Ukrainian Researchers Scheme

Update 02/05/2024: 

In June 2022, the IRC launched the Ukrainian Researchers Scheme to facilitate Ukrainian researchers supported by the Government under the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) to join research projects of IRC-funded principal investigators aligned to their individual research interests. Four awards were made under the Scheme in 2022.  A second round of the Scheme opened on 4 July 2023 which resulted in the creation of 8 more awards.

 

The scheme will continue to remain open throughout the course of 2024. However, it is important to note that as the allocated budget is currently exhausted, a reserve list is now in operation. The reserve list will be activated in order of ranking where budget becomes available.

 

Background

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, Ireland’s research funders have been engaging collaboratively on developments, in particular relating to how researchers from Ukraine who are arriving in Ireland due to the war can be supported by the Irish research system.

The Irish Research Council has made a provision to assist Ukrainian researchers supported by the government under the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). Irish Research Council-funded principal investigators (PIs) on current or forthcoming PI-level awards will be able to apply to the IRC for funding to add an eligible individual to the project where the individual’s research interests are aligned with those of the project. Eligible IRC-funded PIs can apply to add displaced researchers and research-related technical staff across the research career framework, including postdoctoral fellows and more experienced investigators, to their awards.

 

This scheme will adopt an EOI process, a shortened application form and an expedited review process. It seeks to build on and complement other systems and supports introduced by Irish Government departments and agencies.

What we offer

Awards can have a maximum duration of 12 months. The budget requested and the award duration must reflect the scale and nature of the proposed research. Activities funded should relate, and add value to, the original award objectives. Funding must be associated with clearly identified individuals and activities. Eligible costs include:

• Salaries
• Materials and consumables up to a total of €2,000 per researcher
• A contribution of €1,000 towards the purchase of a computer
• Overheads at 25% of total direct costs (excludes student fees and equipment costs)

How to apply

Please see the 2024 Call Document for further information about how to apply to this Scheme. All applications must be submitted by the research office of the host institution via email to ukrainianresearchers@research.ie.

 

Key dates

Research offices must notify the IRC of the intention to develop an application before it is progressed by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) form to ukrainianresearchers@research.ie. It is important to note that applications will only be accepted in instances where a completed EOI form has been received and approved by the IRC.

 

Once an EOI form has been approved by the IRC, each applicant will have a subsequent 28 days to submit their application form upon receipt of notification from the IRC.

If you do not find the answer to your query in the call documentation, you should contact the research office in your proposed institution which will provide information and clarification on the call. Research offices can send any queries they are unable to clarify to ukrainianresearchers@research.ie.