Grant support for scientists, startups, and innovations
One of the key factors in the development of science is the funding and grant support for startups, researchers, and innovations.
Grant support is provided by both government organizations and international institutions.
“Horizon Europe” programme
Grants for startups are available through the transnational research and innovation framework programme “Horizon Europe” which is the largest such programme in the world. Within this programme, support is offered in the form of grants for startups and innovative projects across various areas.
Areas of focus include:
- health cluster
- digital, industrial, and space cluster
- climate, energy, and mobility
- culture, creativity, and inclusive society
- food, natural resources, agriculture, bioeconomy, and the environment
Global Innovation Fund
The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) is an independent global non-profit organization that invests in social innovations to improve the lives and opportunities of people in developing countries. The Fund provides financial support for startups and innovative projects aimed at addressing global development challenges, especially for poor and vulnerable populations.
GIF supports teams of researchers, non-profit and commercial organizations, government institutions, and others in all relevant sectors. The Fund provides grants, loans, and equity investments ranging from £30,000 to £10 million.
Ukrainian Startup Fund (Innovation Development Fund)
The Ukrainian Startup Fund is a government fund established at the initiative of the Ukrainian government. Its primary goal is to promote the development of early-stage technology startups and enhance their competitiveness. The Fund provides grants for innovative projects in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Startup Fund offers grants to startups in the early stages of development (pre-seed and seed). Pre-seed grants amount to $25,000, while seed grants are $50,000. Thus, the total grant amount for a single startup can reach $75,000.
As of March 1, 2023, the Innovation Development Fund has:
- processed over 3,700 applications
- provided grants exceeding 160 million UAH
- financed over 229 startups
European Institute of Innovation and Technology
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology continues its grant support programme for universities until 2027. Since the beginning of 2022, 22 grant projects have been implemented under this programme. The main objective of these projects is to stimulate entrepreneurship development in universities, providing them with resources to support innovative ideas from young scientists and researchers, conducting student startup competitions, and enhancing their capabilities. In 2023, over 50 educational and entrepreneurial initiatives for Ukraine were launched.
National Research Fund of Ukraine (NRFU)
The main task of the Fund is to provide grant support for:
- fundamental research in natural, social, technical, and humanities sciences
- applied scientific research and scientific-technical (experimental) developments in priority areas of science and technology development
In 2021, contracts were signed to fund 208 winning projects.
The total planned funding amount for grant projects under these contracts in 2021 was 660,804,825 UAH, which is 405,503,397 UAH more than in 2020.
In 2021, funding was provided for:
- scientific institutions for 116 projects totalling over 402.8 million UAH
- higher education institutions for 97 projects totalling over 256.9 million UAH
- other institutions for one project amounting to 988,100 UAH
Google Support Fund
Google continues to support Ukrainian startups. With the assistance of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, a call for applications for the second phase of the Google Support Fund for startups in Ukraine was announced, with a budget of $10 million.
Ukrainian companies can receive up to $100,000 for their business operations. These funds can be used to recover businesses affected by the war, scale up, or create new products to achieve company objectives.
Priority will be given to companies that utilize artificial intelligence.
Ukrainian startups that received support
In March, the Innovation Development Fund (USF) jointly with GIST (Global Innovation through Science and Technology initiative) and in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine held a competition for scientists and entrepreneurs, Science & Business – GIST Pitch Days. As a result of this event, 25 Ukrainian startups received grants totaling $125,000.
Winning Startups
Healthcare
- InTempo – mobile application with anti-stress functions, a fidgetal game
- CheckEye – cloud solution for identifying diabetic retinopathy based on fundus photos using ML/AI algorithms
- Anima – neurobiological test for assessing mental state
- WildfiresUA – online information on air quality
- Health Helper – device for diagnosing the vascular system
Agriculture and Biotechnology
- Yes Straws – innovative technology for recycling reed stems for eco-friendly drinking straws
- Foodwise – service for ordering food at reduced prices
- Parostok – pre-sowing seed treatment installation to increase yield by 15% to 70%
- Agrobon
- – agromarketplace based on a modern Ukrainian digital blockchain platform
- Biogenic Silver – development of a scheme for producing biogenic nanoparticles of a certain shape and properties from biogenic silver nanoparticles for treating bacterial infections as bactericidal agents
Infrastructure and Industry
- Zeely – mobile website builder
- INPUT SOFT – software for the aviation industry for cost calculation and efficiency improvement
- Corner – eco-friendly furniture created using proprietary software and production in Ukraine
- ScanWare – service for automating data collection and inventory control in warehouses
- Lego-Eco Brick – eco-friendly building blocks
- Solutions for using stone slag as a filler for producing cement mortar and bricks
- Green Go – plant-based products (analogs of plant-based meat and fish)
Energy and Environment
- MaxAh.LLC – innovative startup producing li-ion batteries
- OptySun – full-cycle drinking water preparation device that operates without the need for water and electricity and requires no consumables
- e-waste recycling – recycling of organic waste
- Solar Plex – technology startup that enhances the efficiency of photovoltaic panels by reducing their temperature and using excess heat for heating, e.g., water
- MELT WATER CLUB – unique cleaning agents that utilize freezing technology for water purification
- Biotechnology for accelerated processing of organic waste to obtain biofertilizer and purified water
- rekava – biodegradable disposable dishes made from coffee grounds
- VITERoK – compact bladeless generator capable of producing up to 2 kWh
There are many programs both in Ukraine and abroad that provide grants, scholarships, and funding for scientific research, innovation development, and support for science, contributing to the overall progress of society.
Obtaining research grants for scientists and researchers from around the world is extremely important. It fosters personal and professional development, opening many doors for career growth.
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