MSCA4Ukraine

MSCA4Ukraine

As part of the EU’s response to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, a new dedicated fellowship scheme – MSCA4Ukraine – will provide support to displaced researchers from Ukraine. Endowed with 25 Mio. EUR, this support scheme will enable displaced researchers to continue their work at academic and non-academic organisations in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, while maintaining their connections to research and innovation communities in Ukraine. The scheme may also facilitate researchers’ reintegration in Ukraine if conditions for safe return are met, in order to prevent permanent brain drain, and contribute to strengthening the Ukrainian university and research sector and its collaboration and exchange with the international research community.

• Detailed information on MSCA4Ukraine on SAR Europe website

The fellowship

The MSCA4Ukraine Programme will enable academic and non-academic institutions in all European Union member states and in Horizon Europe-associated states to host doctoral students and PhD holders/postdoctoral fellows for a period of 6 to 24 months.

Fellowship rates for researchers are the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships as outlined in the MSCA work programme (cf. p. 83 for PhD holders/postdoctoral fellows and p75 for doctoral fellows). Since the cost of living differs across host countries, a country correction coefficient applies to the monthly living allowance in order to ensure equal treatment across host countries and purchasing power parity for all researchers.

In addition, MSCA4Ukraine will provide contributions towards institutional costs, such as research, training and networking as well as management and indirect costs.

You must meet the following criteria

In line with the MSCA work programme, support to individual researchers will be open to all domains of research and innovation and aligned with the general objectives and principles of the MSCA, including scientific excellence, skills and career development, inter-sectoral mobility, equal opportunities and inclusiveness, attractive working conditions and work/life balance, while fostering open science, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Applications must be submitted by prospective host institutions on behalf of named researchers who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Candidates are either (1) Ukrainian nationals or (2) stateless persons or (3) nationals from third countries other than Ukraine, with their primary residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
• Candidates have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022.
• Candidates are either postdoctoral researchers (i.e. in possession of a doctoral degree by the time the fellowship is set to begin) or researchers who, on or after 24 February 2022, were enrolled as doctoral candidates at a higher education institution in Ukraine.
• Candidates have the language skills required to successfully conduct their research activities at the prospective host institution, as confirmed by the applicant host institution.
• Current and former MSCA4Ukraine fellows are not eligible to be nominated.

Prospective host organisations can be academic or non-academic organisations in any EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country. The primary host organisation (the MSCA4Ukraine applicant) must be outside Ukraine, but organisations within Ukraine can host researchers during a secondment arrangement and in a reintegration phase of up to one third of the fellowship duration.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the MSCA4Ukraine programme, please submit the necessary documents to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation online only. The online application portal will be open on this website from 5 August to 5 September 2024 (23:59 CEST).

The application must be submitted by the prospective host institution (applicant) on behalf of a researcher (candidate). The fellowships are expected to be granted in March 2025 and to start in April 2025.

For detailed information on the application process, templates and Frequently Asked Questions, please see https://sareurope.eu/msca4ukraine/ and consult the Terms of Reference for Applicants.

What we need from you

Please note that the application can only be submitted once the following documents have been uploaded to the application form:

• Eligibility Self-Disclosure Statement (see sample) including a confirmation of PhD, C. Sc. or a confirmation that the candidate was enrolled in Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 and copies of an identity document of the researcher
• Signed host institution statement on planned support for candidate (see sample)
• Application outline (up to 6 pages, based on the template provided)
• Full application proposal (up to 11 pages, based on the template provided)
• Ethical self-assessment (see sample)
• Academic mentor's statement (see sample)
• Optional: Candidate's full list of publications (see sample)

Please note that the document proving the candidate's identity and the mentor’s statement can only be uploaded in a protected area by the candidate and the academic mentor personally. You can only submit the application once these documents have been uploaded. Further information and explanations can be found in the online application form.

As soon as we have received your online application, we will send you written confirmation by email.

All documents must be submitted in English. Translations must be provided for any documents that are not in English.

Advice

Scholars at Risk Europe at Maynooth University in Ireland will provide individual advice for eligible researchers and host institutions across Europe:
Email: MSCA4Ukraine[at]mu.ie

Your contact at the Humboldt Foundation:

- Christopher Marx, Programme Officer MSCA4Ukraine
- Nicholas Jason Miniaci, Programme Officer MSCA4Ukraine
- Frederik Strobel, Programme Officer MSCA4Ukraine
- Lena Vos, Programme Officer MSCA4Ukraine
- Julia Ihde, Programme Coordinator MSCA4Ukraine
- Oksana Seumenicht, Project Manager MSCA4Ukraine
- Holger Radke, Project Manager MSCA4Ukraine
Email: MSCA4Ukraine[at]avh.de

We ask for your understanding that we cannot offer advice by phone. Please use the e-mail address provided for your questions. We would appreciate it if you send your emails in English language.

Useful links

• Philipp Schwartz Initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
• Sponsorship opportunities for researchers at risk
• Inspireurope resources for researchers at risk and host institutions

Partners