Ukraine's Education Ministry supports Horizon 2020 participation

17:37, 12.03.2015 1 min read

Serhiy Kvit, the Education and Science Minister of Ukraine, has called on the government to participate in the EU Horizon 2020 program which funds scientific research.

"This time when we have significant problems with funding of the scientific research, our universities, our research investments must get access to such a big grant program," Kvit said during a Cabinet of Ministers meeting.

According to Kvit, the agreement to join Horizon 2020 needs to be signed by March 20.

The general grant of the program totals EUR 80 billion. Kvit said that Ukraine would benefit from participation as this year Ukraine won't pay any dues and the EUR 35 million figure will be halved over the next six years.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk asked Kvit to explain in detail the importance of participation in this program to the heads of higher education institutions.

"We need to think about the future, and our future – a high IQ," Yatseniuk said.