UK–Ukraine Horizon Europe Support Initiative
The UK–Ukraine Horizon Europe Support Initiative is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s integration into the European research and innovation ecosystem while reinforcing the UK’s leadership role in science diplomacy and international collaboration. The project aims to deliver structured, practical support for early-stage partnership building, researcher matchmaking, and consortium development between UK and Ukrainian universities, with a clear focus on increasing high-quality joint participation in Horizon Europe 2026–2027 calls.
Core expected outputs include large-scale researcher engagement, development of a national pipeline of Horizon-aligned project ideas, facilitation of new and existing UK–Ukraine research partnerships, and early progression toward joint funding applications.
The UK–Ukraine Horizon Europe Support Initiative is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
This initiative responds to the urgent need to strengthen UK–Ukraine research collaboration and provide a reliable pathway from promising ideas to fundable Horizon Europe projects. Rather than relying on informal networking, the programme offers a structured, facilitated model that helps researchers identify aligned partners, clarify roles, and move quickly towards credible consortia and submissions.
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Partner Matching & Researcher Connections
From introductions to structured collaboration
Cormack Consultancy Group facilitates active matchmaking between UK and Ukrainian researchers around specific themes and concept notes. Introductions are not left to chance: the programme supports follow-up, helps schedule calls, and guides discussions toward concrete outcomes — including alignment around specific Horizon Europe topics, partner roles, and next steps for proposal development.
Impact Snapshot
308 introductions facilitated
212 introductory calls organised (facilitated by CCG)
55 UK institutions engaged
20 initiated collaborations (joint planning underway)
10 existing partnerships supported
Matchmaking Event I - 9 December 2025 — Live Pitching & Networking
The first matchmaking event created a structured space for Ukrainian researchers to pitch live and for UK researchers to identify promising partnership opportunities. The event ran in two thematic sessions and attracted strong attendance on both sides, showing significant commitment to developing Horizon Europe collaborations beyond introductory interest.
Impact Snapshot
259 Ukrainian registrations (including 209 pitches + 50 observers)
296 UK registrations
Matchmaking Event II - 19 February 2026 — Advanced Partner Engagement
The second matchmaking event built on a subsequent set of concepts and ongoing conversations from earlier stages. A smaller, curated set of Ukrainian researchers were invited to pitch, enabling deeper partner discussions and more targeted follow-up for consortium formation. This format supports progression from interest to committed proposal-building.
Impact Snapshot
30 Ukrainian researchers invited to pitch
100 UK registrations
27 pitches delivered live
Attendance: 63 UK | 27 UA
International observers: Italy (1)
