Experience Of Ukrainian Scientists’participation In Projects With Grant Funding

Abstract

Grant funding of research projects is an important mechanism of research activities, which provides the possibility of conducting research, developing innovations, implementing educational, social, and cultural programs. The article presents the results of a questionnaire survey of Ukrainian researchers about their opportunities to participate in grant projects under extreme conditions. The survey, conducted in 2024 within the framework of the youth project “The Role of Young Scientists of Ukraine in Implementing Grant Projects under Extreme Conditions,” covered 28 participants of national and international programs, including those of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Erasmus Mundus, and others. The sample mainly consisted of employees of Ukrainian academic institutes (90% of respondents). The primary tool for collecting empirical data was a questionnaire survey, supplemented by content analysis and comparative analysis methods. In addition to the survey results, the source base included open data from national and international foundations. The results of the survey show that 64% of respondents reported an increase in the possibility of participation of Ukrainian researchers in international competitions after the start of the full-scale war with Russia. The majority of respondents (66.7%) indicated that the presence of a young researcher in a project team was mandatory. The main problem when preparing an application was the selection of qualified performers (35.7%). 88% of respondents were confident that the obtained research results would contribute to post-war reconstruction. More than 50% of respondents believed that their research achievements could be used in the post-war reconstruction of the country in the field of science and education, 10% — in the defense sector, 8% — in small and medium-sized businesses, 9% — in industry. Key barriers to the participation of Ukrainian scientists in grant projects have been identified, including a lack of institutional support, insufficient proficiency in English, and the complexity of application procedures. At the same time, a high level of interest and motivation among researchers to engage in grant programs as a means of professional development and improving the quality of scientific activity was revealed. The results obtained highlighted only some tendencies in the use of extrabudgetary funding sources by Ukrainian scientists under conditions of limited state funding for research and development and a critical socio-political situation in the country, which can be utilized to improve Ukraine’s science and technology policy.