Once upon a time, Ukrainian science was the same quiet force that pushed society forward, issued patents, won grants and held on its shoulders what was left of the national intellect. But today this quiet strength is more like a marathon runner running through a minefield in a gas mask. Destroyed laboratories, broken budgets, scientists laid off at work or on the front lines — all these are the realities of science. She stubbornly tries to survive when she is told from all sides that this is not a priority direction in a warring country. Let’s try to find out whether our state has a chance to collect the fragments of its intellectual potential, or whether we are all watching its last breath together.
A new initiative of the Ministry of Education and Culture to improve the activities of science parks
Recently, work on the Science City project began in Ukraine, the purpose of which is to improve the work of science parks created at institutions of higher education and scientific institutions for the development of scientific, technical and innovative activities. This is stated in posts in Telegram – the channel of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for innovation, education, science and technology Mykhailo Fedorov.
According to the Ministry of Education and Culture, there are currently 36 science parks in Ukraine, the founders of which are institutions of higher education, scientific institutions and state enterprises. The specific weight of contributions of budgetary institutions to the authorized capital of science parks ranges from 2% (Science Park “Cardio Plus”) to 99% (Science Park “Naukograd – Kharkiv”). Among the main functions of such parks are the following:
- creation of new types of innovative products;
- implementation of measures for the commercialization of these products;
- organization and provision of production of knowledge-intensive, innovative products competitive on domestic and foreign markets;
- informational and methodological, legal and consulting support for the founders and partners of the science park, providing them with patent and licensing assistance.
But, as Fedorov noted, only five actually work, while all the others exist only on paper. This project will contribute to increasing the number of potential partners, will provide an opportunity for universities and scientific institutions to receive tax and customs benefits. Science City also provides benefits for customs clearance of scientific equipment and joint laboratories, collective use centers and temporary free use of equipment for science parks. When certifying the activities of universities, the results of the activity of science parks will also be taken into account. After the implementation of the changes, information about all science parks, their development programs and work results will be available for viewing in an open register. According to MES experts, this project will create favorable conditions for development Ukrainian science and attracting investments in science-intensive innovations. Scientists themselves will have more opportunities to bring their innovative developments to the market. Moreover, they will not be distracted by administrative issues, because this will now be the sphere of competence of science parks. Now the Ministry of Education and Culture has submitted this project for public discussion.
The current state of Ukrainian science
Ukrainian science today is like an old book that no one has read for years, but it is a pity to throw it away, because it seems that it is still needed. It survives in conditions when global corporations are developing artificial intelligence, and our scientists sometimes do not have artificial lighting. It doesn’t just sound sad, but rather like a sentence. “And what did you want? There is a war in the country,” officials say. But such a situation existed long before the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine.
The brain drain from Ukraine began back in the 90s, when scientists realized that it is easier to build a prestigious career in the laboratories of Germany, the USA or Canada than in impoverished institutes, where you are more likely to see a hungry laboratory technician than a working microscope. At the time, it seemed like a temporary hardship. But for some reason, this temporality has lasted for more than 30 years, and talented mathematicians, physicists and chemists still cross the border at one end.
A full-scale invasion in 2022 only accelerated this process. Bombing of universities, destroyed laboratories, budgets that suddenly disappeared under the label “military needs”. It is clear that in such an unstable situation it is simply impossible to keep young scientists in the country. They pack their bags and go to a place where their work is really needed and paid accordingly, and not just valued in words.
Six years ago, the National Research Fund was established in Ukraine. This state organization was involved in issuing grants for scientists on a competitive basis on research in the field of natural, technical, social and humanitarian sciences and applied scientific research. In 2021 budget The fund was increased by 153.3% (up to UAH 699.2 million). Scientific research costs at the National Academy of Sciences increased by a third – up to UAH 465.6 million. For science at the level of universities, 100 million was laid in the state budget. For 2022, the state budget planned UAH 791.6 million (+13.2%) for the National Research Fund; UAH 567.3 million (+21.8%) – for research at the level of the National Academy of Sciences; UAH 105 million (+5%) for science at the university level. But the full-scale invasion made its corrections and all the provided funds were directed to the reserve fund of the state budget. And in 2023, spending on science was generally reduced: the National Research Fund – UAH 466.8 million (-41%), the National Academy of Sciences – UAH 335.9 million (-40.8%), research at universities – 18.2 million UAH (-82 7%). In 2024, state spending on science increased slightly. Thus, UAH 568.7 million (+21.8%) were allocated to the Research Fund, UAH 534.7 million (+59.2%) to the National Academy of Sciences, UAH 118.2 million (+549.5%) to research in universities ).
It is quite obvious that today Ukrainian science in our country is like a poor relative. One gets the impression that scientists are treated in government offices as if they were people who are making something up for themselves, while officials seem to be saving the country on all fronts. The budget will always find money for anything — from expensive cars for officials to “urgent repairs” of obscure objects. But there is no money for science.
The situation is simple and painful: the state does not finance science because it considers it a luxury. And scientists are forced to look for prospects abroad, where intelligence is not only valued, but also well paid. In Germany, Canada, or the United States, a Ukrainian chemist or physicist can achieve in a few years what he would not receive at home in a lifetime: funding, equipment, and respect. The salary of a scientist in Ukraine is often lower than that of a supermarket cashier. And if the cashier at least has stability, then scientists live in a state of permanent expectation: suddenly a grant will be allocated, suddenly a sponsor will appear. The laboratories are reminiscent of archaeological sites, where instead of modern equipment there is technology from the 80s. The modern world works on 3D printers, and our scientists sometimes work on 3D fantasies.
