stage startup funding (sub-grants)
- Collaboration between universities, investors, and industry
- Regional innovation ecosystem development
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be legally registered entities in Ukraine
- Have experience supporting startups or entrepreneurs
- Demonstrate capacity to manage donor-funded projects
- Have experience with sub-granting mechanisms
- Be capable of national-level programme implementation
Eligible entities include:
- Universities and startup schools
- Incubators and accelerators
- NGOs and public sector organizations
- International organizations operating in Ukraine
Applicants can apply individually or as a consortium (only one application allowed per applicant).
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
- Develop a national incubation programme design
- Ensure inclusion of at least 10 regions
- Build partnerships with universities and ecosystem actors
- Design transparent startup selection process
- Include sub-granting mechanism for startups
- Submit proposal to Expertise France
- Undergo evaluation and selection
- Implement programme with incubation, funding, and outreach
Why It Matters
This initiative is critical because:
- Startups drive innovation and economic recovery
- Universities are key hubs for talent and ideas
- Inclusive entrepreneurship supports social stability
- Regional innovation strengthens national resilience
- Alignment with global standards boosts competitiveness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak national coverage (less than 10 regions)
- Lack of clear incubation structure
- Poor outreach and communication strategy
- No clear sub-granting mechanism
- Limited experience in startup ecosystem support
- Missing co-financing requirement
Tips for a Strong Application
- Build strong university partnerships
- Design a clear, structured incubation model
- Demonstrate nationwide reach and impact
- Include measurable startup outcomes
- Ensure transparency in participant selection
- Highlight experience in managing similar programmes
FAQ
What is this Expertise France programme about?
It funds the development of a national university-led incubation programme to support startups in Ukraine.
How much funding is available?
Up to €150,000, with at least 10% co-financing required.
Who can apply?
Ukrainian legal entities such as universities, incubators, NGOs, and international organizations.
How long is the programme?
Up to 12 months, including a minimum 6-month incubation period.
Does the programme fund startups directly?
Yes, through sub-grants of up to €10,000 per startup.
What regions must be covered?
At least 10 regions across Ukraine.
Can organizations apply in partnership?
Yes, as a consortium, but only one application per applicant is allowed.
Conclusion
The Expertise France grant presents a strategic opportunity to strengthen Ukraine’s startup ecosystem through university-led incubation and inclusive innovation.
By combining funding, structured incubation, and ecosystem collaboration, it supports scalable startups while contributing to economic recovery and long-term resilience.
For more information, visit Expertise France.
