Ukrainian University in the middle of the European initiative

Cancer – is one of the most serious threats to humanity: in Europe alone, a quarter of all cases in the world are diagnosed every year. The answer to this challenge was the large-scale project UNCAN-CONNECT: Decentralized Collaborative Network for Advancing Cancer Research and Innovation, financed by the EU within the Horizon Europe Programme. Its aim is to establish UNCAN.eu – a decentralised cooperation network for cancer research that will bring together data, technology and expertise from across Europe.

Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University (IFNMU) joined the consortium, which includes 53 educational, scientific and clinical institutions from 19 countries. The Ukrainian team is involved in the development of technical and ethical standards for the new European infrastructure, which covers six key areas – from childhood cancers to lung, ovarian and prostate cancer.

From participating in the kick-off meeting to working together on solutions

At the initial meeting of the consortium held in October 2025, representatives of IFNMU joined the discussions of work packages, presentations of technical solutions and panel discussions on issues of cancer research and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine.

For IFNMU, this is the first step towards the systematic integration of Ukrainian researchers into the European Research Area. Participation in the project gives the university the opportunity to cooperate directly with the leading scientific infrastructures of the EU and participate in the formation of standards that will determine the future of digital medicine in oncology. This was an important opportunity to outline its potential in the field of scientific research at the intersection of medicine and digital technologies.

New opportunities for the university and the country

For Ukraine, participation in UNCAN-CONNECT opens the way to inclusion in the European ecosystem of cancer research. The project allows Ukrainian specialists:

• to join the development of common standards for data storage, analysis and exchange;
• to access leading EU scientific infrastructures such as BBMRI, EOSC4Cancer, CanSERV, EUCAIM;
• to implement modern approaches to digital medicine and big data analytics in oncology;
• to form new educational and research programs for the training of specialists of the future.

From a practical point of view, the participation of IFNMU means the opportunity to be among the first Ukrainian institutions that integrate into the European network of cancer research. The project opens access to European approaches to cancer research, interoperability standards and state-of-the-art solutions for analytics and data visualisation in cancer research. This creates the basis for joint clinical research, the development of biomedical technologies and the involvement of young scientists in international cooperation.

For IFNMU, participation in UNCAN-CONNECT – is not only an international partnership, but also a strategic investment in the future of the university and Ukrainian science. This enables the university to improve the quality of educational programmes, develop personnel potential in the field of scientific research, expand cooperation with clinical partners and involve young researchers in international initiatives.

Challenges and ways to overcome them

Despite the war, the university was able to join an international consortium, establish communication with partners and start real cooperation. This experience demonstrates that Ukrainian research institutions are able to be full-fledged and reliable partners in major European initiatives, contributing to the creation of a common knowledge base for the future treatment of cancer.

Participation in the UNCAN-CONNECT Project became for IFNMU not only an opportunity, but also a challenge that required adaptation to European standards of work and coordination within a large international consortium. Preparations for the integration of local resources, coordination of technical and ethical approaches required new solutions and clear team interaction from the university.

However, it was those challenges that had become a point of development. In the process of work, IFNMU strengthened internal expertise, formed a professional team for the implementation of the project and laid the foundation for long-term participation in joint European initiatives.

Advice to other Ukrainian institutions

The experience of IFNMU demonstrates that participation in large scientific consortia does not require extraordinary resources, it requires a willingness to learn, communicate and take responsibility. It is important to clearly understand what value the organisation can bring to the project, and not be afraid to initiate partnerships. It is such concrete steps that build trust and open the way to long-term cooperation.

“The Horizon Europe Programme is not only about financing, it is about inclusion in the European scientific ecosystem, – the IFNMU team members noted. – Participation in the UNCAN-CONNECT Project makes it possible to work alongside leading European partners and at the same time represent Ukraine as a reliable and competent participant in joint research”.

Outlook into the future

IFNMU’s participation in the UNCAN-CONNECT is an example of how a Ukrainian scientific institution integrates into the European research community not at the level of formal presence, but through real joint work. Their experience proves that even in difficult conditions, Ukrainian universities are able not only to meet European requirements, but also to enrich the common scientific ecosystem with their approaches, ideas and professionalism.