When scientists leave, we lose not only people, but also ideas, breakthroughs and money. Talented mathematicians, biologists, physicists who could create technologies for Ukraine are now working for other countries. The irony of fate: what we cannot finance at home, we then buy abroad for crazy money. Scientists don’t just run away—they shout about the problem with their departure. Ukraine can become a leader in many fields, but for this it is necessary to stop treating science as a waste. It’s not an expense, it’s an investment. Otherwise, all our smartest minds will be working for other people’s economies, and we will be left with empty laboratories and big questions for ourselves.
In recent years, we have lost not just personnel, but a generation of intellectuals. Mid-level scientists, who could become the foundation for the development of science, went either to the private sector or abroad. No one is surprised when they work as sellers of goods in the markets. Young people also do not delay: why save a sinking ship if there is a boat with an engine nearby? Why study and go into science, receiving meager salaries, when there are many ways to make big money in business or cryptocurrency? And as a result, we have a looted, dilapidated system that looks more like a museum exhibit than an effective tool for the country’s development.
Another important factor should be added to this. When the scientific space turns into a market where you can “protect” a thesis written by so-called “literary slaves” for money, it becomes absurd to talk about the development of science. Pseudo-scientists from among the “powers of this world” who buy themselves scientific degrees not only discredit the academic community, but also destroy the very essence of scientific activity – the search for truth. In a system where plagiarism flourishes and pseudo-scientists occupy key positions, real researchers remain in the shadows, deprived of opportunities and support.
Such a situation calls into question the very idea of the existence of science as an engine of progress. How can we talk about innovation or global competitiveness if the Ukrainian academic system allows the legalization of pseudoscience? Pseudoscientists are not just a problem, they are a brake that drags the entire scientific community of the country to the bottom.
Scientific victories of Ukrainian scientists
But despite all the difficulties, it is our scientists who make really serious breakthroughs, changing the world in various spheres of life. Ukrainian science is like a phoenix that stubbornly tries to rise from the ashes, even when it is set on fire every day. Talented scientists still exist, and they can create real miracles.
The late Olga Brovarets, a researcher at the Department of Molecular and Quantum Biophysics at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, gave the world hope for finding ways to treat cancer and many other diseases caused by mutations. She calculated the regularity with which pairs of chromosomes with mutations are incorporated into human DNA, resulting in dangerous and deadly diseases such as cancer.
During the 2019 coronavirus pandemic, it was Ukrainian scientists who developed their own test system for diagnosing the virus. At the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, even at the beginning of the quarantine, a thousand tests were produced with their own money and sent to the regions.
Nana Voytenko, professor, doctor of biological sciences and neurobiologist, made a significant contribution to the study of the mechanisms of chronic pain. Thanks to her research, an experimental treatment was developed in the laboratory, targeting only the cells that cause pain syndromes. At the institute where the scientist works, dialysis of a nerve cell was performed for the first time, which made it possible to measure transmembrane currents (currents that pass through the cell membrane in nerves and generate signals – Ed.).
Maryna Vyazovska, mathematician, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, doctor of natural sciences in 2022 received one of the most prestigious awards in the world of mathematics – the Fields Medal for his solution to the problem of packing balls in 8-dimensional space, which others could not cope with until now. Her achievement is of great importance in improving error correction in mobile phones, the Internet and space exploration.
Our scientists work on the development of artificial intelligence algorithms and cyber defense systems used by the world’s largest companies. Individual solutions have become key in combating cyberattacks during wartime.
Who would have thought that in a country where there is not always light, they could still make components for space vehicles? Ukrainian engineers and physicists participated in the creation of parts for SpaceX and other global space projects.
It was in Ukraine that unique energy storage technologies were developed, which allow more efficient use of “green” energy. This is impressive, especially considering that at home these developments often remain unfunded.
But for some reason, the state itself not only does not notice bright heads, but also makes it impossible for them to work in their native country, simply ignoring their needs. The closure of research institutes in Ukraine has become a tragic norm. One of the most striking examples is the closure of the Institute for the Study of Rare Earth Materials. It was once a place where unique alloys for aviation, medicine and electronics were developed. Now his laboratories are empty, and scientists work as cashiers or simply went abroad. The state is losing its potential, which could bring in billions. We could be a world leader in this field instead of importing expensive technology. The irony of fate is that these technologies are often based on the achievements of our former scientists who now work for other countries.
Ukrainian science now is like that old tram: rusty, creaky, but stubbornly rolling forward, even though a hand was waved at it a long time ago. She survives in spite of, not thanks to, and that is the ultimate tragedy. Our scientists are some of the most talented in the world, but they either work in conditions where they have to beg for test tubes from friends, or they go to places where their minds are considered an asset, not a burden.
We are now standing on the brink of a catastrophe that we ourselves have created. Because science is not about demanding professors, but about the economy, security and the future of the country. There will be no science – there will be no progress. There will be no progress – we will remain on the sidelines of history, catching up with the world with posters: “Sorry, we are a little behind.” Ukraine still has a chance to become a country that not only survives, but also creates, as before. But this requires a change of approach: from survival for scientists to their support and investment. If this does not happen, we will be left with only an empty shell of science and the understanding that intelligence has survived, but somewhere abroad, where our scientists are highly valued.
