The Call is aimed at supporting excellent fundamental research involving the formulation and solution of respective scientific issues by groups of leading and early-career researchers in response to contemporary challenges and needs of Ukrainian society, with the purpose of ensuring Ukraine’s global competitiveness, fostering the development of national research capacity, and promoting integration into the global research area.

• Thematic areas of the Call: fundamental research addressing the most important challenges in the development of scientific and technological, social and economic, social and political, and human potential to ensure Ukraine’s global competitiveness and sustainable development of society and the state (priority area defined in paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine “On Priority Branches of Science and Technology Development”);
• Duration of Projects to be selected under the Call: up to 3 years;
• Total funding available for Projects to be selected under the Call: up to UAH 800 million (up to UAH 300 million in 2027, up to UAH 250 million in 2028, and up to UAH 250 million in 2029);
• Start date and time for submission of Applications to the Call: 25.03.2026 з 0:01;
• Applications submission deadline: 24.04.2026 до 23:59;
• Scientific and technical review and summarizing the results of the Call: until 15.12.2026 (tentatively).

The Terms and Conditions of the Call, including the requirements for the applicants, the Project PI and implementers, the criteria for the selection and numerical assessment of Projects, details of the preliminary review procedure, the conduct of scientific and technical review and announcement of the Call results, the list of documents to be submitted by the Call applicant together with the Application, as well as the grounds for rejection of the Application on formal grounds, are available at the following link: Terms and Conditions of the Call.

Contact Information

Non-technical (general) inquiries regarding the Call

Grant Support Division of the NRFU

excellent.2026@nrfu.org.ua 

+(38) 044 298 16 30

Technical support issues (submission of applications via the Automated System “NRFU Call for Projects”)

IT Department of the NRFU

support@nrfu.org.ua 

Note: Please be informed that these communication channels operate exclusively during working hours (Mon–Thu 09:00–18:00 (Kyiv time), Fri 09:00–16:45 (Kyiv time)). We also recommend submitting your inquiries no later than 5 working days before the application deadline for the Call.

Important: The Foundation does not provide consultations regarding the compliance of individuals intending to apply for the Call (Call applicants, Project authors) with the Terms and Conditions of the Call, nor regarding the content of Projects planned for submission (or submitted) to the Call, or recommendations on completing Applications for grant support (and accompanying documents), etc. Please use the above communication channels strictly within the defined scope of inquiries (for obtaining general information on the conduct of the Call or technical support regarding the Automated System “NRFU Call for Projects”).