In accordance with amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activities”, developed by the Government and adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in early 2026, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has launched a public consultation on a new mechanism to support researchers at the early stages of their careers. The proposed Regulation sets out the procedure for the competitive selection of postdoctoral researchers, as well as the conditions for funding and conducting their research.

The key objective is to create conditions for researchers to pursue and continue their scientific careers after obtaining a PhD or Doctor of Arts degree, promote academic mobility, and strengthen the research capacity of Ukrainian higher education institutions and research institutions.

One of the key principles of the new mechanism will be internal academic mobility. Postdoctoral researchers will be able to choose research institutions or higher education institutions other than those where they completed their doctoral training. This will facilitate the exchange of experience between research teams, foster inter-institutional cooperation, and support the formation of new research teams. For universities and research institutions, this is an opportunity to strengthen their human resource capacity and launch new research areas.

How will the new mechanism work?

Under the proposed Regulation, researchers who obtained a PhD (Candidate of Sciences) or Doctor of Arts degree no more than five years ago will be eligible to participate in the competitive selection process.

Research will be conducted under competitive programmes developed by higher education institutions and research institutions in line with thematic priorities defined by the state.

The main conditions are as follows:

• Up to 36 months — the duration of a research project.
• Up to three applications per participant — applicants may apply to programmes offered by different higher education institutions and research institutions where they did not undertake their doctoral training.
• Independent expert evaluation — each application will be assessed by three experts, taking into account scientific novelty, relevance, practical value, and the prospects for applying the results.
• Engagement of scientific advisers, including experts from leading international institutions.
• Electronic format — the competitive selection process will be conducted through the National Electronic Research Information System.
• State funding — support will be awarded on a competitive basis, within the limits of the budget appropriations provided.

Research institutions and higher education institutions classified in Groups A, B or C following state research assessment will be eligible to participate in the competitive programmes, subject to the thematic focus of the relevant research.

New opportunities for higher education institutions and research institutions

The introduction of postdoctoral research will create additional opportunities for the development of higher education institutions and research institutions themselves.

Engaging postdoctoral researchers will help strengthen research teams, develop new research areas, and make more effective use of existing laboratory facilities and research infrastructure.

Participation in competitive programmes will also create opportunities to attract additional funding for research. Promising results may provide a basis for applying to international grant programmes, including those funded by the European Union.

Transparent selection and a focus on results

The selection of future postdoctoral researchers will involve independent expert evaluation of research proposals. The main criteria will include scientific novelty, the soundness of the proposed research, its potential for practical application, the applicant’s research track record, and the justification of planned expenditure.

Following the competition, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will approve the list of successful applicants. Research funding will be provided in stages in accordance with the agreements concluded, while interim and final results will undergo scientific and technical evaluation.

Particular attention will be paid to academic integrity, transparency in competitive procedures, and the prevention of conflicts of interest.

The new mechanism is expected to contribute to a sustainable system of support for researchers after they obtain a PhD or Doctor of Arts degree, promote academic mobility, strengthen the competitiveness of Ukrainian research institutions, and further integrate Ukrainian science into the European Research Area.

Comments and suggestions on the draft regulation may be submitted by email to Olena Levanda, State Expert of the Competitive Research Funding Expert Group at the Directorate for Science Development of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (olena.levanda@mon.gov.ua), until 9 November 2026 inclusive.

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