The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to allocate UAH 3.28 billion in additional funding to scientific institutions and higher education establishments based on the results of state evaluation. For the first time, the funds will be distributed using a formula-based mechanism, depending on the evaluation group, the size of the institution, and the effectiveness of its activities.

Basic funding based on the state evaluation will become a permanent component of government support for science. It can be used to increase salaries for scientific staff, upgrade scientific infrastructure, develop institutions, and support initiative-driven research projects.

How Science Was Funded Previously

In previous years, Ukraine’s science funding system relied on basic support mechanisms for scientific institutions. Funding volumes were determined mainly by the number of positions and facility space and rarely accounted for differences in research efficiency, institution scale, or development potential.

Under this system, the ability to plan long-term, upgrade infrastructure, and launch new research projects largely depended on additional funding sources, including competitive programs and grants.

Why the Role of State Evaluation Was Updated

To strengthen the link between research results and government support, the state has revised its approach to the use of state evaluation results. From now on, these results serve as the basis for decisions regarding the amount and structure of basic funding.

The updated approach allows for:

• Systematic consideration of institutions’ research performance;
  
• Assessment of their capacity for development;
  
• Application of a formula-based funding approach depending on work results.
  

Each structural unit that participated in the state evaluation will receive its share of basic funding in the form of a bonus for each employee. The share will be determined in the National Scientific Electronic System “URIS” proportionally to the contribution to the overall results in the corresponding area, taking into account the performance of leading units in higher education institutions or national universities.

How the New Funding Allocation Works

The key principle for distributing funds is the results of state evaluation. In addition, several parameters are considered, including the scale and size of the institution, external research funding attracted, publication quality, and the proportion of young scientists. These determine the volume of basic funding for each institution, the structure of fund usage, and development opportunities.

Funding is not evenly distributed: institutions receive different amounts, with priority given to those demonstrating higher performance. Basic funding is directed to institutions in groups A and B.

The annual volume of basic funding for a single institution ranges from several million to over UAH 100 million, depending on state evaluation results and institutional scale. For some institutions, funding growth may reach 30–60% or more compared to the previous period. The additional basic funding covers 156 scientific institutions and 91 universities across all regions of Ukraine, including frontline and border regions, as well as relocated establishments that receive additional support coefficients.

What the Funds Are Used For

Within the total UAH 3.28 billion, the majority of funds are directed to salary increases for scientific staff of the most effective institutions and units, totaling approximately UAH 2 billion. Salary increments per researcher range from UAH 2,000 to over 10,000 depending on the evaluation group, contribution of the structural unit, and institution scale.

About 20% of funding (~UAH 500 million) is allocated for modernization of laboratories, equipment, and scientific infrastructure.

Around UAH 300 million is earmarked for the development of institutions and their research support units, and over UAH 100 million is set aside for initiative-driven research projects.

In practice, this means salary increases of 30–70% in some institutions, the first opportunity to invest in equipment independently of grants, and the creation of conditions for long-term planning for the development of the most capable institutions and universities.

Examples of the New Funding Model in Action

• Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine – additional funding in 2026: UAH 35.2 million (≈UAH 22.9 million for salaries, ≈UAH 6.8 million for infrastructure, ≈UAH 3.7 million for initiative-driven research). Monthly salary increase per researcher: UAH 8,000 (~48% growth compared to 2025).
  
• Institute of Mathematics, NAS of Ukraine – additional funding: UAH 12.9 million (UAH 8.4 million for staff and units, UAH 2.0 million for institutional development, UAH 2.5 million for infrastructure, UAH 1.3 million for initiative research). Monthly increment per researcher: UAH 4,400 (~25% growth).
  
• Institute of Archaeology, NAS of Ukraine – additional funding: UAH 9.9 million (UAH 6.4 million for staff, UAH 1.9 million infrastructure, UAH 1.5 million development, UAH 1.0 million initiative research). Monthly increment: UAH 3,500 (~19% growth).
  
• State Institution “Institute of Grain Crops, NAS of Ukraine” – additional funding: UAH 10.3 million (UAH 6.7 million staff, UAH 2.0 million infrastructure, UAH 1.6 million development, UAH 1.1 million initiative research). Monthly increment per researcher: UAH 5,000 (~50% growth).
  
• National Scientific Center “Kharkiv Physico-Technical Institute” – one of the largest beneficiaries: ≈UAH 100 million (≈UAH 65 million for salaries and units, ≈UAH 20 million for infrastructure, ≈UAH 15 million for institutional development). Monthly increment per researcher: UAH 5,200 (~25% growth).
  

What This Means for Researchers and the System

The introduction of additional funding in this format represents a shift from ad-hoc decisions to systematic and sustainable support for the most effective scientific institutions. For researchers, this means stable income growth, access to modern equipment, and the ability to conduct effective research and development. For the state, it creates a transparent link between research quality and government support levels.

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