According to agreement, signed in Kyiv on 20 March with the European Commission, Ukraine becomes an “associated country” to Horizon 2020, the European Union's €80 billion, 7-year research program and will now be able to host European Research Council (ERC) grants, apply for financial support to innovative SMEs, benefit from support for scientific excellence and other research policies and participate in the governance structures of the programme. The commission has given Ukraine a sweet deal: It receives a 95% rebate on its association fee and a 1-year deferment to pay the first year's installment.
In Horizon 2020 predecessor, FP7, Ukraine was one of the top ten most performing third countries, with a total number of 274 successful projects in a total of 207 retained proposals. Ukraine-based researchers did receive about €24 million of E.U. research money under the previous program, between 2007 and 2013. The top five priority areas with retained participation from Ukraine have been environment (including Climate Change); transport (including aeronautics); nano-sciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies; food, agriculture and fisheries, bio-technologies; and space.
In Horizon 2020 predecessor, FP7, Ukraine was one of the top ten most performing third countries, with a total number of 274 successful projects in a total of 207 retained proposals. Ukraine-based researchers did receive about €24 million of E.U. research money under the previous program, between 2007 and 2013. The top five priority areas with retained participation from Ukraine have been environment (including Climate Change); transport (including aeronautics); nano-sciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies; food, agriculture and fisheries, bio-technologies; and space.
