The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has approved the Roadmap for Ukraine’s Integration into the European Research Area (ERA) for the period through 2027. The relevant document was adopted by MES Order No. 1732 dated 31 December 2025.

Why this is needed

Ukraine’s integration into the ERA has been identified as one of the key strategic directions for implementing the Association Agreement and advancing European integration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. In particular, Article 375 of the Association Agreement provides for Ukraine’s involvement in the ERA through the gradual harmonization of the national research and innovation system with European policies and practices.

The document is also grounded in the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Scientific and Scientific and Technical Activities” (notably regarding ensuring the integration of domestic science into the ERA while preserving national priorities).

How the Roadmap was prepared

The Roadmap was developed based on proposals from a working group established by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The group included 40 representatives from public authorities, the Scientific Committee of the National Council of Ukraine for the Development of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, and the National and branch academies of sciences of Ukraine.

During the preparation process, discussions were held on the ERA’s structural policies and actions under the ERA Policy Agenda for 2025–2027, as well as on the expected outcomes in line with the Council of the EU Recommendations of 24 June 2025. In December 2025, a TAIEX expert mission took place, during which European experts shared experience in implementing a range of ERA policies (including research careers, knowledge valorisation, citizen engagement, synergies between research and innovation and higher education, the global approach to R&I, widening access to excellence, and research security).

What has been approved

The Roadmap covers key areas of science and innovation development, in particular:

• open science and research data management;
  
• development and sustainability of research infrastructures;
  
• support for research careers and researcher mobility;
  
• reform of research assessment in line with European approaches;
  
• practical use of knowledge and strengthening science–business interaction;
  
• integration of science and higher education, including through the development of science parks and special regimes for innovation activity;
  
• international scientific and technical cooperation, science diplomacy, and Ukraine’s participation in EU programmes.
  

The Roadmap is a strategic instrument intended to ensure a systematic and consistent approach to further harmonizing Ukraine’s national research and innovation ecosystem with the ERA and to consolidate the efforts of public authorities, research institutions, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders.

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