Pre-announcement: MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship Programme to be opened in September 2022

As part of its help to Ukraine affected by Russia’s invasion, the European Union strives to also support the Ukrainian research community whose ability to conduct research activities has been severely hampered by the war. One of the instruments that is intended to make it possible for Ukrainian scientists to continue their work in a safe environment as well as boost internationalisation of the Ukrainian research sector for the future, is the MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship Programme.

The scheme will be implemented by a consortium of 10 organisations led by the Scholars at Risk Europe, the European office of this global network hosted by the Irish Maynooth University. In May 2022, the European Commission extraordinarily allocated 25 mil. EUR from Horizon Europe to make this emergency programme a reality.

The MSCA4Ukraine Fellowship grants will enable Ukraine-based researchers to spend 6 months to 2 years at a host institution located in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe (excluding Ukraine). Fellows can be either Ukrainian citizens or third-country nationals who at the time of the Russian invasion (24 February 2022) had their primary residence in Ukraine. Both researchers who are physically present in Ukraine and those who have already fled the country (on 24 February 2022 or afterwards) will be eligible. The maximum amount to be granted to each host institution (covering the recruitment of several researchers) is 2 mil. EUR (to be confirmed in the call for proposals).

Though Ukraine-based host institutions will not be permitted to apply, individual fellowships might include a secondment or a reintegration phase on the territory of Ukraine if the safety conditions are conducive.

The initiative takes the form of the cascade funding (also known as the “financial support to third parties"), i.e., applications will be submitted directly to the implementing consortium. Only future host institutions are allowed to apply, applications by individual researchers will not be evaluated.

Supporting documents as well as other preliminary criteria the application must fulfil are listed in the call pre-announcement. Detailed requirements are expected to be made available together with the opening of the call in September 2022.

Research stays will be financed in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Networks and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships rules (i.e., country correction coefficients listed in the MSCA Work Programme 2021-2022 will be applied when determining the living allowance).