The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine announced the first competition for applied research and development commissioned by businesses

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has announced the first competition for joint applied research and scientific and technical developments aimed at solving real technological and production needs of Ukrainian enterprises.

The goal of the initiative is to help scientific teams transform research results into technologies, prototypes and solutions that can be implemented in production. Research topics are based on specific technical tasks defined by enterprises, and the state shares the financing and risks of the research and development stage.

Who can participate?

• Performers: State institutions of higher education and state scientific institutions that meet the requirements of the competition.
• Initiators: Small, medium and large businesses interested in joint research and development.

There are two ways to apply. Institutions without a business partner can choose a technical task from a published list of tasks submitted by businesses. Alternatively, a business and an institution can jointly define a topic and submit a joint application, which must fall within the competition’s priority areas.

Priority areas

The priority areas are national security and defence; energy and energy efficiency; transport and the rocket and space industries; aircraft and shipbuilding; new materials and nanotechnologies; the agro-industrial complex; medicine and pharmaceuticals; clean production and environmental protection; and information and communication technologies and robotics.

What support is provided?

The total amount of state funding for the competition is UAH 82.7 million. The state can cover up to 65% of the cost of a project with a small business, up to 60% with a medium-sized business and up to 50% with a large business. The rest is financed by the business partner.

The duration of one project is up to 18 months. Proposals are evaluated on, among other criteria, the uniqueness of the solution, its commercial suitability, the feasibility of practical implementation, the level of technological readiness and the expected socio-economic effect for Ukraine.

How to apply

Applications are submitted electronically through the National Electronic Scientific Information System. The Agency for Applied Research will provide information and analytical support, including help with finding partners and formulating topics.

The deadline is 20 November 2026, 5:00 p.m.

The competition is a pilot project approved by Resolution No. 1075 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 26 August 2026. It was prepared with expert support from the joint project of the Ministry and the World Bank “Improving Higher Education in Ukraine for Results” (UIHERP).

Read the official announcement and participant guide

Source: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 22 October 2026.

Information and communication technologies and robotics are among the priority areas of a new Ukrainian competition that co-finances applied research projects commissioned by businesses.