Third Anniversary of the War in Ukraine: RCL Continues to Contribute to the Preservation of Ukrainian Science
On February 24, we mark the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, initiated by Russia. Over these years of conflict, Ukraine has faced immense challenges, particularly in the fields of education and science – many schools, universities, and research institutes have been destroyed or damaged, and numerous scientists have been forced to halt or relocate their research. In response to the needs of the Ukrainian academic community, the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL) continues to implement targeted support measures aimed at assisting Ukrainian scientists, integrating them into Lithuanian scientific institutions, and strengthening international cooperation. Currently, RCL is running three such programs.
Contribution to the Employment of Ukrainian Scientists in Lithuania
From 2022 to 2024, 202 applications were funded for the employment of Ukrainian scientists in various Lithuanian universities, research centers, and institutes, where they conducted high-level national or international research. Since the start of the war, RCL has allocated nearly 3 million euros for the employment of Ukrainian scientists.
The "Support for the Employment of Ukrainian Researchers" measure is designed to provide Ukrainian researchers with opportunities to continue their scientific activities in Lithuania by employing them in the country’s research and higher education institutions. RCL covers their salaries and associated social insurance costs. This initiative helps Ukrainian scientists contribute to research and innovation in Lithuania. For more information about the measure, click here.
Strengthening Cooperation with Ukraine
RCL has not only expanded existing cooperation measures but has also significantly increased their budgets. For the 2024–2025 period, the Lithuania-Ukraine program has been allocated 1.5 million euros, with 15 program projects that provide opportunities for employing Ukrainian researchers and financing their participation in scientific events in Lithuania.
The Lithuania–Ukraine Program is dedicated to scientific and technological cooperation, supporting bilateral research projects conducted between Lithuania and Ukraine. Calls for proposals are announced every two years, and the program is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport of Lithuania and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The Lithuanian Research Council (RCL) is responsible for the implementation of the program.
The program funds various activities, including research visits, seminars, joint publication of scientific articles, and other research projects of international significance. More information about the program is available here.
A call for the Lithuania-Ukraine program is planned for March 10, 2025, with a 1.5 million euro budget allocated for 2026-2027.
International Projects to Strengthen Ukraine’s Education and Science System
In support of scientific collaboration with Ukraine, RCL joined the IMPRESS-U initiative of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2023. From 2024, seven research projects will be funded, with a total of 689,000 euros allocated.
The IMPRESS-U program is an international initiative aimed at building a resilient education and science system in Ukraine and promoting advanced scientific and engineering research and innovations in these fields. The program supports the integration of Ukrainian scientists into the global research community through collaboration with scientists from other countries. It was initiated by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Ukrainian National Research Fund, with participation from the science councils of Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, as well as other organizations.
For more information about the program, click here.
RCL will continue to support Ukraine by strengthening cooperation and scientific partnerships.
Full call schedule is available here.
Last updated: 24-02-2025
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