Scientists wanted

Ukrainian scientists are offered to become international specialists and share their ideas with the world. They can take part in the project of the EU Seventh Framework Program “Joint Support Office for enhancing Ukraine’s integration into the European Research Area.” The scientists can present ideas and suggestions in many areas: development of IT, nanotechnologies and new production technologies; improving public health, environmental protection or food quality; developing the agriculture and fishing industries; new ideas in the socio-economic sciences, etc. The main requirement is their contribution to economic growth and the strengthening of the EU’s and its associated members’ competitiveness.

This program has been functioning in Ukraine since 2009, but only 150 scientists have joined it for now. However, they can do more, and our specialists have a chance to present themselves to the European scientific community before the project comes to a close at the end of the current year. The problem is that the Ukrainian scientific community has little information about the EU project. That is why the managers of the project are now holding an information campaign; they organized an international conference on the importance of Ukraine’s participation in the EU research program in Kyiv on April 6. They also hope to receive support from the Ministry of Science, Education, Youth and Sports, which could help spread information about the program. However, the participation of the mi-nistry’s representatives is still being discussed.

Apart from scientists or scientific institutions, the project can also be joined by universities, small and large enterprises, producers, ministries, regional authorities, etc. According to the director of the project Aleksander Bakowski, Ukraine should be interested in involving its enterprises in the project, as later they will be able to implement the achievements of the European scientists in the areas of public health, energy saving, transport, etc.

As a third party in the project, Ukraine does not contribute to the joint budget of the European research program. At the same time it can be subsidized if it receives a grant. The program’s budget for 2007-13 is about 50 billion euros. Slightly more than 10 million euros have been assigned for the 150 projects of the Ukrainians. However, the financing of their ideas is not the main attraction for our scientists.

“This is a chance for Ukraine to open the door to the European scientific area,” remarked program expert Olha Kot. “It’s an opportunity for any scientist to exchange his ideas with like-minded colleagues. They have to understand that the EU is interested in involving new countries in mutually profitable research. When our scientists apply, they have to ask themselves: why would their contribution be interesting for the EU? If their goals match the tasks set by the EU, they have better chances to win. Participating in such programs, they gain experience and the chance to be published in European scientific journals. Now our scientists aren’t widely published in European countries. As a result, the participants improve their qualifications and get more chances to participate in new international projects. Besides, our scientists can use new modern equipment, inaccessible in Ukraine, while realizing their projects.”

Since the Ukrainian government doesn’t always favor the development of science, our scientists have a great opportunity to fulfill themselves and learn from foreign experience in order to later implement it in Ukraine.