European research infrastructures say they have hosted researchers and worked on joint projects
More than half of surveyed European research infrastructures are offering support to Ukrainian researchers, but some are struggling to do so due to funding issues.
The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures—which advises governments on how best to support large-scale infrastructures—surveyed 32 research infrastructures and published the results on 23 November.
Esfri previously called for research infrastructures to support Ukrainian researchers whose work has been “severely disrupted” by Russia’s invasion of the country. It conducted the survey to gauge the level of support that has been provided.
Seventeen of the 32 research infrastructures said they had supported Ukrainian research by hosting researchers or students, undertaking joint research projects, providing training, awarding grants or facilitating access to physical infrastructure.
Most of these infrastructures relied on their own funding to do so, while a few used government funding.
Funding shortfalls
Twelve research infrastructures said they had not implemented support, citing a lack of funding, limited connection to Ukrainian research communities, geographical constraints or their specialism not being relevant.
Three of these said they were planning future support and welcomed applications from Ukrainian researchers.
Esfri said the results demonstrated that “significant support” was being offered to Ukraine and underscored “the importance of a well-developed system of RIs…for the increased resilience of our research and innovation system”.