Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University is at the forefront of European science!

On April 15, Dmytro Pavlenko and Larisa Tumarchenko, representatives of the National Contact Point “Research Infrastructures” established at Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University, took part in the work of a round table on intensifying Ukraine’s participation in the “Horizon Europe” program, held in the city of Kyiv.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Denis Kurbatov opened the event, who emphasized the strategic importance of participation in the program: it is planned to make the submission of applications mandatory for all state institutions of higher education and to include it in the key performance indicators (KPI). He also emphasized the need for coordinated interaction between the NCP, program committees, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Horizon Europe Office.

Among the key issues discussed: the creation of effective project centers at universities as a tool to support scientists in the process of preparing high-quality and competitive applications.

The event was also attended by the executive director of the National Research Fund of Ukraine Olha Polotska and representative of the operations department of the Representation of the European Union in Ukraine Yehor Pyvovarov, who noted Ukraine’s leadership position among the associated countries of the program.

At the round table, an analytical report on the results of the NCP and the Coordination Center was presented, which was presented by Ihor Taranov, the head of the Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine and the coordinator of the NCP network. It is especially gratifying that the activities of the Research Infrastructures NCP received a positive assessment, despite the complexity of the direction, which is considered one of the most demanding within the Horizon Europe program.

The NCP team also participated in a panel discussion on strengthening synergy between all stakeholders — NCP, program committees, the Ministry and the Coordination Center. During the discussion, the participants shared their experiences, outlined current challenges and suggested ways to improve the effectiveness of program implementation in Ukraine.

Informal communication became an important part of the event. In a relaxed atmosphere, representatives of the NCP and the Horizon Europe Office had the opportunity to exchange ideas, establish new partnerships and discuss ways of further cooperation. In particular, during a conversation with the representative of Ukraine in the program committee for the direction of “Research infrastructures”, Ms. Maryna Horokhovatska, the participants learned about the possibilities of influencing the formation of future competitions of the program and submitting their own initiatives.

Participation in the Horizon Europe program is not only access to funding, but also the opportunity to become a full participant in the European research space.

Scientists are invited to contact the NCP “Research Infrastructures” at Zaporizhzhya Polytechnic University for advice and support in the preparation of project applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfh0WIBTJWlZ2vZAtDwATopYs8ZgRh69Lnodl58XJvKVhFTw/viewform