Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approvedThe Ministry of Education and Science prepared a draft Decree of the President of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Decrees of the President of Ukraine on Grants of the President of Ukraine to Young Scientists and Doctors of Science.” The document updates the conditions for providing grants to support research by young scientists, increases funding, and improves competitive selection procedures.
For the first time since the grants were introduced in 2009, their size has been significantly increased. An almost fivefold increase in funding is proposed:
- for doctors of sciences (up to 40 years old inclusive) — 7 grants of 500 thousand UAH each;
- doctoral students (up to 35 years old inclusive) — 20 grants of 400 thousand UAH each;
- Candidates of Sciences / Doctors of Philosophy (up to 35 years old inclusive) — 50 grants of 300 thousand UAH each;
- for doctors of sciences (up to 45 years old inclusive) – 20 grants of 700 thousand UAH each.
The increase in the size of grants takes into account inflation and the real needs of young scientists in ensuring the implementation of scientific projects. The updated procedure provides that grants will be provided for research and scientific and technical developments aimed at the current needs of the state: in the field of security and defense, economic development, responding to social challenges and technological innovations. This will allow concentrating support on projects with the greatest practical potential.
The document also details the rules of competitive selection. Only citizens of Ukraine who are constantly engaged in scientific activities in Ukraine will be able to apply for grants. The package of documents has been unified and verification of applicants by the National Research Foundation of Ukraine has been introduced. The Foundation will check compliance with formal criteria and form a ranking list of applications.
For the first time, the subsequent stages after the decision to provide a grant are clearly spelled out: the procedure for concluding contracts between the grantee, the institution and the NFDU, the deadlines for submitting reports and the rules for using funds. The possibility of a full refund of grants in case of violation of the terms of the contract is provided for.
After the presidential decree is approved, this instrument of support for young scientists will be significantly modernized, the transparency of competition procedures will be increased, and better conditions will be created for the implementation of projects by Ukrainian researchers.
