The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) has launched a travel and collaboration grant scheme to support the integration of Ukrainian higher education and research institutions into the European Research Area (ERA) and to strengthen their participation in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe.

The scheme aims to foster international research partnerships and long-term Estonian-Ukrainian research cooperation, support the preparation of Horizon Europe proposals, and strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian higher education and research institutions to participate in Horizon Europe projects and consortia.

What can the grant be used for?

The grant may be used for:

• participation in Horizon Europe matchmaking events held on-site in Horizon Europe Member States and Associated Countries;
• short-term visits to Estonia to prepare a joint Horizon Europe proposal and/or participate in an international scientific event organised in Estonia.

Short-term visits to Estonia must involve at least one Estonian host organisation and be based on a pre-agreed work plan or agenda. An invitation letter from the Estonian host organisation is required.

Who can apply?

Applications may be submitted by higher education institutions and research organisations that are registered and operating in Ukraine, regardless of their legal status or ownership structure.

Eligible individual participants are: 

• Ukrainian researchers; and
• staff involved in Horizon Europe proposal preparation and project implementation at Ukrainian institutions of higher education and research institutions.For both categories to be eligible for participation in the grant scheme, individual participant shall be employed in the Ukrainian institution that submitted application, and be either:
• Ukrainian citizen, who is permanently residing in Ukraine; or
• stateless person, or national of third countries other than Ukraine, who is in accordance with the law permanently residing in Ukraine.

The applicant and beneficiary of the grant is the Ukrainian institution submitting the application. For administrative reasons, ETAG may reimburse approved eligible costs directly to the individual participant named in the application.

Grant amount and eligible costs

The maximum grant amount is EUR 1,500 per participant.

The grant is provided as reimbursement of actual eligible costs incurred and documented by the beneficiary.

Eligible costs include:

• economy-class airfare;
• train and bus tickets;
• local transportation;
• accommodation;
• visa costs, where applicable;
• travel insurance;
• event or conference participation fees;
• daily subsistence allowance of up to EUR 75 per eligible day.

Costs that have already been reimbursed or financed from other sources are not eligible for support.

How to apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the end of the eligibility period or until the available budget has been exhausted.

Applications must be submitted in English using the official Application Form and sent electronically to etag@etag.ee.

The application must be electronically signed by the head of the applicant institution or another authorised representative using a qualified electronic signature (QES) recognised in the applicant’s country.

The grant may only be used for activities taking place before 15 October 2027.

Evaluation and funding decisions

Applications will be assessed based on:

• the scientific relevance and expected impact of the proposed activity;
• the applicant’s motivation;
• the quality and feasibility of the planned activities;
• the contribution of the activity to the integration of Ukrainian researchers and institutions into the European Research Area and Horizon Europe.

Applicants will be informed of the funding decision within 30 calendar days of submission.

As a general rule, up to five grants may be awarded for participation in the same event or visit, and no more than one grant may be awarded to the same institution for the same activity. Each participant may receive support once for participation in a Horizon Europe matchmaking event and once for a short-term visit to Estonia. In duly justified cases and subject to budget availability, ETAG may make exceptions to these limits.

Application documents

• Terms and Conditions of the Grant Scheme
• Application Form
• Travel Claim Form
• Feedback Form

Official announcement on the ETAG website: ETAG launches a Travel and Collaboration Grant Scheme to Support Ukraine’s integration into the ERA  – ETAG

The grant scheme is implemented under the terms and conditions approved by the Management Board of the Estonian Research Council.

The scheme is funded through the project “Estonian Support for Ukraine’s Integration into the European Research Area (ESTERA-UA)”, financed by ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development.