The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has announced the launch of the main competition for fundamental and applied research projects for 2026. The competition is open to employees of higher education institutions and research organizations under the authority of the Ministry, as well as those involved in conducting comprehensive interagency research. The announcement was made by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated September 24, 2025, No. 1281.

The competition is conducted in accordance with the new Regulation on the Competitive Selection of Research and R&D (Experimental) Projects and the Evaluation of Their Results, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated June 30, 2025, No. 947, and registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on July 31, 2025, under No. 1131/44537.

Eligibility

• Higher education institutions and research organizations under the authority of the MES;
  
• Researchers from institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
  

Project leaders must be scientific or academic staff employed full-time at a higher education institution in Ukraine and working directly within the country.

Main Stages of the Competition

• Stage 1: September 25 – October 27, 2025 (until 13:00 Kyiv time). During this stage, universities and research institutions prepare their projects and submit materials to the National Electronic Research Information System (URIS).
  
• Stage 2: October 27 – December 28, 2025. Expert review and evaluation of submitted projects within the system, followed by the selection of winners.