Please note that the MSCA4Ukraine portal will close on 05 September 2024 at 23:59h CEST. Late applications will not be considered.

As noted in the MSCA4Ukraine 2024 Call for Applications and the Terms of Reference for Applicants, applications must be submitted by prospective host institutions on behalf of a named researcher.

The following eligibility criteria for researchers from Ukraine must be met:

• Candidates are (1) Ukrainian nationals, or (2) stateless persons, or (3) nationals from third countries other than Ukraine, with their primary residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
• Candidates have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022.
• Current and former MSCA4Ukraine fellows are not eligible to be nominated.
• Candidates are

(1) postdoctoral researchers at the date of the call deadline, i.e. in possession of a doctoral degree (PhD or кандидат наук)[1]. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree are considered as postdoctoral researchers and eligible to apply. The successful defence must be unconditional (no further requirements/corrections that need to be addressed) and take place before the call deadline. Supporting documentation may be requested.

Or

(2) researchers who, on or after 24 February 2022, were enrolled as doctoral candidates at a higher educational institution in Ukraine.

Candidates have the language skills required to successfully conduct their research activities at the envisaged host organisation, as confirmed by the host organisation in the application.

[1] A medical doctor degree will be accepted only when it corresponds to a doctoral degree or if the researcher  can demonstrate his/her appointment in a position that requires doctoral equivalency (e.g. professorship  appointment). Medical doctor degrees corresponding to basic medical training as defined in Annex V of  Directive 2005/36/EC will not be considered a doctoral degree.

Primary residence refers to the place where one habitually lives, studies/ works, pays taxes and utility bills.

No. As noted in the MSCA4Ukraine 2024 Call for Applications and the Terms of Reference for Applicants, eligible host organisations are academic or non-academic organisations (not subject to any of the EU restrictive measures)  in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries,  Please note that, given the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the involvement of Belarus, there is currently no appropriate context allowing the implementation of any MSCA4Ukraine-related activities with legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine. Therefore, even where such entities are not subject to EU restrictive measures, such legal entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity.

No. While match-making services were provided in the 1^st call, this service will not be provided for the 2^nd call.

No. The primary host organisation (the MSCA4Ukraine applicant) must be outside Ukraine, as the purpose of the scheme is to provide support to displaced researchers currently residing outside Ukraine. While the standard MSCA mobility rules will not apply to the MSCA4Ukraine scheme, the principle of mobility still applies. However, organisations within government-controlled territories of Ukraine can host researchers during a secondment arrangement of up to one-third of the fellowship duration.

Yes. As of January 1, 2024 the United Kingdom is an associated country to Horizon Europe, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Therefore, prospective host organisations in the UK are eligible to apply to MSCA4Ukraine.

No. Only host organisations in countries associated to Horizon Europe are eligible to apply. However, organisations established in Switzerland and other non-associated third countries can host researchers for secondments.

No. The MSCA4Ukraine scheme does not impose any age limits. However, in its provision of an employment contract to the researcher, the host organisation will need to ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation in the host country.

No. There are no such restrictions for MSCA4Ukraine.

Fellowship rates for researchers are the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 at p.83 for PhD holders/postdoctoral fellows, and at p.75 for doctoral fellows.  Since the cost of living differs across host countries, please note a country correction coefficient (Table 1, pp.105) applies to the monthly living allowance in order to ensure equal treatment across host countries and purchasing power parity for all researchers. In addition to contributions for researchers, MSCA4Ukraine will provide contributions towards institutional costs. Kindly further note that the fellowships awarded as result of the call for proposals 2024 are aligned with those of its first (2022) call, for which the 2021-2022 Work Programme applies, and not the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025.

No, it is not necessary to submit a financial plan.

Yes. Under the MSCA4Ukraine scheme, host organisations will receive the same monthly contribution towards institutional costs regardless of whether they host doctoral or postdoctoral candidates. For MSCA4Ukraine, the rates for institutional costs will be the postdoctoral rates, as listed on p. 83 of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022.

