Horizon Europe Offices in Ukraine and Moldova held joint Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures 2026 calls information webinar
On May 6, an information webinar dedicated to Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures 2026 calls took place. The joint event was organised by Horizon Europe Office in Moldova, National Agency for Research and Development (NARD), and Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU), with the support of the European Commission. The event brought together representatives of universities, research institutions, SMEs, start-ups, and public authorities from Moldova and Ukraine interested in the Horizon Europe 2026 calls under the Research Infrastructures Work Programme.
The event was opened with welcoming speeches by the heads of the Moldovan and Ukrainian Offices, Vitalie Moraru and Igor Taranov, who emphasised the importance of close cooperation both between the Offices and between the research and innovation communities of two countries. In particular, the Head of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, Igor Taranov, highlighted the importance of the research infrastructures forming the backbone of modern science. They provide the necessary resources and services that allow researchers to stay competitive, foster innovation, and address the global challenges of our time.
“For our country’s participation in these calls is not just about funding; it is about integration. It is about connecting our scientists to the broader European Research Area and ensuring that our research institutions, universities, and SMEs have a seat at the table in developing the next generation of scientific tools and digital solutions”, – he emphasised.
The participants of the event – over 70 people – received comprehensive information on funding opportunities for Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures. Thus, Nadiia Naumova, leading officer of HEOinUA, whose responsibilities include advising on this area, presented Ukrainian participation in Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures calls at a glance.
For her part, Mihaela Constantin, policy officer, Directorate-general for research and innovation, European Commission, spoke about Research Infrastructure policy aimed at supporting Excellent Science and addressing global challenges. In her presentation, the EC representative provided information on a specific call for Ukraine: Research infrastructures as accelerators of the integration of Ukraine in the European Research Area (HORIZON-INFRA-2026-DEV-01-05). She also presented comparative statistics on Open Science for Ukraine and Moldova.
In addition, Nicu Vrabie, NCP for Research Infrastructures Moldova, gave a presentation on Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures 2026 calls, which included eligibility and selection criteria, application procedures, deadlines, budgeting and other details.
Separate panel featured presentations by grant recipients from both sides on successful implementation of projects under Research Infrastructures. Sofiia Zherebchuk, Senior Researcher, National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ukraine, presented the POLARIN (Polar Research Infrastructure Network) project. Meanwhile, Olga Popcova, a representative of the Research and Educational Networking Association of Moldova (RENAM), spoke about RENAM’s involvement in the development of research infrastructures in Moldova.
Finally, Q&A session was held with all the speakers. The event was moderated by Irina Nicorici, Coordinator, Pillar 1, Horizon Europe Office, Moldova. The information webinar served as an important platform for exchanging knowledge and experience, establishing contacts and defining the next steps for further close cooperation between stakeholders from both countries within the framework of the Horizon Europe Programme.
