Ukraine advances research infrastructure reform with PSF support

Ukraine's research and innovation (R&I) system has faced longstanding challenges - many of which have been exacerbated by Russia's full-scale war of aggression. Even before the war, the country's research infrastructure (RI) landscape was marked by underinvestment, outdated facilities, and fragmented governance. In response, Ukraine is now implementing major reforms to modernise its research infrastructure and the overall R&I system, aligning it more closely with European standards and laying the foundation for post-war recovery and long-term growth. The national RI ecosystem includes a wide array of structures - from Centers for Joint Research Equipment Use (CJREUs) to National Research Centres and State Key Laboratories. These assets reflect the scale of Ukraine's scientific base, but many are concentrated within the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), with limited links to higher education institutions or regional innovation priorities. Fragmented governance across more than 20 public bodies, constrained budgets and procedural barriers have restricted their impact. Since 2022, the war of aggression against Ukraine has had a devastating effect on the R&I sector. Over 1,200 buildings and nearly 170 institutions have been damaged or destroyed. At the same time, Ukraine continues to prioritise science and innovation, recognising their importance for resilience, recovery and global competitiveness. In 2024, a national reform effort - supported by the Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility (PSF) - was launched to guide a new strategic vision for the country's RIs.