The MSCA4Ukraine scheme provides the same family allowance as that provided under the MSCA doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship schemes (MSCA rates, including family allowance rates provided in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 at p.83 for PhD holders/postdoctoral fellows, and at p.75 for doctoral fellows). For the purpose of the family allowance, the researcher’s family includes “persons linked to him/her by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised; or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher.”

It is recommended that the application be completed and submitted by any of the following: a grants management officer, research officer, or international office staff member, or another organisational contact point authorised to take on the following responsibilities of the primary contact point for the MSCA4Ukraine application. The primary contact point will:

• Coordinate the application process for all MSCA4Ukraine candidates at their organisation. However, if the organisation anticipates submitting a high number of applications, the organisation may wish to assign two or three separate contact points who should ensure to coordinate with each other, as there is a limit of 2 million euro to any one organisation under this scheme. (See the Terms of Reference for Applicants, section 4.2)
• Serve as primary contact for the MSCA4Ukraine Consortium at the application stage
• Ensure compliance with MSCA4Ukraine Terms of Reference, including eligibility
• Ensure the academic mentor interviews the candidate
• Ensure verification of documentation on identity, academic record and relevant language proficiency of the candidate
• Develop host organisation’s statement on support measures for candidates
• Liaise with relevant offices on ethics-related issues and ensure the appointment of the Ethics contact person, if applicable
• Initiate and complete application in the online application portal
• Ensure timely contribution of all parties involved

The academic mentor must be an active researcher employed by or affiliated at the applicant organisation. Any individual academic mentor can only support one application. However, an academic mentor of a funded MSCA4Ukraine fellow is not precluded from becoming mentor of a new applicant. Their responsibilities at the application stage and, if the application is successful, will include:

• Conduct an interview with the candidate before application
• Provide confidential assessment of the candidate’s academic profile, achievements and future potential, and of the quality of the research proposal in the academic mentor’s statement as part of the application
• Provide workspace and access to relevant research equipment
• Serve as primary academic collaborator/advisor (in case of doctoral candidates: mentor or co-mentor) of the candidate
• Support the candidate in successfully completing their research proposal and furthering their academic qualifications

Yes. One and the same person (other than the candidate) can have different roles, for example, act as academic mentor and project manager at the same time.

Only one proposal per individual candidate can be submitted. In case of several proposals involving the same individual candidate, only the last proposal submitted will be considered eligible.

No, any individual academic mentor can support only one proposal/candidate for the MSCA4Ukraine programme. However, an academic mentor of a funded MSCA4Ukraine fellow is not precluded from becoming mentor of a new applicant. Please also note that this requirement relates to MSCA4Ukraine only and does not affect applications within other MSCA programmes (e.g. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships).

Yes, as long as one academic mentor is appointed as a primary mentor and his/her contact details are provided in the application form. The second mentor and his/her role should be described in the application where suitable (both in Part 1 and Part 2 templates), but no separate statement of the second mentor is required.

Doctoral candidates must be researchers who, on or after 24 February 2022, were enrolled as doctoral candidates at a higher educational institution in Ukraine. Enrolment at the host organisation is also recommended if possible, or at least a cotutelle arrangement with the host organisation. For doctoral candidates, the application will require confirmation that the candidate was or still is enrolled at an institution in Ukraine. Should the MSCA4Ukraine grant be awarded, the host organisation is responsible to ensure the fellow is enrolled as a doctoral candidate, either at their home organisation in Ukraine or at the host organisation. A cotutelle arrangement is encouraged.

The eligibility criteria state that candidates must be (a) Ukrainian nationals, or (b) stateless persons, or (3) nationals from third countries other than Ukraine, with their primary residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022. If you were outside Ukraine on 24 of February but can prove that this was due to holidays or another short stay abroad and you still had your primary residence in Ukraine to which you were due to return, but instead found yourself displaced, you will be eligible. Information provided in the Eligibility self-assessment, and, if required, further clarification will be used to assess the eligibility status of each candidate taking into account personal circumstances.

The applicant organisation (prospective host institution) has primary responsibility for the verification and authentication of the documents relating to the candidate they will employ/host. This should be done in accordance with the host organisation’s admissions and hiring processes and applicant organisations may require certified translations for some documents. We do not require certified translations.

