European Commission launches ERA4Ukraine web portal to support Ukrainian scientists

European Commission has launched ERA4Ukraine a web portal to provide information support for Ukrainian scientists who have fled from Ukraine due to  the war in Ukraine. This project unites initiatives from the European Union, individual countries and non-governmental organizations.

The initiative provides information on:

• recognition of diplomas;
• job offers;
• social assistance;
• housing for scientists and members of their families.

The ERA4Ukraine portal is launched on the existing EURAXESS network, which supports researchers by connecting more than 600 centres and 43 national portals across the EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. All information will soon be available in both English and Ukrainian. Each Member State and associated country has a national portal where  support services are listed in a structured way. So far, 30 country portals are available. 

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, declared: “We stand with  researchers and innovators of Ukraine who face unprecedented circumstances due to the Russian invasion against our country. Ukrainian scientists and researchers have been key contributors to EU research and innovation. Pending the ratification of Ukraine's association to Horizon Europe, we have ensured  successful beneficiaries can already receive funding from the EU R&I programmes. Today's launch of ERA4Ukraine is another important action to support our Ukrainian peers.”

Last week, Maria Leptin, the President of the European Research Council (ERC) has asked all 5600 ERC grantees to provide temporary employment to refugee researchers and support staff from Ukraine. This new ERC initiative is included in the ERA4Ukraine portal. So far, within just a couple of days, 380 offers have been received. A press release has been published here.

Other EU initiatives include access to Science4Refugees, an existing EURAXESS initiative that provides internships, part-time and full-time jobs to refugees. The ERA4Ukraine portal also links to #Science4Ukraine, a community group of volunteer students and research scientists from academic institutions in Europe and around the world. The volunteers collect and disseminate information about support opportunities at the university, national, and international levels for graduate students and researchers directly affiliated to Ukraine academic institutions.

The Russian military aggression against Ukraine has created the largest humanitarian crisis Europe in decades. The European Commission and Member States are working on all fronts to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid and civil protection.