UNESCO announced during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) that it had signed an agreement with the Government of Flanders, the Flemish Region of Belgium, to support UNESCO’s Action Plan for Science in Ukraine, with assistance totaling approximately $600,000.
“In partnership with Flanders, UNESCO is strengthening Ukraine’s scientific sector through remote access to laboratories, support for research continuity, upgrades to marine monitoring equipment, and policy coordination. The support provided under the signed agreement amounts to approximately $600,000,” the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine said in a statement.
The support will be implemented as a two-year initiative aimed at providing emergency assistance to Ukrainian researchers and strengthening the resilience of Ukraine’s scientific ecosystem amid the ongoing war.
“The support is intended to give Ukrainian scientists greater opportunities to continue their research in Ukraine. In particular, the cooperation includes expanding Ukrainian researchers’ access to international laboratory equipment through the UNESCO Remote Access to Laboratory Equipment (UNESRALE) initiative. The initiative also envisages developing cooperation with the Flemish research and innovation ecosystem,” the ministry added.
The program also provides individual support packages for researchers to help cover the costs of purchasing research materials, publication expenses, short-term scientific visits, and maintaining research continuity.
Additional attention will be given to supporting women researchers, early-career scientists, displaced researchers, and scientists working in frontline regions. Particular focus will also be placed on researchers at the beginning of their careers and other vulnerable groups requiring additional support to continue their scientific work.
Overall, the initiative is expected to cover at least 100 universities and research institutions. It will be implemented in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, Flemish research institutions, and partners of the International Coalition for Supporting Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine.
