Strengthening scientific collaboration with Ukraine

The SNSF greatly appreciated the quality of the exchanges and was impressed by the resolve of its counterparts in Ukraine. Despite the current challenges, they remain focused on the future with a long-term vision. These exchanges provided valuable opportunities for genuine sharing of best practices across various areas, from which the SNSF gained significant insights.

Close ties since the start of the Russian Invasion

The SNSF was one of the first research agencies to allocate additional resources to support the scientific community in Ukraine. In June 2022, the SNSF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NRFU to strengthen bilateral cooperation. This MoU led to the launch of a joint call for projects in 2023, making the SNSF the first NRFU partner to implement such a programme.

Olga Polotska, Executive Director of the NRFU, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “Our visit to the SNSF truly inspired the NRFU team for several reasons. First and foremost, we were impressed by the professionalism and the innovative solutions developed to address the most complex challenges the SNSF has faced over its years of operating.” She also commended the institutional trust enjoyed by the SNSF at the national level. “Trust is the SNSF’s core value and greatest asset. Together with flexibility and inclusivity, it makes the SNSF a reliable and effective partner in international cooperation.”

The NRFU was founded in 2018 and launched its first call for projects in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the ongoing war and severe constraints, it continues to operate and initiate new calls with limited resources.

All of the projects in the joint call are underway. The NRFU and the SNSF look forward to the results of the 20 projects involving over 80 researchers in Ukraine.

Closer scientific collaboration

The delegation, comprising six members including Executive Director Olga Polotska and the new Head of the NRFU, Oksana Kis, met with around thirty partners in Switzerland. These included SNSF Co-Director Katrin Milzow, Ukrainian Ambassador Iryna Venediktova, and the Federal Council’s Delegate for Ukraine, Ambassador Jacques Gerber.

In addition to the working sessions, the delegation visited the Ukrainian Embassy in Bern and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, where the ‘Light for Ukraine’ project was presented. Partially funded by the SNSF with some 1 million Swiss francs, the project aims to construct a beamline at the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre (SOLARIS) in Poland to support Ukrainian photon research. Finally, a round table was organised at the SNSF to bring together the various stakeholders supporting Ukraine. As resources become increasingly limited, innovative solutions are needed to sustain and develop the potential of the Ukrainian research ecosystem.

This visit forms part of a wider effort to fully integrate Ukraine into the European research area and strengthen links between the SNSF and the NRFU.