The MSCA4Ukraine program, funded by the European Union, supports researchers displaced from Ukraine due to the ongoing crisis. It provides opportunities for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to continue their work at host institutions within EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries. The program aims to prevent brain drain and facilitate the reintegration of researchers into Ukrainian institutions when it is safe to do so.

Funding and Duration

The MSCA4Ukraine program has a total budget of EUR 25 million. This funding supports guest stays for researchers at scientific or non-scientific institutions.

The program offers fellowships with durations ranging from 6 to 24 months. These fellowships are designed to provide stability and support for researchers to continue their work.

The scholarship rates are aligned with the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) funding lines, specifically "Doctoral Networks" and "Postdoctoral Fellowships." A cost of living correction coefficient is applied to ensure fair purchasing power across different host countries.

Additional funding is provided to cover institutional costs, including expenses for research, training, networking, and administrative overhead.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for MSCA4Ukraine, candidates must meet specific criteria related to their nationality, residency, and academic status.

• Must be a Ukrainian national, a stateless person, or a national of a third country whose main residence was in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
• Must have fled Ukraine on or after February 24, 2022.
• Must be a postdoc (completed PhD by the fellowship start date) or a PhD student (enrolled in a doctoral program in Ukraine on or after February 24, 2022).
• Must possess the necessary language skills to conduct research at the host institution, as confirmed by the host institution.
• Must not have received prior funding from MSCA4Ukraine.

Eligible host institutions include scientific and non-scientific organizations in EU member states or Horizon Europe-associated countries. Host institutions in Ukraine can host researchers for a maximum of one-third of the fellowship period under a secondment agreement.

Application Process

Applications to the MSCA4Ukraine program must be submitted by the intended host institution on behalf of the researcher. The application process is conducted online through the Humboldt Foundation's application portal.

The application portal will be open from August 5 to September 5, 2024, at 23:59 CEST. It is crucial to adhere to this deadline.

The first scholarships are expected to be awarded from March 2025, with fellowships starting from April 2025. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Detailed information, templates, and FAQs are available on the SAR Europe website and in the Terms of Reference for Applicants.

Required Documents

Several documents are required for a complete application. These documents must be uploaded to the online application portal.

Required documents include: a self-disclosure of eligibility (including doctoral certificate or proof of doctoral program enrollment), a signed statement from the host institution, a concise presentation of the scientific project (max. 6 pages), a complete description of the research project (max. 11 pages), an ethics self-assessment, and a confidential statement from the scientific mentor.

Optional documents include a publication list of the candidate. The identity document of the candidate and the statement of the scientific mentor must be uploaded directly by the candidate and mentor in a protected area.

All documents must be submitted in English. Translations are required for documents not originally in English.

Research Areas

The MSCA4Ukraine program supports research across all disciplines. This allows researchers from various fields to apply.

The program encourages applications that align with the general goals and principles of MSCA, including scientific excellence, skills development, cross-sectoral mobility, equal opportunities, and open science.

Here are some potential research areas relevant to the program:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Material Science
• Life Science
• Microbiology
• Social Sciences
• Engineering

Contact Information

For individual advice, researchers and host institutions can contact the European Scholars at Risk network at Maynooth University in Ireland via email: MSCA4Ukraine[at]mu.ie.

For specific questions, contact the Humboldt Foundation program advisors via email: MSCA4Ukraine[at]avh.de. Please note that telephone advice is not available.

When contacting the program advisors, please write your emails in English to ensure clear communication.