NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF UKRAINE NAS OF UKRAINE

Their core work

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) is the country's highest-ranking scientific institution, coordinating fundamental and applied research across dozens of institutes in physics, materials science, engineering, and life sciences. In H2020, NASU served as Ukraine's primary gateway for integrating into the European Research Area, facilitating policy dialogue and researcher mobility between Ukraine and EU member states. Their participation focused on building institutional bridges — aligning Ukrainian R&I policy with EU frameworks and opening doors for Ukrainian scientists to join European consortia in aviation, advanced materials, and manufacturing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

NASU's early H2020 engagement (2016-2019) was dominated by broad EU-Ukraine integration efforts: aligning STI policy, building researcher networks, and increasing Horizon 2020 participation across Eastern Partnership countries. In the later period (2021+), their focus narrowed toward specific thematic areas — particularly advanced materials and manufacturing (NMBP) — with an emphasis on preparing for Horizon Europe and supporting underrepresented regions. This shift suggests a move from general capacity-building toward targeted sectoral engagement.

NASU is transitioning from broad policy-level integration work toward targeted participation in specific Horizon Europe thematic areas like advanced materials and manufacturing, signaling readiness for deeper technical collaboration.

How they like to work

NASU has participated exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — across all four H2020 projects, reflecting the typical role of an Associated Country institution building capacity within EU frameworks. Their 36 unique consortium partners across 24 countries indicate a remarkably wide network for just four projects, driven by the large, multi-country nature of Coordination and Support Actions. They are a connector organization: broadly networked but not yet leading consortia independently.

Despite only four projects, NASU has collaborated with 36 unique partners across 24 countries — an exceptionally broad network driven by large CSA consortia. Their geographic reach spans nearly the entire EU plus Eastern Partnership countries.

What sets them apart

NASU is the single most important research institution in Ukraine, with over 150 research institutes under its umbrella. For any consortium needing a credible Ukrainian partner — whether for geographic coverage, Eastern Partnership relevance, or access to Ukrainian scientific expertise — NASU is the default institutional entry point. Their policy-level experience means they understand both EU and Ukrainian research governance, making them effective at navigating cross-border collaboration barriers.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AERO-UA
  Largest single grant (EUR 99,125) and the only thematically specific project, targeting Europe-Ukraine aviation research aligned with Flightpath 2050.
• FIT-4-NMP
  Most recent project (2021-2023), marking NASU's pivot toward Horizon Europe readiness in advanced materials and manufacturing — a signal of future direction.