Deadline: 01-May-2026
The National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) is funding individual research and development projects led by Ukrainian researchers to support the country’s technological, economic, social, and cultural development. The call offers up to UAH 100 million total funding for 2027–2028 and is open to eligible researchers employed at Ukrainian higher education or research institutions.
What is the NRFU Individual Research Projects Call?
The National Research Foundation of Ukraine is inviting applications for outstanding individual research and development (R&D) projects.
The program supports research that contributes to:
- Technological advancement
- Economic growth
- Social development
- Cultural progress
- National resilience and competitiveness
- Sustainable development in Ukraine
This call is aimed at individual researchers whose work aligns with Ukraine’s priority science and technology development areas under national law.
Funding Amount
Total funding available
- Up to UAH 100 million total
Annual allocation
- Up to UAH 50 million for 2027
- Up to UAH 50 million for 2028
Funding is intended for projects that match Ukraine’s priority branches of science and technology.
Priority Research Areas
Eligible projects should align with one or more of the following thematic areas:
- National security and defense
- Fundamental research addressing urgent:
- scientific
- technical
- socio-economic
- socio-political
- human development challenges
- Information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Power and energy efficiency
- Rational use of natural resources
- Life sciences
- New technologies for prevention and treatment of common diseases
- New substances and materials
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be a researcher employed at a Ukrainian higher education institution or research institution
- The institution must be registered under Ukrainian law
- Hold a recognized academic degree
- Submit the application through a legal entity that can provide the necessary research infrastructure
Who is Not Eligible?
The following are not eligible:
- Individuals holding senior leadership positions in eligible institutions
- Employees of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine
- Researchers whose primary affiliation is with a foreign institution
- Applicants submitting more than one proposal
- Researchers who are already acting as principal investigator in another ongoing or pending NRFU call
Key Application Rules
Important restrictions include:
- Only one proposal per applicant
- The applicant cannot simultaneously serve as PI in another ongoing or pending NRFU competition
- The proposal must be submitted through an eligible Ukrainian legal entity
- The host institution must guarantee research infrastructure and implementation capacity
Why This Call Matters
This call is important because it:
- Supports high-quality Ukrainian-led research
- Strengthens national science and innovation capacity
- Aligns research with Ukraine’s strategic priorities
- Encourages solutions for defense, health, energy, ICT, and sustainability
- Helps build long-term global competitiveness
For Ukrainian researchers, this is a major opportunity to secure national funding for independent, high-impact research projects.
Tips for Applicants
- Make sure your project clearly matches one of the priority thematic areas
- Show strong alignment with Ukraine’s science and technology priorities
- Confirm your host institution can provide the required infrastructure
- Avoid eligibility conflicts if you are involved in another NRFU proposal or grant as PI
- Keep the proposal focused, original, and clearly relevant to national needs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting while serving as PI in another ongoing or pending NRFU call
- Applying through an institution that cannot guarantee research infrastructure
- Failing to prove alignment with priority branches of science and technology
- Applying with a primary foreign institutional affiliation
- Submitting more than one proposal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total funding available?
The call offers up to UAH 100 million in total funding.
2. How is the funding distributed?
- Up to UAH 50 million in 2027
- Up to UAH 50 million in 2028
3. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are researchers employed at Ukrainian higher education institutions or research institutions registered under Ukrainian law, with a recognized academic degree.
4. Can a researcher with a foreign primary affiliation apply?
No. Applicants whose primary affiliation is with a foreign institution are not eligible.
5. Can I submit more than one proposal?
No. Each applicant may submit only one proposal.
6. Can I apply if I am already a PI in another NRFU call?
No. You cannot simultaneously act as principal investigator in another ongoing or pending NRFU competition.
Conclusion
The National Research Foundation of Ukraine Individual R&D Projects Call is a significant funding opportunity for researchers working on strategic, high-impact scientific and technological challenges. With up to UAH 100 million available across 2027–2028, the call supports research that can directly contribute to Ukraine’s innovation, resilience, public health, energy security, and sustainable development.
For more information, visit NRFU.
