On 26 November 2025, Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas hosted the seminar-training “Horizon Europe 2026: Overview of Funding Opportunities and Budget Planning”, organised within the activities of the National Contact Point (NCP) “Legal and Financial Aspects” / “ERC”. The event aimed to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian researchers to participate effectively in the EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe.
Participants received up-to-date information on funding under the European Research Council (ERC) component, including the new ERC Plus grants to be introduced in the 2026 Work Programme. The speakers outlined the scope of this initiative, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and the place of ERC Plus grants within the broader ERC funding landscape. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss practical aspects of proposal preparation.
Olha Sulema, Head of the NCP for Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA), highlighted key opportunities available to Ukrainian organisations in 2026.
NCP representative Mariia Dubniak presented the Horizon Europe funding map for 2026, with a particular focus on upcoming calls and participation conditions.
Participants also noted the presentation delivered by Sergii Pugach, Head of the Euratom NCP in Ukraine (fission), which focused on the financial aspects of preparing international technical assistance projects. In his presentation, he provided a detailed overview of key financial planning requirements, common mistakes made by applicants, and practical recommendations for developing a competitive and well-justified budget. His clarifications regarding the financial logic of calls and the specifics of cost documentation proved valuable for researchers preparing project proposals for 2026.
The programme concluded with a practical workshop on “Lump Sum Budget Planning”. Tetiana Popova led the hands-on session for participants attending in person. Working in teams allowed attendees to practise budget development, understand approaches to cost justification, and gain experience in preparing project applications.
The seminar-training served as an effective platform for exchanging experience, acquiring new knowledge and developing practical skills. We hope that the tools gained during the event will help Ukrainian researchers participate more actively and confidently in international funding programmes, particularly Horizon Europe calls.
