Ministry of Education and Science refines the basic research funding mechanism based on state certification results

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine continues to implement a new model of basic research funding, directing state support where it is needed most – to high-performing research teams, modern research infrastructure and high-quality scientific research.

To make the mechanism even more transparent and effective, the Ministry is refining the rules governing the use of basic research funding.

The key changes include:

• the supplement awarded on the basis of state certification results will continue to be paid to researchers and academic staff employed at their primary place of work. At the same time, it will be reclassified as a monetary award for research activity. Its amount will no longer depend on hours actually worked, and it will not be included in the calculation of average earnings in cases envisaged by law;
• the permitted uses of funding for the development of research institutions and higher education institutions have been specified in greater detail, covering everything from the purchase of materials and maintenance of research equipment to support for staff who facilitate research activities;
• research institutions and higher education institutions classified in Groups A and B will receive clearly defined funding limits for new investigator-initiated research projects;
• the procedure for paying the supplement in the event of the reorganisation or liquidation of structural units has been clarified to ensure that staff do not lose support as a result of organisational changes;
• unspent funds may be redirected to the development of material and technical infrastructure;
• the procedure for awarding the supplement to newly appointed researchers and academic staff has been established.

It should be recalled that in 2026, the highest-performing research institutions and higher education institutions have already received more than UAH 3 billion in basic research funding. These funds are being used to develop research infrastructure, support research teams and strengthen Ukraine’s scientific capacity.