Establishing effective cooperation between the NCP network and Ukrainian representatives on Programme Committees: Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine held a roundtable for Horizon Europe experts

On May 28, Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, held a roundtable: Establishing effective cooperation between the NCP network and Ukrainian representatives responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This was the first joint meeting with the updated membership of the network of National Contact Points following their nomination by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in April 2026.

The event brought together representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine, the EIT Community Hub in Ukraine, the network of National Contact Points and Programme Committees, and served as an important occasion for coordinating the activities of Horizon Europe experts to establish effective cooperation.

The round table was opened by Olga Polotska, Executive Director of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a regular and open dialogue with representatives of the NCPs and Programme Committees, who act as a link between European institutions and Ukrainian researchers, national priorities and European strategic goals.

“Coordinating their activities, exchanging experience, and harmonising approaches to informing and advising applicants is the key to improving the quality of project proposals and increasing the success rate of Ukrainian participants,” – emphasised the Head of the Fund.

Olga Polotska also highlighted the work of the NFDU’s department Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine as a key National Contact Point that provides ongoing support and advice to Ukrainian researchers and innovators exploring the Programme’s opportunities. She cited statistics on Ukraine’s participation in Horizon Europe before and after the Office began operations, which clearly reflect the growth of Ukraine’s presence in the European framework programme.

Participants were also welcomed by Hryhoriy Mozolevych, Director General of the Directorate for Science Development at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and Yehor Pyvovarov, Expert on Science and Innovation Policy at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, who is a regular participant in all events organised by the Office and supports it not only in words but also through concrete actions.

The first working session consisted of presentations by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine, the EIT Community Hub in Ukraine, Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, and GUARD LLC. Olena Makarenko, Head of the expert group on strategy and integration into the European Research Area at the Ministry of Education and Science’s Directorate for Science Development, reported on tools for monitoring the effectiveness of the National Contact Points and coordinating the participation of Ukrainian representatives in Programme Committee meetings.

Serhiy Zharinov, Head of the Department for the Support and Development of Electronic Scientific and Information Systems at the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine, provided a step-by-step guide on how to submit reporting data via the URIS system to complete key performance indicators. Ihor Markevych, Head of the EIT Community Hub in Ukraine, provided an update on Ukraine’s participation in the programmes of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and new areas of cooperation.

For their part, specialists of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, presented in their reports the current approaches and strategic priorities of the European Research Area in the fields of science, innovation and international cooperation within the Horizon Europe Programme. In particular, Liudmyla Lisova spoke about the involvement of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Horizon Europe projects; Olena Kharina highlighted information on how the EU is shaping the rules for the use of AI in science – the ERA Living Guidelines; and Tayisiya Symochko presented the evaluation trends and strategic priorities of the Programme, which Ukrainian R&D organisations should focus on.

In addition, Mykhailo Hrebeniuk, Director of GUARD – Global promotion of UA R&D: Liaison Office in Brussels for UA R&D Community, introduced the services provided by the liaison officer, as well as the issues currently on the agenda in Brussels, including: the preparation of the new Framework Programme and the European Competitiveness Fund, preparations for the adoption of the ERA Act, support for Ukrainian participants, and others.

The second part of the event featured a lively panel discussion, during which the National Contact Points and representatives of the Programme Committees discussed a range of pressing challenges and tasks facing the NCPs. In particular, they addressed specific aspects of reporting to the Ministry of Education and Science via the URIS system. Among other things, participants considered the possibility of establishing project offices in every higher education institution to enhance their grant-making activities, the experience of NCPs in engaging with potential applicants, and specific aspects of advising Ukrainian applicants based on their requests and needs.

The event served as a platform for lively discussion, the exchange of practical tools, and the development of joint approaches to ensure the effective work of all parties, thereby creating the conditions in which the immense potential of Ukrainian researchers and innovators can be fully realised.