The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine announces a major competition for fundamental scientific research and applied scientific research projects carried out by employees of higher education institutions and scientific institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Science who are involved in comprehensive interdepartmental research (hereinafter referred to as the competition). The competition was announced by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 1281 of September 24, 2025.

Key innovations of the competition:

• the theme of the competition is clearly regulated by the directions of the WINWIN 2030 innovation strategy (Ukraine's Global Innovation Strategy) and is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and technological sovereignty.
• an additional UAH 100 million to support projects of frontline and border higher education institutions/academic institutions;
• an increase in the maximum project cost to UAH 4.5 million;
• the possibility of involving scientists from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the project team;
• maximum adaptation of the competition format to the EU's Horizon Europe Framework Program;
• selection of winners separately for each thematic area;
• the possibility of planning capital expenditures, materials, and reagents in the amount of up to 25% of the project volume;
• prohibition of cooperation with the aggressor, use of predatory practices, and violations of academic integrity by the authors of applications and their higher education institutions.

Application submission: September 25 – October 27, 2025 (until 13:00) only through the URIS system (all details — follow the link).

The results of the competition will be announced by the end of December 2025.

Project implementation will begin in January 2026.

Details and applications are available on the MES website: http://bit.ly/3KnBcSl.

25.09.2025