As the war with Russia carries on, the need to build a robust scientific enterprise in Ukraine becomes ever more critical. The country’s rebuilding and restoration efforts will require a pipeline of talent and expertise for basic research and scientific discovery, innovation, and investment across many sectors. Since February 2022, working closely with our international partners, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has raised over $13 million to support Ukraine’s science and innovation community, leveraging tens of millions more from partner funding.
As a new initiative, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has established a Science and Innovation Fund for Ukraine to provide near-term support to the Ukrainian research community and build the framework for a long-term innovation ecosystem in Ukraine based on science and commercialization. A robust science and innovation system will contribute to Ukraine’s national security development; play a significant role in its rebuilding and economic restoration efforts; provide a pipeline of talent and expertise for basic research and scientific discovery, innovation, and investment across priority sectors; establish robust links to the U.S. and global science and technology community; and connect science and innovation to the country’s broader economic and societal impact.
The Fund will award merit-based grants to individuals and organizations for a range of activities, including:

• Workshops to address scientific issues critical for Ukraine’s long-term recovery;
• Bilateral and multilateral initiatives to advance the practice of science policy;
• Institutes on priority science and technology topics that contribute to Ukraine’s future;
• Fellowships and research grants to support early and mid-career scientific exchanges;
• Training on commercializing research; and
• Glue funds to support travel and logistics that leverage existing research funds to increase the participation of Ukrainian researchers.

The Fund is managed by a Secretariat, based at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, that will engage partners in Ukraine, raise additional funds, manage the proposal review process, distribute and monitor Fund expenditures, and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Fund. The Secretariat will appoint an oversight Board of international experts in science, science policy and innovation to set the strategic vision and priorities for the Fund, serve as the approval body for all recommended distributions, provide guidance for integrating the work of the Fund into the broader reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, and identify additional funding sources that can be leveraged for maximum impact.