No, the research project itself does not need to be carried out in English. However, candidates must have the language skills required to successfully conduct their research activities at the envisaged host organisation. Both the application documents and correspondence with the Humboldt Foundation and SAR Europa must be in English.

Works not published in English may be included in the publication list with a translation of the work title and place of publication (e.g. the journal name).

Fellowships should begin as soon as possible following a successful evaluation. It is estimated that awarded fellowship projects would start in the second quarter of 2025.

Fellowships should generally not start later than 1 June 2025. Only exceptional or ad hoc changes of circumstances (e.g. a case of serious certified illness of the fellow; a previous research project or fellowship which ends by the end of June 2025; or similar) may be considered as valid reasons for a delay in the starting date of an MSCA4Ukraine fellowship.

Applications must be made through an online portal by host organisations on behalf of named researchers from Ukraine. By 5 August 2024, the link to the online portal will be published on the MSCA4Ukraine website. Further information on applying is provided in the scheme’s Terms of Reference for Applicants and application templates.

Generally, MSCA4Ukraine fellows need to be offered full time contracts, unless individual exceptional circumstances of the researcher, not linked to the general practice in the country, would justify offering a part-time contract.

If a researcher is actively seeking a part-time contract, a minimum of 50% full-time equivalence (FTE) is required.  As long as the MSCA4Ukraine employment contract is 50% FTE or more, then the scheme does not place restrictions on other contracts the researcher enters into. However, it would be the researcher’s responsibility to report any other part-time employment to their host organisation in keeping with the host organisation’s employment policies to ensure there is no conflict of interest or other issues. There might also be income tax related issues arising that would need to be addressed by the researcher/host organisation.

No. Current or former MSCA4Ukraine fellows are not eligible to apply for the 2024 MSCA4Ukraine call. The purpose of this call is to provide fellowships to displaced researchers from Ukraine who have not yet benefitted from MSCA4Ukraine funding.

Yes. You can apply for the 2024 call if you previously submitted an application for MSCA4Ukraine but have not been supported by an MSCA4Ukraine fellowship.

Yes. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree are considered as postdoctoral researchers and eligible to apply. However, the successful defence must be unconditional (no further requirements/corrections that need to be addressed) and take place before the call deadline. Supporting documentation may be requested.

Applicants are required to submit Application Outline (Part 1) and Full Application Proposal (Part 2) within the same application, which can then be assessed in a single or a two-stage evaluation process if so required.

In principle, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an aid in the application process is permissible. We do not require applicants to identify use[1].

 

[1] https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/fileadmin/Bewerben/Allgemein/Managing_generative_AI_Humboldt_Foundation.pdf

Parallel applications in different funding programmes (e.g. in MSCA and MSCA4Ukraine, or in MSCA4Ukraine and funding programmes of the Humboldt Foundation) are possible. However, double sponsorship must be prevented. If several applications are successful, only one fellowship may be granted.

Only the documents requested in the application form are to be submitted.

The relevant diploma is the first academic degree analogous to a PhD (кандидат наук).  

The MSCA4Ukraine Terms of Reference for Applicants, in section 4.3, stipulate that one of the eligibility criteria is that candidates have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022. Candidates who left Ukraine shortly before the war started (less than 6 months before 24 February 2022) for a clearly defined limited period of stay abroad of under one year in total and could make a convincing case that they intended to return to Ukraine may be considered eligible. For example, a researcher who left Ukraine in August 2021 to take on a one-year or longer position at an organisation outside of Ukraine (either under a fellowship or through employment) or stayed abroad due to private reasons will not be deemed eligible. Decisions on possible eligibility in this regard are made on a case-by-case basis.

No. MSCA4Ukraine falls under Horizon Europe Pillar 1. Institutions in countries which are not associated with Horizon Europe under Pillar 1 are not eligible to apply for MSCA4Ukraine. As both Canada and New Zealand are associated with Horizon Europe under Pillar 2, institutions from these countries are thus not eligible to apply for MSCA4Ukraine.

Not directly. The information provided in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA regarding MSCA4Ukraine concerns the project which then provides the fellowships. Directly relevant for the fellowship application is the information found on the MSCA4Ukraine Information for Applicants webpage.