INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF UKRAINE

Their core work

The Institute of Physics (IOP) in Kyiv is a major Ukrainian research center with a dual role in H2020: it conducts fundamental and applied research in condensed matter physics — particularly functional materials, ferroics, and organic light-emitting materials — while simultaneously operating as Ukraine's Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) node, brokering technology transfer and innovation partnerships between Ukrainian and European SMEs. On the research side, IOP contributes expertise in crystal structures, phase transitions, and molecular materials for next-generation displays. On the innovation services side, it runs structured programmes (KAM, EIMC) that help Ukrainian companies access European technology and markets.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

IOP's early H2020 period (2016-2018) combined biophysics research (membrane proteins) with the launch of their EEN innovation brokerage role and entry into functional materials research. By 2018-2020, the research side shifted toward applied molecular materials — particularly TADF for organic LEDs — while the innovation services expanded from basic KAM schemes to combined KAM and EIMC services, indicating a maturing tech-transfer operation. The recurring EEN-Ukraine coordination with growing budgets (EUR 24,500 → EUR 70,000) shows increasing EU trust in their brokerage capacity.

IOP is evolving from a pure physics institute toward a dual-function organization that pairs materials science research with structured innovation brokerage, making them a potential gateway for European companies seeking Ukrainian R&D partnerships.

How they like to work

IOP predominantly leads projects — coordinating 4 of their 6 H2020 actions — but their coordination work is mainly in innovation support (EEN) rather than research. When it comes to research, they join as partners in larger international consortia (TransFerr, TADFlife). With 42 unique partners across 18 countries, they maintain a broad and non-repetitive network, which is consistent with their EEN brokerage role connecting diverse organizations.

IOP has collaborated with 42 unique partners across 18 countries, reflecting both their EEN networking mandate and participation in multi-partner MSCA research actions. Their geographic reach spans the EU broadly, with particular connectivity to Central and Eastern European research communities.

What sets them apart

IOP occupies a rare dual position: it is both a serious condensed matter physics lab and Ukraine's primary EEN innovation broker. This means a European partner gets access to Ukrainian physics expertise AND a structured pipeline to Ukrainian SMEs and industry. For consortium builders, IOP can serve as both a research contributor and the dissemination/exploitation bridge into the Ukrainian market — two roles that usually require two separate partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TADFlife
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 221,946) and participation in a high-profile MSCA network on next-generation OLED technology — signals serious materials science capability.
• EEN-Ukraine
  Three consecutive coordination grants (2017-2021) with growing budgets demonstrate sustained EU confidence in IOP as Ukraine's innovation brokerage hub.
• TransFerr
  Long-running MSCA-RISE project (2017-2023) on ferroic materials with metastable phases — shows capacity for sustained international research mobility partnerships.