Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine representative took part in the RIFF Study Visit in Brno
In April 2026, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, hosted Ukrainian research and policy makers for the RIFF Study Visits. Intensive 5-day programme focused on the development and management of research infrastructures, and gathered together representatives of leading Ukrainian institutions for an intensive week of exchange and learning focused on research infrastructures (RIs). The representative of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, was among the participants of the meeting.
In general RIFF Study Visits were organised to support the development of a research infrastructure community in Ukraine through capacity building and training. The aim of the April programme was to provide the participants with first-hand insight into how leading European Union RIs are organised, governed, financed, and strategically developed.
Ukrainian participants learned the experience of Masaryk University in strategic research development and institutional management, and its research infrastructures, visited CzechGlobe, the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and CEITEC Nano. They also visited the Technology Centre Prague and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic where they could explore the broader national and EU policy perspective on development of research infrastructures.
In addition, one of the programme days was dedicated to a visit to ELI ERIC (the Extreme Light Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium), one of Europe’s flagship RIs and a globally recognised centre of excellence in laser science and advanced technologies.
Through an intensive programme, participants gained practical knowledge on the important role of RIs not only in the natural and technical sciences but also in social sciences and humanities. Moreover, valuable contacts, and inspiration that can contribute to the future design, construction, and operation of research infrastructures in Ukraine.
